Can I Get Pregnant If I Have Implanon The Birth Control Implant
Can i still get pregnant if i have the Implanon?
Implanon is the old brand name for the birth control implant. Its now available under the brand name Nexplanon. The implant is one of the most effective birth control methods out there its more than 99% effective. That means fewer than 1 out of 100 people who use the implant get pregnant each year.
The implant works by releasing the hormone progestin into your body. Progestin prevents pregnancy by keeping your ovaries from releasing eggs . Pregnancy cant happen if theres no egg to join with sperm. Progestin also thickens the mucus in your cervix, which blocks sperm.
For most people who use the implant, periods become fewer and lighter. Some people worry that theyre pregnant if they dont have a regular period, but this is a common side effect of the implant and doesnt mean youre pregnant. If you use the implant, you can be confident that the chances of pregnancy are very very low.
What About If I Am Being Prescribed Certain Medications
There are certain medications that will make the contraceptive implant less effective. This includes some HIV, epilepsy and tuberculosis medications, St Johns Wort and certain antibiotics such as rifabutin or rifampicin.
We recommend having a conversation with your doctor to ensure that any medication you are taking will not affect the effectiveness of your implant. If your medication does affect this method then we would recommend looking for another method of contraception that isnt affected by your medication.
- it may reduce heavy periods or period pain
Disadvantages:
- you may experience temporary side effects during the first few months, like headaches, nausea, breast tenderness and mood swings
- your periods may be irregular or stop altogether
- you may get acne or your acne might get worse
- youll need a small procedure to have it fitted and removed
- it doesnt protect you against sexually transmitted infections , so you may need to use additional contraception as well
If You Take Antibiotics While On The Pill
Theres a big, fat warning label on every pill packet that says taking antibiotics may lessen the efficacy of the pill, but many people dont read the fine print. However, theres only one antibiotic thats been proven to interfere with the pill: rifampin, which is used to treat tuberculosis and bacterial infections. Scientists claim that there isnt an issue when using other antibiotics. Their take is that pregnancy may occur because people may skip a pill or two when theyre not feeling well, or their bodies may not be able to absorb the hormones properly if theyre vomiting or have diarrhea. All that said, I know a decent number of pill-popping moms whove gotten pregnant while on antibiotics, so you probably dont want to chance it.
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Taking A Pregnancy Test
If you suspect youre pregnant, consider taking an at-home pregnancy test. These tests claim to be up to 99% effective. In most cases, the tests provide accurate results, but their reliability depends on following the instructions and not testing too early after conception.
Its also recommended to discuss your concerns and symptoms with your healthcare provider to ensure the IUD is working correctly. They may also perform a pregnancy test in the office to confirm whether you are pregnant.
What Is Gestational Age
The term gestational age basically means how far along into a pregnancy you are. Gestational age is counted by starting with the first day of your last menstrual period .
Gestational age can be kind of confusing, since it measures pregnancy from your last period about 3-4 weeks BEFORE youre actually pregnant. Common knowledge about pregnancy says it lasts 9 months, and its true that youre usually pregnant for about 9 months. But the way pregnancy is measured makes it a little longer. A typical full-term pregnancy ranges from 38-42 weeks LMP around 10 months.
Many people cant remember the exact date of their last menstrual period thats totally okay. Your nurse or doctor can find out the gestational age using an ultrasound.
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Weight And Fluid Retention
No doubt, you can expect to gain some weight during pregnancyanywhere from 2535 pounds is normal. Usually, the majority of weight gain happens in the second and third trimester.
Most of us dont have much problem putting on the appropriate amount of weight, as our hunger and need for calories increases. Although you shouldnt diet during pregnancy, experts recommend you focus on nutritious choices as much as possible.
Some of the weight gainespecially during the third trimesteris from water retention. Its common to have swelling in your hands, feet, and ankles, especially if you are pregnant during the summer. Like everything else, this discomfort will pass, but it can help to put your feet up, rest, and keep yourself cool and hydrated.
What Happens If You Take Birth Control While Pregnant
Nearly half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended. While some of these pregnancies undoubtedly happen without birth control measures in place, some of them happen because, well birth control measures arent foolproof.
So if youre one of the women whove been surprised by ineffective birth control, know that youre not alone.
And if youre now looking forward to your pregnancy but wondering what happens if you continue your birth control or if you are worried you did some harm by staying on birth control while unaware of your pregnancy status heres what you need to know.
First up, a reminder of what birth control is and how it works so you can better understand its effects on pregnancy.
Birth control is any method you use to prevent pregnancy. There are plenty of options out there: barrier birth control , surgical methods , and hormonal birth control are some of your options.
