Getting pregnant while on birth control isn't likely. However, there is a risk of birth control failure. Knowing the signs of pregnancy that may occur while you are on birth control is necessary to ensure that you and your baby get proper medical care as early as possible if you do get pregnant. While many of the signs of pregnancy while on birth control are the same as getting pregnant without birth control, the most common sign of pregnancy, a missed period, often isn't noticed while on birth control. As such, you must be on the lookout for some other signs of pregnancy.
Signs in the First Month
Breast tenderness and swelling are often the first signs noticed by a woman who gets pregnant on birth control. These symptoms are often attributed to premenstrual syndrome, so women may miss this sign. Fatigue is another early sign of pregnancy. This sign is often missed as well because it is attributed to stress or minor illness.
Signs in the Second Month
Morning sickness is usually the first sign of pregnancy that is noticed by a woman on birth control. In the beginning, this symptom may be mistaken for a stomach virus. But if the nausea and vomiting doesn't go away, she may visit a doctor who will test for pregnancy. Frequent urination is another sign that may be noticed during the second month of pregnancy. This symptom usually manifests between weeks six and eight of the pregnancy.
Other Signs
Some women may figure they are pregnant despite the birth control methods used when they start to experience food cravings, especially if they crave non-food items. A condition called pica is responsible for making a pregnant woman crave items such as starch, ashes or dirt. Pregnancy aches and pains are also a sign of pregnancy that will occur even if the woman is using birth control. Lower backaches, headaches and frontal ligament pain are all possible aches and pains.
