Okay, mommies, I'm a little embarrassed about the stupidity of my actions and I also did not pay enough attention in sex ed to know the answer to my dilemma. Now that that's out of the way, here's my question!
I ran out of pills and my insurance requires me to order prescriptions by mail. So, in the time it took to get the pills, my hubby and I had a little thing called an anniversary and one thing led to another. We had a baby almost ten months ago and I'm breast feeding, so I haven't had a period since before my pregnancy.
My question is this. Since I have no period to figure out ovulation, how soon can I take a home test to know if I'm pregnant as I know you shouldn't start the pill if there's a chance you're pregnant? And, once I start the pill, how long do I need to be back on the pill to be sure it's back in my system long enough to be effective?
Ah, such delicate questions, but I know the mamasource mommies will come through!
Thanks for everyone's advice! It sounds like since I'm on a POP only pill (due to the breastfeeding), it might be safe to go ahead and start this pack. Did I get that right?
I was told to wait two - three weeks of either not having sex (YEAH RIGHT!!!) or use condoms ect. and after that two - three weeks take a test if it comes up negative than you should be good to take the pill again (I got this info from a doctor last time i started the pill!) I hope everything works out well!!!!
My doctor put me on the pill at my first follow-up visit after I had my son. I had not had my first period yet and I was also breastfeeding. Because of the breastfeeding, she prescribed something with less hormones or a different hormone or something so that it wouldn't affect my son. The pill shouldn't affect your possible pregnancy because you wouldn't be very far along. A lot of women end up drinking, smoking, and doing other hazardous things before they know they're pregnant and they usually have normal, healthy babies. So if you want to start the pill again, I'd think it would be perfectly safe as long as you stop once you find out if you're pregnant or not. If in doubt, ALWAYS call your doctor.
As for the home test, the boxes say you can test as early as 10 days after you think you conceived, but if you don't produce high levels of HCG it won't pick up on it and you'll get a false negative. I got a false negative at 6 weeks with my son and a positive at 7 weeks. So it all depends on how much HCG you produce. Good luck though! And don't worry, you're not the only one with questions about the pill. I only know this stuff because I asked my doctor.
Since you are still breastfeeding there is a birth control pill that is made for breastfeeding mothers. You are best to get the prescription for that. The regular pill can affect your breastfeeding. And before you start you should get a pregnancy test from your doctor to make sure you are in the clear. If you are in the clear you can start the pill on the first Sunday after you get them. You have to take it for a month before you are clear to not have to use extra protection for prevention of pregnancy.
Hey there, I am not a dr. either, but after I had my baby, and after the six week check up, I immediately got on a pill that was right for breast feeding mothers. I didn't have a period until after I started nursing which was about 11 months later, and then I switched to "normal" pills...Hope this helps....
J.,
I've been on the pill since I was 6 weeks PP. I have exclusively breast fed my 9 month old son and have not had my period return.
My OB put me on a POP, progesterin only pill. No hormones. The hormones could affect my milk and possibly make the baby upset.
I have to take it the SAME time every day or it is not effective, but I just set my alarm on my phone and take it like that.
You might ask your doctor about that.
If you think that you may be pregnant again, you should take a test to find out. If you think that you may just not have started your period yet due to breast feeding, but are still kind of concerned that you may be pregnant, it may be cheaper to have your ob/gyn do a blood pregnancy test, because you would know 100% for sure and not be tempeted to take repeated at home tests.
I think you have to be on the pill for at least a month before it becomes completely effective.
Get your OBGYN to do a blood test to see if you're pregnant!
Hi my name is M.. The first advice I can give you is relax, I didn't know the answer to this question myself about 20 months ago. If you haven't had a period in 10 months, then go ahead and get a test. Get one tonight, and take it first thing tomarrow morning. As for the pill question, depending on the brand, it takes 30 days for it to fully kick in. I would definitly see your doctor if you get a negative result and still haven't had a period. She/he can help you better with any other medical questions. Good Luck!, M. H.
I am not a doctor either but I am a pharmacist with 2 kids. You can take a test at anytime. I would probably take one now and repeat it in 4-5 days to verify that you are not pregnant. You can either take the POP (progestin only Pill, which does contain the hormone progestin, but does not contain any form of estrogen. This pill is not as effective as regular pills. If you have been nursing for 10 months you can go on the regular pill without it affecting your supply. Please discuss this with your OBGYN and they can help you pick the right one for you. Most insurance companies will allow you to get a one month supply from a local pharmacy now and then get the remaining refill from the mail-order pharmacy. Have your MD write a script for one month for the local pharmacy and another one for the mail-order!
I think you can test pretty early. As for the pill, if you do not get on the right one it will dry your supply up. I had the IUD Mirena put in at my 6 week check up. Per my doc it is the best thing besides nothing for a breastfeeding mom.
I am not a doctor...I don't think you can start the pill until after for first period. After you start taking it I think they say to take the 1st pill on the 1st day of your period and you are not "safe" until after your 1st packet is complete. You could talk to your dr about an IUD. It last 5 years and you can remove at anytime. I love it. I got it right after I had my baby.
Check with your doctor because they would not let me take the pill while I was nursing but my youngest is 11 so there may be new options you can take. You may want to ask your child's doctor as well as yours.
