What happens if you take birth control when pregnant

Some people might assume that getting pregnant while taking birth control isn’t possible. And well, this just isn’t true. Birth control is between  91% – 99% effective when it is used with perfect use. Although it has high rate of effectiveness, there are many ways that a woman can become pregnant without intending to.

So, what happens if you take birth control while pregnant? Is the birth control harmful to the baby or mother? Let’s find out below and discuss some of the reasons that you may become pregnant while taking birth control.

Reasons That You May Become Pregnant

Birth control pills are intended to lower the risk of pregnancy, and some women choose to use the medication to treat certain symptoms of menstruation. For example, some hormonal birth control can be used to regulate periods, reduce acne, and treat symptoms of PMS. Whatever the reason may be to take birth control, there’s always a chance that pregnancy may occur while taking the medication. Not all birth control methods have the same effectiveness, so you should always check the prescription label to find out how effective the birth control is.

Birth control failure can occur for many different reasons and can lead to an unintended pregnancy. So, if you’re wondering what happens if you take birth control while pregnant, you should first know the most common reasons that a woman can get pregnant while taking birth control. They are:  

Missing a dose of birth control – this is especially true for progestin only birth control, which needs to be taken every 24 hours. If a dose is missed or taken at a different time, the body receives an inconsistent level of hormones and may lead to pregnancy.

Vomiting – nausea and vomiting may occur if a woman becomes ill. If a woman experiences vomiting while taking oral contraceptive, there is a chance that the medication may come back up and the hormones will not be absorbed into the body.

Medications interfering – other prescription medication may counter the effects of birth control and reduce its effectiveness. If you’re taking any form of medication, ensure that your doctor knows before you start taking the birth control.

Improper storage – birth control needs to be stored in a dry place at room temperature (between 68 – 77 degrees). If it is exposed to either hot or cold conditions, the chemical makeup of the medication can be altered and reduced its effectiveness.

If any of these instances occurs and you have unprotected sex during this time, your chance of pregnancy increases.

What Harm Will Birth Control Cause to An Unborn Baby?

So, what happens if you take birth control while pregnant? Taking birth control in the early stages of pregnancy doesn’t appear to increase the risk of birth defects in unborn babies. The exposure from the hormones in birth control is not known to cause any birth defects or increase the chance of miscarriage. So, you shouldn’t be concerned if you kept taking your birth control because you didn’t know you’re pregnant.

If you think there’s a chance that you may be pregnant, take a home pregnancy test as a precaution. If the test is positive, stop taking the birth control immediately and visit your doctor.

Can I Use Birth Control While Breastfeeding?

Once a woman has become sexually active again after childbirth, couples should start thinking about a what method of birth control to use while breastfeeding. As we’ve discussed already, there is little risk involved with taking birth control during the early stages of pregnancy, but is there any risk to the baby while breastfeeding?

There is little evidence supporting that using birth control while pregnant causes problems. Something to keep in mind is that combination birth control containing estrogen may reduce milk supply and can cause blood clots. For this reason, your doctor will most likely prescribe a progestin-only birth control while breastfeeding.

If you’re still concerned and wondering what happens if you take birth control while pregnant, you should speak with your doctor to find out the possibility of there being any complications with your baby.

• About 9% of people who take birth control pills will become pregnant each year.
• If you get pregnant while using hormonal birth control like the pill or an IUD, it is important to stop using it as soon as possible.
• If you stop it early enough you shouldn't have complications during pregnancy or experience damage to your health or your baby's.
• This article was reviewed by Jane van Dis, MD, a board-certified OB-GYN and medical director of the Maven Clinic.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

In the US, nearly half of pregnancies happen by accident. Many occur because couples aren't using contraception. However, nearly 50% of unintended pregnancies occur because the birth control failed or the couple used it incorrectly.

If you get pregnant while using hormonal birth control like the pill or an IUD, it is important to stop using it as soon as possible. If you stop early on in pregnancy, there is a good chance you won't have any complications.

How birth control works

Many birth control methods use sex hormones to trigger changes in your body that prevent pregnancy. Elevated levels of hormones such as progestin, either alone or combined with estrogen, can prevent ovulation as well as thicken the tissue lining in your uterus so eggs can't join together with sperm or implant in the uterine wall.

The most common form of hormonal birth control is the pill, which 28% of Americans use to prevent pregnancy. Other methods that use hormones include vaginal rings, patches, subcutaneous implants, injections, and some IUDs.

What happens if you take birth control pills while pregnant

According to the CDC, nine%  of people who take birth control pills will become pregnant each year. That's because "although the effectiveness of birth control pills is very high when used perfectly (99.7%), the average woman will occasionally miss doses," says Dr. Yvonne Butler Tobah, MD, an OB-GYN at the Mayo Clinic.

Because accidental pregnancy is fairly common from failed or misused hormonal birth control, many developing embryos may be exposed to high levels of progestin and/or estrogen early on in pregnancy.

However, research indicates that this will not cause major problems for your health or the health of your embryo. For example, a 2016 study published in BMJ found that there was no link between taking birth control pills while pregnant and having a baby with birth defects.

What happens if you get pregnant with an IUD

If you get pregnant with an IUD, it's important to see a doctor and have it removed as soon as possible. Because there is an increased risk that you will have, what's called, an ectopic pregnancy, says Butler Tobah. 

Ectopic pregnancies happen when the fertilized egg implants itself in the fallopian tube instead of in the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies can be life-threatening and may require surgery as soon as possible.

Even if you have a normal pregnancy with an IUD, it may be important to have the device removed within the first trimester of pregnancy, if possible. Talk to a doctor about your options.

"Contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you think you might be pregnant, even while on a form of birth control," Butler Tobah says, adding that you can also start by taking an at-home pregnancy test.

Related stories about pregnancy and pregnancy tests:

• When to take a pregnancy test for the most accurate result
• Home pregnancy tests are very accurate if you use them correctly
• Pregnancy symptoms you can expect each trimester of your pregnancy and how to alleviate them
• Yes, you can get a flu shot while pregnant. Here's the best time to get it.
• Doctors debunk the 25 biggest pregnancy myths

Madeline Kennedy is a health writer for Insider covering a wide range of topics including reproductive and sexual health, mental health, nutrition, and infectious disease. Before joining Insider, Madeline worked as a health news writer for Reuters, and a domestic violence therapist. She has a master's degree in social work from UPenn and is interested in the intersection of health and social justice.

Read more Read less

What happens if you are pregnant and take birth control pills?

What happens if you take birth control while pregnant without knowing?