If you think you might be pregnant and have a question:

[Ashelen]

First of all: I am NOT an expert, nor do I claim to be. But I noticed a lot of women have the exact same questions and they're generally very easy answers, so I thought I would post a few general question/answer groups to help women looking for quick answers. Again...not an expert, and when in doubt, call your doctor!!!!

Q:I missed some active birth control pills this month, and had unprotected sex, could I be pregnant?
A: Yes, you could be. Wait for your period and if it's late, take a Home Pregnancy Test (HPT).

Q: I missed some inactive birth control pills this month and had unprotected sex, could I be pregnant?
A: It's highly unlikely. Inactive pills (or for some types of birth control, the week that you DON'T take pills so your period can occur) are taken during the time of your cycle where you are highly unlikely to ovulate, and therefore highly unlikely to become pregnant. If you're worried, test.

Q:I had unprotected sex yesterday (or in the last few days) and I'm nauseous, am I pregnant?
A: Too early to tell. You must wait until you miss your period to take a HPT. If you do not miss your period, you are probably not pregnant.

Q:I had unprotected sex this month, but my period still arrived. I have heard that some women still have their period while pregnant. Am I pregnant?
A:This type of bleeding is actually called "early pregnancy bleeding" or "hormonal bleeding" and is NOT your period. It is VERY similar though, and if you had unprotected sex, yes you may be pregnant. If your HPT comes back negative and you still think you're pregnant, go to the doctor.

Q:I had unprotected sex this month and my period is late. Am I pregnant?
A: There is no way for any of us to tell you. Take a HPT, and if it's negative but your period still hasn't started in a few days, test again. If it's still negative, see your doctor, he may want to run tests.

Q:I had unprotected sex with my partner but he pulled out before he finished. My period is now late, could I be pregnant?
A: Yes. the pull-out method is not 100% effective. Men leak sperm during almost the entire length of intercourse, so yes you could be pregnant. Test.

ALSO: It is helpful to note that even if you don't miss any birth control pills, if you are over 180lbs then the pill is less effective for you. If your period is late, you need to take a test. Often they recommend back-up methods for overweight women who are on the pill/patch.

anyone else who wants to add any question/answer groups to this would be VERY appreciated, I just see a lot of women asking questions and desperately seeking answers and this way maybe they can find an answer faster.
AGAIN I am NO EXPERT.

<3 to everyone and Super Sticky Baby Dust!!!!

[Ashelen]

well yeah of course they want support and I always try to answer someone who's scared/worried or nervous. But sometimes all they want is a quick answer, and I was trying to be sensitive to that too. Sometimes they just want a "i missed a pill, should I worry" answer...a lot of the women with those questions aren't TTC, I've noticed. No you don't take more pills when you're over 180lbs, that's not what I meant, i meant back-up like condoms. And because you're only 16lbs over the limit you're probably not in the risk category for less effective BC. Usually they mean if you're seriously over 180lbs, and they simply use 180 as a baseline, because that's the weight they've noticed higher failed BC incidents at. The only reason I mentioned it because a woman who takes her pills regularly and is like 200+ finds herself missing a period....yes, she took her pills, but yes she should test, because it's more possible than it would be for a woman 180-. Opinions always welcome...I did not post this as a "shut up and stop asking OMG" I posted this as a "I've noticed several repeated questions and if you're looking for a quick answer try this:" kind of thing, so that they don't have to wait for answers. a lot of time no one answers those poor women and they're just waiting around, you know? :)

[gillianl]

i don't believe for one minute everyone over 180lbs needs extra bc.  I have been round about 196lbs since i was 19 years old and i'm now 24 and have NEVER had to receive any more bc pills than what the doctor gave me.  Yes i do believe some questions are silly that are asked and you almost know the answer but like myself after ttc for 28 months all you want is some reassurance from time to time and people other than family to chat to and i must admit a lot of the ladies on this site have been fantastic with replies to myself.

I know it can get frustrating but everyone worries and stresses from time to time when they think they may be pregnant and we all need some reassurance from time to time.  i don't mean to sound like a witch but do take these peoples thoughts and feelings into consideration as a lot of people forget how they first felt when ttc, it can be a lonely and stressful journey.  just my opinion ladies!!!

[Ashelen]

Thanks JoyRenee...I may look into that.

[JoyRenee]

You can create your own health page in the Health Pages, located at the top of your screen. Here is a link:

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=98

Then simply direct women who ask these questions to your post in the Health Pages.

[Sunkissed19]

i think this is a good idea! nice job, i hope women who have the "am i pregnant?" questions will look at this!