I am worried my girlfriend might be pregnant.

alecross

After we had sex the other night, I pulled out and noticed the condom had broken, she immediately took a shower and we got the morning after pill
the next morning in from boots pharmacy (roughly 8 hours after the act).

The pill was taken successfully, no side effects yet.

Now she tells me theres nothing else that can be done except wait about
3 weeks to see what happens.

The only form of contraception we have been using is condoms.

I'm going out of my mind and Its only been 3 days so far, is there
anything else i can do, or that we can do, 3 weeks seems like a long time to wait.

fungun

there is nothing else to do but wait. Taken within the first 24 hours, the morning after pill has a success rate of ~95% so you will probably be alright, but there is a chance she will be pregnant. Try not to worry too much as there is not much you can do about it at this stage!

Id consider other methods of contraception if you are having regular sex, as you can see condoms can break or be less effective if not used correctly.

tinkerbell

MAP is most effective if taken within the 24 hours as someone else posted.

Using condoms by themselves I think is a bit risky as they could break, can you look into another form of contraception? Your gf also doesn't really wanna be taking the MAP a lot, it wreaks havoc on your cycle since it's a lot of hormones. I'd suggest your gf talk to her GP/pharmacist about what to expect after taking the MAP since it can change your cycle and therefore when to know she's in the clear.

Anyway, not much you can do - unless you get one of those pregnancy tests which can test quickly? Also, not sure why your gf showered, if semen got into her you can't exactly "wash it out".

ElleEm

Stress can delay a period, so tell your girlfriend to try calm down (easier said than done, I know).

I also agree with Fungun, maybe look at doubling up on contraception for future.

floorpie

She's almost 100% not pregnant. Stop fretting.

maybe look at doubling up on contraception for future.

Just to clarify, this means using two forms of contraception, not two condoms.

Neyite

floorpie wrote: »

Just to clarify, this means using two forms of contraception, not two condoms.

Absolutely Correct!

The bright sparks who think that they are "twice as safe" by doubling up on condom use actually reduce the effectiveness and increasing the risk that they will break.
2 condoms used together cause friction between the latex, which is quite delicate, and makes them much more likely to rip.

Its very very rare that pregnancy occurs when the MAP has been taken within the first 24 hours. Try not to worry.

OkayWhatever

yeah i'd say it's very unlikely she's pregnant.

If you're freaking out about it so much you both should be a lot more serious about contraception. Have a talk about it and get it sorted asap, it's not worth the risk IMO. I'm sure ya don't want this happening again.

alecross

Thanks everyone for the replies so far,

To be honest we thought we were being safe, but then when this happens you suddenly realize there was no backup, as im sure my post indicates, this is the first time this has ever happened to us.

I am still very worried, can't help it, I'm being cool and calm around my girlfriend as best I can, definitely getting a more "time of the month" feel from her emotionally at the moment which could be the effects of the pill or her way of worrying.

I am I suppose genuinely surprised at my reaction to all this, the thoughts of moving in together, even getting married some day, none of that has ever scared me, quite the opposite but this does.

I know, assuming everything is ok in few weeks we need to sort out our 2nd line of defense, I'll be making sure of that.

In the meantime the waiting continues.

um7y1h83ge06nx

Another thing to be aware of is if she is really fretting about this and anxious it MAY delay her period for a little while so you might have to wait a few days longer.

I feel your pain though. My GF and I are only using condoms at the moment too. We would use hormonal contraception but for other medical reasons she can't be prescribed any hormonal contraception at the moment.

alecross

To be honest I think at least on the surface I seem to be the one fretting more, she's still in college and I would feel completely responsible for destroying her student career and tying her down, not quite the image I want people to have of her, she's so bright with amazing potential for a great career.

Plus I'm sure her family would most likely want to metaphorically kill me.

Trust me the one thing I want for Christmas this year is the text message or call saying were in the clear.

Has this happened to anyone already here before?

floorpie

These things happen, and like you, i internally...freaked out every single time. I think it's only natural.