The most common form of hormonal birth control is the pill. Birth control pills are more than 99 percent effective when used correctly. Sounds almost foolproof, right? Not quite. Were human and sometimes we skip doses. That means the pill is only 91 percent effective in reality .
Those who want to avoid daily pills may prefer intrauterine devices or implants. These are more than 99 percent effective.
So lets say that youre among the number of women who do get pregnant while taking the pill. Youve got questions buzzing round your head. We got you:
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Changes In Your Body During Pregnancy: First Trimester
Last Updated February 2021 | This article was created by familydoctor.org editorial staff and reviewed by Leisa Bailey, MD
The first trimester of pregnancy can be exciting and scary. A persons body goes through a lot of changes. Some of these changes may begin before you even know or confirm you are pregnant. It can help to know what to look for and expect so you can prepare.
I advise my pregnant patients to prevent Listeria infection by avoiding high-risk foods and following basic food safety guidelines. Read More
When It Starts To Work
You can have the implant put in at any time during your menstrual cycle, as long as youre not pregnant.
If the implant is fitted during the first 5 days of your menstrual cycle, youll be immediately protected against becoming pregnant.
If its fitted on any other day of your menstrual cycle, youll need to use additional contraception for 7 days.
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Does The Omicron Variant Cause More Severe Disease In Pregnant Women
It can, and doctors say that there are a few reasons. “Because pregnant women have an aspect of immunosuppression that allows them to carry what amounts to a baby that is one-half genetically different than themselves, any illness has a potentially more dangerous effect on the pregnant woman,” Dr. Cackovic says. “Pregnancy additionally carries the risk of preterm birth, and we are seeing exceptionally high rates with COVID in general.”
Whether this will also happen with the Omicron variant is hard to tell, he says, adding that “more research is needed in this area.”
“Regardless of the variant, pregnant persons have a higher chance than non-pregnant persons of getting admitted to the hospital with COVID symptoms and needing to be transferred to the intensive care unit,” Dr. Simon says.
Experts say vaccination status matters too when it comes to the severity of the disease. A recently published Nature Medicine study out of Scotland found that 98 percent of pregnant patients who were admitted to the ICU for critical care due to COVID-19 were unvaccinated.
“Most people who are vaccinated and boosted do not get COVID,” says Dr. Simon. “And, if they are to get an infection, regardless of the variant, they have a much lower chance of getting hospitalized, an even more substantially lower chance of getting intubated, and an almost zero chance of dying.”
What Are The Signs Of Pregnancy
For a lot of people, the first sign of pregnancy is a missed period. Most pregnancy tests will be positive by the time youve missed your period. Other early pregnancy symptoms include feeling tired, feeling bloated, peeing more than usual, mood swings, nausea, and tender or swollen breasts. Not everyone has all of these symptoms, but its common to have at least 1 of them.
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Does It Matter Where Nexplanon Is Inserted
A Nexplanon implant is a long-term and effective birth-control method for women. In this method, a match-stick sized implant is inserted underneath the skin in the inner upper side of your non-dominant arm, about 8-10 cm above the elbow bone.
The particular location of the implant is very important due to the following reasons:
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Could I Have The Symptoms Of Early Pregnancy And Not Be Pregnant
Many of the symptoms of early pregnancy overlap with other medical conditions, as well as your typical menstrual cycle. Premenstrual symptoms can be very similar to pregnancy symptoms. This can make it difficult to tell the difference. You can also miss a period without being pregnant. This can happen when you exercise in extreme amounts, lose or gain a lot of weight, or even are stressed. Breastfeeding can also cause your period to stop for a while.
The best way to know youre pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. If you have missed a period and think theres a chance you could be pregnant, consider taking a test.
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Cockroach Giving Birth While Dying
The idea that pregnant roaches lay their eggs when killed is a myth. Its been around for decades. It likely developed because of a misunderstanding about how the cockroachs egg sac operates. The eggs within the ootheca are not fully developed and ready to burst out at a moments notice.
Instead, the cockroach nymphs are contained in long, cylindrical eggs inside the protective shell of the egg sac. They will stay there until the mother attaches their ootheca to a secure place, like underneath your fridge or wardrobe. Here, they will develop for another few days and then hatch.
With that said, its not 100% impossible for a roach to give birth while dying. If you kill a roach and see other small ones scurry away from its body, youve witnessed a rare sight. With that said, there are exceptional times when your attempts to kill a roach and its egg sac will fail. Its possible that this happened because:
What Happens If I Go Into Labour While I Have Covid
Youll still be able to have your baby as planned in a hospital or birthing centre, however you may not be able to have a water birth, as personal protective equipment, such as masks and gowns, are less effective if they get wet. You’ll still have access to pain relief and be able to give birth in whichever position works for you.
