Missing the pill - odds?

[Aimz]

My DP and I are not actively TTC yet, although we plan to from December onwards.

I went away for the weekend to visit my parents, and forgot to take my pill with me, so I ended up missing 3 days of taking it. I am mid cycle. DP and I DTD last night. It was kind of heat of the moment and only after did I work out I was mid cycle and that it probably wasn't a good idea .

What are my chances of falling pregnant? Has this happened to anyone before?

[Jakabella]

Im not sure about the odds but I do know a lot of people that have fallen whilst still on the pill. I have missed the pill a few times and DTD but never became pregnant until I had been off it for a while. Good luck - either way you want it to go! xo

[KittyK]

I've heard of people falling pg whilst on the pill but don't know anybody personally. I'm on the mini pill and miss it all the time and I haven't gotten pg (that I know of ). Before we had DS I missed my normal pill quite a few times and never became pregnant until, like Jakabella, I had been off it for a year same when we started TTC. Hope it goes whichever way you want it to

[Aimz]

I'm pretty certain I won't be pregnant. My Mum had a real struggle falling PG with my brother and I due to endometriosis (they were TTC for 4 years), and in 2009 I had surgery to remove endometriosis as well. While there has been no indication that it has returned since then, I still have a feeling it will take me a while to fall PG when we do start officially trying.

Regardless, we would be happy either way

[Phteven]

If you do fall pregnant on the pill it is usually more likely just after a bleed rather than mid-'cycle'. That is because your cycle is not actually a cycle - the sugar pills imitate a period but they are actually a withdrawal bleed so at the end of your 'period' you are more likely to be ovulatory than if you were midway through a pack.

[Kazzo]

My first pregnancy (and MC) was when I was on the pill and I only missed 1 day, but I have always had issues with the any contraception that is hormone based and don't use them anymore.

[Aimz]

So really, the sugar pills mean a 7 day break from the pill at which point ovulation is more likely to occur. But if I've missed 3, there is still the chance it will have the same effect right?

I honestly can't wait to stop taking it just so I know what my body actually does during a real cycle!

[Phteven]

^ yep, the reason that the sugar pills are included is because from a psychological perspective women feel more secure with a period so when they started making them in the 50's they went with that but there is some of evidence to suggest that with modern contraception and less extended breastfeeding that modern women bleed more than our ancestors ever did and it may not actually be in our best interests. The are some pills available now that come in a packet with no sugar pill phase and quite a few women choose to just skip the sugar pills and avoid periods. when I was on the pill I used to take the sugar pills every 3rd cycle (or 4th if I had something planned on the 3rd) because I hate having my period. Some women get breakthough bleeding if they skip the sugar pills so it doesn't work for everyone.

[Aimz]

I have been known to skip periods (when on holidays etc) but most months I do have it. I don't actually take the sugar pills though - I just have a 7 day break from taking the pill.

[Mum2Romone]

No , On the seven day 'sugar pills' your body bleeds because it imitates a cycle and has no hormones controlling it . Ovulation can only occur if an egg is released and an egg wont be released because you suppressed it with the pill.... it would take a withdrawal bleed then prob 7-10 days later you would ovulate... You dont automatically ovulate once you miss a pill or two ... and even if you do release an egg the chances arent that high...

Although people do fall pregnant on the pill...

If you intend to ttc in December , maybe now wouldbe the right time to stop taking the pill altogether and start using condoms until then, so your cycle has a chance to regulate again. Alot of people come of the pill and think they will get pregnant or ovulate the next cycle and its not always the case. Dr's recommend three cycles off the pill before ttc anyhow

Hope that helps

[Aimz]

Ideally I would go off the pill in December, and start trying after that. Timing wise, that is what suits us.

But I've never really been one to follow plans that well. What shall be, will be!

[DANNIIM]

I used to prior to DS1 take the pill and i tried skipping the sugar pills and continuing on and would work for a month or two then i would get break through bleeding and was told by a Dr you should only do it on a pill that is designed to do that.
It's also different for everyone. I come off the pill in April 2001 had a bleed after a week then had a normal AF about 6 weeks later, then fell preggo with DS1 the next cycle. Fairly quick for me - he was born April 2002.

[StrawberryFields]

Happened to us on our honeymoon! It was a rookie mistake on my part for not putting my pill in my carry on, but long story short our bags got lost in transit and did a nice little tour of north america for 2 days thus 2 days of no pill, also apparently mid-cycle. We're expecting our twins anytime from mid this month.

But tbh we'd been playing it pretty fast and loose, and I forgot to take my pill on the way over crossing the dateline and stuff (we went to the US). I think you have to be pretty lucky (or unlucky) to nab a sticky one off one or two missed pills, and it probably also depends on your natural fertility as a couple. Mum said her side of the family are pretty fertile turtles, and DH's family are the same, so its no wonder it happened to us - its more of a wonder it didn't happen sooner really!

You've already mentioned the endometriosis issue, and a family history of difficulty TTC, so you're probably right, you're probably not pg, but stranger things have happened and nature works in mysterious ways, so keep an eye on things because you just never know!

[Aimz]

In contrast to what *could* be fertility issues for me, DP's semen analysis came back as "exceptional" according to his GP last week with WAY above average results for sperm count and motility. So that's always a good thing!

[Mad Scientist]

My friend fell pregnant when she was on the pill and she hadn't missed one day! It's pretty rare though. Good luck either way!! x

[Footsteps]

Good luck Aimz xxxx

[Jellybean29]

Introducing my son Jacob John......

Pretty much same scenario and now I have a 3 month old!! I wouldn't change things for the world though!

[Aimz]

Introducing my son Jacob John......

Pretty much same scenario and now I have a 3 month old!! I wouldn't change things for the world though!

Haha well I guess I'll know soon enough! Am carrying on with things as if I'm not though. My chances are pretty low I would think.