To be honest though, the chances of her being pregnant even if you were *trying* would be slim enough, but after taking the MAP correctly, i really don't think you need to be worrying.

um7y1h83ge06nx

Yeah, you have done everything you can really.

alecross

Hopefully alls fine, It's the waiting really, sure I'm scared of what the result might be but if I could know right now I'd really want to.

I know I'm probably blowing it totally out of proportion, we took the MAP well within the recommended time (about 8 hours after), and theres people who've taken it 24 + hours after and have been fine too, my mind really is terrible though at bringing on the guilt and what ifs

curlzy

Hey OP,

You'll be grand. The odds are so low you might as well worry about getting struck by lightning (like the chances of her having concieved and that the MAP failed). I've taken the MAP twice in the last year (broken condom), i didn't get any side effects and I'm not pregnant, just try to relax.

I can't take other contraceptions, I've tried the pill, both types, implanon (the hormone implant) depo injections, contraceptive patches and the ring. Unfortunately none of them work properly for me and all of them destroy me with crazy monthly cycles, weight gain and greasy skin & hair. So yeah if you are going to look at extra contraceptions please don't just heap that responsibility on your girlfriend, go with her to the Family Planning Clinic and discuss all the options. If she's like me, it would just not be an option for her to be on any kind of hormone.

Hopefully they'll have a male contraceptive pill out soon, my bf wants to try it when it comes out.

best of luck

shellyboo

If she says you need to wait 3 weeks, she was at the very beginning of her cycle. If she's regular in her cycle, ovulation should occur around halfway, 14-day mark. So she most likely wasn't fertile to being with, AND she took the MAP.

You will both be FINE. There is all of one week a month when a woman is fertile, it might have been the wrong time, and you used the MAP anyway. It'll be grand, really. Really really!

alecross

A follow up question, my girlfriend has told me today that her period has started, which makes it 2 weeks early, does this normally happen when taking the MAP, i know we were told it could be a bit early or late but 2 weeks early seems like a lot, anyone else experience this?

tinkerbell

alecross wrote: »

A follow up question, my girlfriend has told me today that her period has started, which makes it 2 weeks early, does this normally happen when taking the MAP, i know we were told it could be a bit early or late but 2 weeks early seems like a lot, anyone else experience this?

OP, your gf needs to talk to her doctor or pharmacist about this. The MAP is a lot of hormones and as I said previously, it can mess up your cycle after taking it - in that it might come sooner / later. Everyone is different. Speak to a professional about it and they can advise you.

nowyouresix

OP: yes it can. Once after I had to take the MAP I bled for 18 days.
At least you know now you both are not going to be parents yet.

JustAThought

Aaah: what a mess!!!!! With the MAP you and your GF should be ok, but seriously you are playing Russian roulette wih no contraception; condoms really don't count as the stats are 1 in 4 breaks or dosnt work effectively .it's a numbers game. If your GF is in college chances is she's not taking thenpikl CIA she dosnt have the money to buy it; doctors visit & monthly cost; repeat doctors visit after 5 months for another prescription. Now that you ve had a serious fright ( dreadful!) go wih her & if you need to wait in reception do, but pay for the visit & then go to the pharmacy & cash in the whole prescription so she will have them & no mire worries.
( other than remembering to take them!!
Fair dues to you for being so proactive & worried. You re supposed to have a few years if live & romance & funtines before the worry and responsibility of a baby :0

LegacyUser

"condoms really don't count as the stats are 1 in 4 breaks or dosnt work effectively"

I would like to know where you are getting that statistic. As far as I am aware with correct use the stat is more like 98%.

I'm glad that it looks like the OP's girlfriend is not pregnant. Just to add that your girlfriend may not wish to use a hormonal contraception as well as condoms. Some posters seem to have the attitude that taking the pill is par for the course for women. Well it's not. And it shouldn't be. Let your girlfriend make up her own mind. Frankly I think it is unnecessary to use both condoms and the pill but that's just me.

alecross

So it is possible for the MAP to induce a period so early, ok, my gf is going to her doctor sometime this week hopefully anyway but it certainly helps to know some of these things in advance.

