Signs of Pregnancy While On The Pill

The pill is very effective when used perfectly. However, neither the pill nor we are perfect. So, even if you're on the pill, there's always a chance of pregnancy. The most common reason for pregnancy when using the pill is because it's not taken consistently. Illness and vomiting, medications like antibiotics, or improper storage (extreme temperatures) can also affect the pill's effectiveness.

In this article, we'll tell you how to ensure the pill is as effective as it can be, and how you can check if you're pregnant while taking the contraceptive pill.

Can you get pregnant when taking the contraceptive pill?

The short answer is yes. You can get pregnant if you're on the pill. The pill is 99% effective, BUT (yes, in all caps) – these percentages are only achieved if you take the pill perfectly .

And therein lies the problem.

Taking the pill perfectly means always taking it at the same time and never missing a day. But life happens. And even after years of faithful use, things can go wrong, and you can forget to take your pill. That's why we often take the pill "normally" (not perfectly). This means you don't always take it at exactly the same time, and you might miss a day. This way, the pill remains 91% effective.

This still provides good protection, but you can also see that it doesn't offer a foolproof guarantee. Whether you take the pill regularly or perfectly, there's always a chance of pregnancy.

If you miss two or more pills in a row, there's a good chance something will go wrong. This means your body doesn't get enough artificial hormones (temporarily), and you can ovulate. If you have unprotected sex during ovulation, you can get pregnant.

Getting pregnant while taking the pill – how to recognize it

Some early pregnancy symptoms resemble pill side effects, which can be confusing. If you suspect you're pregnant while taking the pill, look out for the following recognizable symptoms:

You have no bleeding during the stop week

If you take the combined pill (the regular pill), you always have a seven-day break. The bleeding that occurs during this break is called withdrawal bleeding. It's not a true period. If you don't bleed during your break, it could be a sign of pregnancy.

It also works the other way around: if you're bleeding, you could still be pregnant. What else should you be aware of?

Nausea and vomiting

Another clear sign of pregnancy while on the pill is morning sickness (or nausea at other times of the day). If you suddenly feel nauseous or even vomit, pay attention, as this could be a sign of pregnancy.

Sometimes taking the pill on an empty stomach can also cause nausea, so always try to take your pill around or during a meal. If you still feel nauseous, it's advisable to take a pregnancy test.

If the test is negative, but you're still feeling nauseous or vomiting, it's advisable to use additional contraceptives. If you vomit within two hours of taking the pill, your body probably hasn't had enough time to properly absorb the pill and make it effective.

Sore or tender breasts

This is a slightly more subtle sign of pregnancy, but if you are pregnant, you may notice your breasts feel very tender. The pill can also cause this, so check carefully whether this is normal for your body or if your breasts feel different than usual.

Fatigue and headache

If you're pregnant, you might feel more tired than usual. This is a very normal symptom of early pregnancy.

But just like nausea and breast tenderness, the pill itself can sometimes also make you feel tired and give you a headache. This is due to the hormones, and it can be difficult to rule out what are the early signs of pregnancy and what might be a side effect of the pill. If you've missed two or more pills and feel much more tired than usual, you might be pregnant.

Good to know: The side effects of the pill

Changes in your abdomen

This might sound obvious, but when you're pregnant, you'll eventually notice changes in your belly. Especially between the 12th and 16th week of pregnancy, your belly will grow. Sometimes pregnancy can also cause bloating and constipation, which can quickly make your clothes feel a bit tighter.

If you have been pregnant before, you will notice this sooner because your belly has already stretched.

Need to urinate more often

Do you need to pee frequently? This happens at any stage of pregnancy. In the early stages, it's due to hormonal changes. Later, it can be caused by increased pressure on your bladder. In any case, if you're having to go to the bathroom more often than usual, it's worth considering your contraceptive use. Did you follow it perfectly? Was it normal? Or... did you miss a few? If the latter, it might be wise to take a pregnancy test.

