While the likelihood of getting pregnant while taking birth control as directed isn't high, it is still possible. As such, all women should be aware of the signs and symptoms of pregnancy. Getting proper prenatal care early in the pregnancy is vital to ensuring the health of both the mother and the baby. Any woman who has signs of a pregnancy while on birth control, which are similar to signs of pregnancy for a woman who isn't on birth control, should contact her physician immediately for a diagnosis of the signs.
Missed Period
One sign of pregnancy while on birth control is if your period doesn't start when you take the inactive or placebo pills. Women who take birth control that doesn't have a set of placebo pills each month and those on other forms of birth control such as a shot or IUD may not notice the absence of a period. In this case, a woman must be on the lookout for other signs of pregnancy. Some women may notice implantation bleeding 6 to 12 days after conception. This bleeding is often thought to be a light and short period.
Morning Sickness
As the hormones in the body change because of the pregnancy, nausea and vomiting are common. These symptoms are called morning sickness; however, morning sickness isn't limited to only mornings. It can happen any time of day or night. Women on birth control may have exaggerated morning sickness due to the high levels of hormones because of the birth control and the pregnancy. Food cravings are also possible; however, some women experience food aversions---a severe dislike for foods once enjoyed. These symptoms may be exaggerated by strong odors.
Breast Changes
Breast tenderness and swelling are possible symptoms of a pregnancy while on birth control. These changes are like those associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS); however, breast changes associated with pregnancy last longer. Additionally, the areola may become darker during pregnancy.
Aches and Pains
Lower back pain is common throughout a pregnancy. If you are on birth control and get pregnant, you may also experience a dull achiness in your lower abdomen. This achiness should be minimal. Any pronounced achiness or actual abdominal pain should be discussed with your doctor immediately. These aches and pain may feel worse than normal if you have pregnancy-related fatigue.
Urination and Constipation
As is the case in any pregnancy, frequent urination is possible during the first and third trimesters. Constipation is another symptom that affects some pregnant women.