Wasn't entirely relieved or put at ease when little under a week after her taking the MAP that she would have her period, i thought maybe it could have been something else: (implantation bleeding for example, or something, stupid google).

In terms of additional contraception were definitely going to look into it, it will be absolutely at my insistence, I'm not going through this again, to be fair now this is the first break we've had in nearly 2 years but we wont be chancing it anyway, now I doubt I'll convince her to go for the pill hormone option permanently so can anyone suggest alternatives, barriers etc?

barleybooley

alecross wrote: »

In terms of additional contraception were definitely going to look into it, it will be absolutely at my insistence, I'm not going through this again, to be fair now this is the first break we've had in nearly 2 years but we wont be chancing it anyway, now I doubt I'll convince her to go for the pill hormone option permanently so can anyone suggest alternatives, barriers etc?

OP, seriously, you need to relax or you're never going to enjoy sex again! Condoms are really good form of contraception alone, 98% is pretty decent! And that does not mean 2 out of every hundred couples using a condom for sex once will get pregnant (I *THINK*), it means 2 out of every hundred couples having regular sex using condoms per year will get pregnant.

But, if you feel this isn't enough, maybe you could use the withdrawal method (pulling out) in conjunction with the natural method (if she has a regular cycle) and maybe buying those fertility testing things (I don't know much about these, they test to see when you're ovulating) as well as condoms then you should be absolutely baby free for as long as ye decide.

But seriously, stop freaking out or it'll destroy yer sex life!

January

Have a look here OP

http://www.thinkcontraception.ie/Contraception-Choices/Female-Contraception.66.1.aspx

JustAThought

WTF: I cannot believe the old wives tales that are being posted up above : withdrawal " method" Are you INSANE? OP this is the kind of nonsense that will leave you rocking a cradle almost on your first attempt. And the figure quoted if 98% is NOT correct for condoms. That's more like the figure for the pill.
I cannot believe that this kind of catholic church contraception nonsense is actually being posted here. You want a baby : use " withdrawal" - its the fastest way to guarantee one. A million sperm already on the loose up there and you think doing a u turn will stop them?

Isn't there a famous woody Allen skit and a durex condom ad parody on this.
Really; in good faith it may have been posted but it's just ridiculous baby making advise.
I can't watch this being advocated and say nothing.
bTW the other " suggestion" of " natural cycle" : his was the advise book given to convent girls thirty years; te name for all of the thousands if babies BORN after using this useless method was " Billibgs Babies" - after the man who invented it. as contraception it dosbt work. Family planning clinics will tell you 1 in 4 condoms fail : do youwant to be the 25% - and gamble that every time ? How long do you want to hope uour luck runs fir; it's a numbers game. It is NOT 98, or anywhere near.

barleybooley

JustAThought wrote: »

WTF: I cannot believe the old wives tales that are being posted up above : withdrawal " method" Are you INSANE? OP this is the kind of nonsense that will leave you rocking a cradle almost on your first attempt. And the figure quoted if 98% is NOT correct for condoms. That's more like the figure for the pill.
I cannot believe that this kind of catholic church contraception nonsense is actually being posted here. You want a baby : use " withdrawal" - its the fastest way to guarantee one. A million sperm already on the loose up there and you think doing a u turn will stop them?

Isn't there a famous woody Allen skit and a durex condom ad parody on this.
Really; in good faith it may have been posted but it's just ridiculous baby making advise.
I can't watch this being advocated and say nothing

Wow, just wow. Well, cheers for taking the chance to read my post in its entirety. You failed to notice that I said all of this IN ADDITION TO using condoms, quite blatantly actually, wasn't like I just implied it. And tbh, I'm not religious at all but cheers for making an attack on a belief you thought I held.

