Do birth control pills really work?

It was six months into her pregnancy as Emily stood at her window reminiscing; her hand unconsciously rubbing her baby bump.

Though she and her husband had planned to have three kids, this would be her fourth, and going by the results of the sonogram, they would likely be twins.

She winced as she remembered the birth control pills she had been on after having her third child. Apparently, fate decided otherwise or better still, there were some things she didn’t do correctly as she took the pills. Even though she isn’t regretting carrying the pregnancy, she thought through the instruction the doctor gave her on how to take the pills, and then she realized what had happened. She remembered what she had missed taking the pills on some occasions; that must have been why.

Birth control pills are pills taken by women to prevent pregnancy. Birth control pills prevent pregnancy mostly by preventing ovulation; they contain synthetic forms of progesterone and estrogen.

They normally come in pill packs which have either 21 or 28 pills. The 21-day pill packs contain 21 active pills while the 28-day pill packs contain 21 active pills and seven inactive (placebo) pills.

However, it is important to know that, any time you forget to take a pill, you must use another form of birth control until you finish the pill pack. When you forget to take a pill, you increase the chance of releasing an egg from your ovary.

If you plan to start taking birth control pills, it is advisable that you see your doctor. If you are still having your period on the day that you have been told to start your pill pack, go ahead and start the pill pack anyway. You will get your next period about 25 days after starting the pill pack.

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