If you’re planning a home birth, your healthcare providers may recommend that you have your baby in a hospital instead.
During labour, both you and your baby will be monitored. Its not necessary to have a caesarean if you have COVID-19, unless there are other complications with your labour.
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Tips For You This Week
Fill up on folic acid
There’s no doubt that your body works overtime when you’re expecting so help give it the extra nutrients it needs to baby-build by getting 400 to 600 micrograms of folic acid daily from all sources, including your prenatal vitamin and folate-rich foods.
Research has shown that taking folic acid beginning when youre trying to get pregnant and continuing daily throughout pregnancy not only helps you conceive but has important health benefits for expecting women and their babies.
Folic acid can help reduce the risk of birth defects including congenital heart and neural tube defects in your baby, and has even been shown to lower your chances of gestational diabetes, preterm labor and miscarriage.
Ask your doc about meds
If youre taking a prescription, OTC or herbal med, ask your doctor ASAP about whether its safe to continue it during pregnancy.
Herbal preparations are not tested or approved by the Food and Drug Administration and are not required to undergo clinical trials. Translation: Their safety, or lack thereof, is unknown.
Even herbs that you’ve heard could be helpful during pregnancy may be harmful at some point during the next nine months. So always get the green light from your practitioner before taking any medication or herbal supplement of any kind.
Spot early pregnancy signs
You could be weeks away from taking a pregnancy test, but Mother Nature may give you a heads-up in the form of early pregnancy symptoms.
Shop for pregnancy tests
Getting Sick While Pregnant
Getting sick is never fun, but getting sick while pregnant is even worse. It is common for the immune system to weaken while you are pregnant, which makes you more susceptible to getting sick. Obviously, you want to do everything possible to avoid catching something, but dont be surprised if you do get sick while you are pregnant.
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How Effective Is Nexplanon
The Nexplanon implant is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when implanted correctly, which makes it one of the best contraceptive options for people who opt to use hormonal birth control. Its also a good choice for anyone who is sensitive to estrogen, since Nexplanon relies on progestin to prevent pregnancy.
Although the implant is not as widely used as the pill, it is far more effective and just as safe. Because it is a get it and go type of birth control, the likelihood of user errorsuch as forgetting to take your birth control pill every day, change your patch weekly, or swap out your NuvaRing every three weeksis eliminated.
Discuss Medications With Your Doctor
Let your pregnancy care professional know about any medications or supplements youre taking. Not all of them are safe to take during pregnancy because they can pass through the placenta.
However, you should never discontinue a medication before talking with your doctor either. Many medications, like antidepressants, can cause severe side effects if you stop them cold turkey.
A healthcare professional can help you make a plan for safely tapering any medications that arent recommended during pregnancy.
Some pain medications, such as ibuprofen are not safe to take during pregnancy. Your provider can also tell you which OTC medications you can take.
For example, if you have a headache or run a fever while youre pregnant, you can take acetaminophen . If you have allergies, you can take certain OTC medications, according to ACOG.
Your best bet, though, is asking your doctor what they recommend for your specific situation, so you can make sure its safe for both you and baby.
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How Soon Can I Get Pregnant After Nexplanon Is Removed
Immediately! The body becomes fertile as soon as Nexplanon is removed. With this said, however, keep in mind that youve had a long-acting form of birth control in your body . It can take up to 3 months for ovulation to return.
Nexplanon has also been working to thin the lining of your uterus, potentially making it more difficult for an embryo to implant immediately after Nexplanon is removed. It thickens back up quickly for most women , but it is best to give it a couple of cycles to recuperate. Dont be discouraged if pregnancy does not happen immediately, and keep in mind that pregnancy immediately of removal could carry a slightly increased risk for miscarriage.
If you have been using Nexplanon or other forms of birth control for many years, also keep in mind that age affects egg quality and chance of pregnancy. Every year after about age 25 your fertility slowly declines, making it ever so slightly more difficult to get pregnant as you age. Be patient with your body. Give it a full year of trying before considering infertility.
Should You Kill A Pregnant Roach
You can kill a pregnant cockroach without any consequences. Its no different from killing a normal cockroach.
According to the Journal of Insect Physiology, pregnant cockroaches have additional hormones. However, these are directed to forming the egg sac and drive the instincts for locating a safe place for the eggs.
The hormones dont make the pregnant cockroach more aggressive, stronger, or faster. Likewise, no hormone can cause the eggs to develop faster and hatch, let alone run for their lives.
In fact, its recommended that you kill pregnant cockroaches immediately. If you allow the mother to place her egg sac in a secret place to hatch, you may have up to 50 new cockroaches. Crushing, poisoning, or containing the pregnant mother can now help you prevent an infestation from worsening.
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