OP, this nonsense about one in four condoms breaking is absolute rubbish. Just talk to any healthcare proffessional to confirm this. Obviously nothing is going to be 100% but with every additional precaution you take, you're reducing your chances and also well done for being so proactive about safe sex, the amount of people I know that sleep with others on one night stands and use NOTHING would floor you, no lie.

ted1

Sorry 1 in 4 condoms do not fail. That is pure nonsense, I can't believe you posted such rubbish. They are about 98 or 99% effective. If 1 in 4 failed the population would be much higher.

Morag

January wrote: »

Have a look here OP

http://www.thinkcontraception.ie/Contraception-Choices/Female-Contraception.66.1.aspx

that's a pretty crapy piecemeal site.

http://www.ifpa.ie/eng/Media-Info/Contraception-Factsheets

Has a lot more and a lot better info.

Wait .. people actually use the double condom thing? I thought that was some form of joke!

OP, you need to stop worrying so much. As somebody said, it could completely ruin your sex life

28064212

JustAThought wrote: »

WTF: I cannot believe the old wives tales that are being posted up above : withdrawal " method" Are you INSANE? OP this is the kind of nonsense that will leave you rocking a cradle almost on your first attempt. And the figure quoted if 98% is NOT correct for condoms. That's more like the figure for the pill.
I cannot believe that this kind of catholic church contraception nonsense is actually being posted here. You want a baby : use " withdrawal" - its the fastest way to guarantee one. A million sperm already on the loose up there and you think doing a u turn will stop them?

Isn't there a famous woody Allen skit and a durex condom ad parody on this.
Really; in good faith it may have been posted but it's just ridiculous baby making advise.
I can't watch this being advocated and say nothing.
bTW the other " suggestion" of " natural cycle" : his was the advise book given to convent girls thirty years; te name for all of the thousands if babies BORN after using this useless method was " Billibgs Babies" - after the man who invented it. as contraception it dosbt work. Family planning clinics will tell you 1 in 4 condoms fail : do youwant to be the 25% - and gamble that every time ? How long do you want to hope uour luck runs fir; it's a numbers game. It is NOT 98, or anywhere near.

Ok, there's so much wrong in this post it's hard to know where to start.

First of all, you really need to understand what is meant by "failure rate" with regards to birth-control methods. Even if the condom failure rate was 25% (it's not), that doesn't mean 1 in 4 condoms fail. It means that if 100 average couples used condoms as their only method of contraception for a year, 25% would experience an unintended pregnancy.

Secondly, the condom "typical-use" failure rate is 15% (source - this is pretty much the standard for contraceptive-effectiveness measurement), not 25%. Btw, typical-use also includes couples who simply forgot to use the condom on occasion. With "perfect-use" (i.e. condoms are used both consistently and correctly), the failure rate is 2%. And remember, that's 2 out of 100 couples who will fall pregnant over the course of a year, not 2% of times you use a condom.

Btw, the withdrawal method's typical-use failure rate is 27%. Perfect-use is 4%.

Fittle

OP, perhaps it's just me, but in the eventuality that your girlfriend IS pregnant, nobody's life has to stop, nobody's career choice has to be changed...even IF there is a child in the mix, life still goes on and both of your hopes and dreams CAN be achieved.

Upon reading some of the replies, the assumption that IF she's pregnant, it might just be the worst thing in the world, is so far from the reality of how life continues when there's an unplanned pregnancy, that these attitudes scare me.

LegacyUser

28064212 wrote: »

Btw, the withdrawal method's typical-use failure rate is 27%. Perfect-use is 4%.

This is true. The reason the figures are skewed is that a lot of men can't/don't control ejaculation. But for those who can, it works very well. Lots of couples use withdrawal for years, myself included (although I'm now pregnant with a planned baby . I know a doctor and his wife who've used it all their married life as well. The issue is that you have to really trust your partner, so it's only really suitable for VERY secure couples.

I agree that women going on hormonal contraception should not always be the automatic choice.

Taltos

OP - believe we can call it a day on this thread now with the wealth of information provided to your original query which appears to be resolved.

Taltos