I've been reading your posts, and wanted to answer your most recent question. It sounds like you are wondering a few things:
1. Is it OK to continue taking birth control pills (specifically Yaz) if there is a chance of pregnancy, as could it cause birth defects?
2. Tuk's sister said that "this was better", after Tuk used "Instant Birth control" after sex. I assume this is "emergency contraception", or "Plan B", and that Tuk's sister said that emergency contraception, or EC for short, is better than regular birth control?
3. Tuk's dependence on you to remember to take her pill daily
Here are some answers to the above questions, in order...I hope this helps!
1. According to the Yaz patient information brochure (from Bayer), they are saying that there is no evidence that birth control pills cause birth defects in early pregnancy, just as what I read from other company's birth control pills. Here is Bayer's exact words: "There is no conclusive evidence that oral contraceptive use is associated with an increase in birth defects when taken inadvertently during early pregnancy. Previously, a few studies had reported that oral contraceptives might be associated with birth defects, but these studies have not been confirmed. Nevertheless, oral contraceptives should not be used during pregnancy."
If you think about it, a pregnancy is confirmed at about "week 4" (when a woman misses her period, and takes a pregnancy test). And, actually...she has only been pregnant for TWO weeks (not four) at this time. (for due date purposes, a woman's pregnancy is counted from date of ovulation...which happens approximately two weeks before the actual implantation of the fertilized egg, when a viable pregnancy occurs). Does this make sense? I wanted to give you this additional information, as the worry of birth defects is understandable, but if Tuk does become pregnant while taking her pills on-and-off, she would only be pregnant for 2 weeks, and there is no evidence (after 30 years of women using the pill) that the pill causes birth defects. Of course, it is MUCH BETTER for the baby and Tuk if she takes hormonal contraception consistently and correctly every day, and then chooses to stop using the pill when you two decide to try to conceive. The best reason for this: she will know when her periods occur, and can track ovulation more precisely when not on the pill. Knowing when ovulation occurs is important...it helps her doctor more accurately pinpoint the due date, how far along in the pregnancy she is, etc. (A woman does not have a menstrual period while taking the pill; the bleeding she experiences is "withdrawal bleeding" from the withdrawal of hormones...I can explain this more if you'd like). A woman also does not ovulate while taking the pill as directed.
2. Emergency contraception is no where near better than the regular and consistent use of birth control! EC is only up to 70-80% effective at preventing a pregnancy, compared to the pill (taken consistently and correctly), which is up to 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
3. It would be ideal (my opinion) if Tuk could remember to use the pill independent of you reminding her. Does she have computer or email access? If so, she can sign up for a daily reminder: http://www.yaz-us.com/consumer/tools_support/e_reminders.jsp. As Susan pointed out, there may be another form of birth control that would suit Tuk better, that does not have to be remembered daily.
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Hi Dav,
I've been reading your posts, and wanted to answer your most recent question. It sounds like you are wondering a few things:
1. Is it OK to continue taking birth control pills (specifically Yaz) if there is a chance of pregnancy, as could it cause birth defects?
2. Tuk's sister said that "this was better", after Tuk used "Instant Birth control" after sex. I assume this is "emergency contraception", or "Plan B", and that Tuk's sister said that emergency contraception, or EC for short, is better than regular birth control?
3. Tuk's dependence on you to remember to take her pill daily
Here are some answers to the above questions, in order...I hope this helps!
1. According to the Yaz patient information brochure (from Bayer), they are saying that there is no evidence that birth control pills cause birth defects in early pregnancy, just as what I read from other company's birth control pills. Here is Bayer's exact words: "There is no conclusive evidence that oral contraceptive use is associated with an increase in birth defects when taken inadvertently during early pregnancy. Previously, a few studies had reported that oral contraceptives might be associated with birth defects, but these studies have not been confirmed. Nevertheless, oral contraceptives should not be used during pregnancy."
If you think about it, a pregnancy is confirmed at about "week 4" (when a woman misses her period, and takes a pregnancy test). And, actually...she has only been pregnant for TWO weeks (not four) at this time. (for due date purposes, a woman's pregnancy is counted from date of ovulation...which happens approximately two weeks before the actual implantation of the fertilized egg, when a viable pregnancy occurs). Does this make sense? I wanted to give you this additional information, as the worry of birth defects is understandable, but if Tuk does become pregnant while taking her pills on-and-off, she would only be pregnant for 2 weeks, and there is no evidence (after 30 years of women using the pill) that the pill causes birth defects. Of course, it is MUCH BETTER for the baby and Tuk if she takes hormonal contraception consistently and correctly every day, and then chooses to stop using the pill when you two decide to try to conceive. The best reason for this: she will know when her periods occur, and can track ovulation more precisely when not on the pill. Knowing when ovulation occurs is important...it helps her doctor more accurately pinpoint the due date, how far along in the pregnancy she is, etc. (A woman does not have a menstrual period while taking the pill; the bleeding she experiences is "withdrawal bleeding" from the withdrawal of hormones...I can explain this more if you'd like). A woman also does not ovulate while taking the pill as directed.
2. Emergency contraception is no where near better than the regular and consistent use of birth control! EC is only up to 70-80% effective at preventing a pregnancy, compared to the pill (taken consistently and correctly), which is up to 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
3. It would be ideal (my opinion) if Tuk could remember to use the pill independent of you reminding her. Does she have computer or email access? If so, she can sign up for a daily reminder: http://www.yaz-us.com/consumer/tools_support/e_reminders.jsp. As Susan pointed out, there may be another form of birth control that would suit Tuk better, that does not have to be remembered daily.
Let us know if you have any further questions!
October 11, 2009 - 7:06amThis Comment
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