More sensitive to odors

Does someone's perfume make you nauseous? Do you find the scent of certain places, flowers, or foods more intense than usual? You might have hyperosmia, a common condition during pregnancy that causes a heightened sense of smell.

Different taste

Just like with hyperosmia, you may notice that your favorite foods and drinks suddenly taste different or even unpleasant during pregnancy. This is called dysgeusia and is a sudden change in your sense of taste likely caused by pregnancy hormones.

It can make you taste certain flavors more intensely and develop an aversion to foods you normally enjoy. The reverse can also happen: you suddenly find something delicious that you normally never liked!

Sometimes you may have a sour or metallic taste in your mouth.

These are obvious symptoms you can't miss. So if you suddenly find yourself hating your essential morning coffee and craving pickles, pay close attention. You might be pregnant.

What to do if you think you are pregnant

If you think you are pregnant while taking the pill, the first step is to buy a pregnancy test-

If the pregnancy test is positive, stop taking the pill. However, don't worry if you took the pill while pregnant. The hormones in the pill won't harm your baby.

Are you unplanned and don't know what to do? Talk about it with your partner, friends, or family. You can also always contact Fara (Belgium) or Fiom (Netherlands). These organizations offer a listening ear, guidance, and advice on pregnancy choices.

Does the pill affect the results of a pregnancy test?

No. The pill doesn't affect the results of a pregnancy test. Pregnancy tests work by detecting a very specific hormone in your urine that's only produced when you're pregnant. This hormone is called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Pregnancy tests are very accurate, but it is recommended that you consult your doctor for a confirmatory blood test after a positive test.

Supporting your pregnancy

Some women worry that their baby will be at risk if they become pregnant while taking the pill. Studies show that this is largely a myth and that the pill does not cause birth defects.

Women trying to conceive usually take folic acid to support both their bodies and their babies before and during pregnancy. If you've become pregnant unintentionally, it's likely you weren't taking folic acid. But don't worry. Start taking it as soon as you find out you're pregnant.

Preventing unplanned pregnancy

Even if you don't take the pill perfectly, it's still very effective. How do you increase its effectiveness?

Stick to your routine

Take the pill at the same time every day. Link it to another daily habit, like brushing your teeth or packing your bag. Taking the pill at a fixed time keeps your hormone levels stable and reduces the risk of ovulation.

Stick to the stop week/take the placebo pills

Stick to the week off and don't extend it. This can make the pill less effective.

If you have a placebo pill, don't skip it. They don't contain any active ingredients, but skipping them can disrupt your routine, making it difficult to resume after the week off. It can also prevent you from starting your next pack on time and therefore ovulating.

Use extra protection

Some women choose to use another form of contraception in addition to the pill, such as a condom. This additional protection can provide extra security.

Always do this when taking medication. Some medications can reduce the effectiveness of the pill. For example, if you're taking antibiotics, you'll need to use another form of protection for at least a month.

Use the morning-after pill if necessary

Sometimes things go wrong, and that happens. Nobody's perfect. If you've had unprotected sex and realize you've missed a pill or two, you can buy a morning-after pill at the pharmacy. You can take it up to five days after unprotected sex, but remember: the sooner you take it, the more effective it is.

A morning-after pill contains synthetic hormones that prevent ovulation and implantation. The hormones in these pills can also prevent fertilization by preventing your ovaries from releasing an egg.

If you're already pregnant, this pill won't terminate the pregnancy. It's also not harmful to the baby.

Do you want to stop taking the pill?

The pill is a wonderful invention, and when used correctly, it can be very effective in preventing pregnancy. If you're considering stopping the pill and returning to a natural cycle, we can help.

Here you will find all the information you need about stopping the pill and restoring your natural cycle.

If you're looking for other hormone-free birth control options , read this blog.

Choosing the right contraception and everything related to pregnancy can be stressful, especially if it wasn't planned. Do you have questions? Need help? Or just need someone to listen? We're here to help .