Missed Birth Control Pill: What To Do?

Question
I am a Wednesday pill starter.  I am about to finish my period so thinking that it
was Wednesday yesterday, I took my first pill. I later realized that it was actually
Tuesday.  I understand that I should just continue taking one pill everyday until
my pack is done.  My question is, when it is time for me to start a new pack
again, should I go back to taking it on Wednesday or would I have to start on
Tuesday?

Answer
Dear Risa,

You really should start now on Tuesday to make sure that you are protected from pregnancy. You don't want to leave that extra day in there without any pill, but...

If you are a real creature of habit and are worried about changing, you may be able to, depending upon what type of pill it is, skip a period and take nearly two full packs until you get to that last Wed. of the cycle. That will allow you to have your week off and re-start on the Wed. But as I said, it will depend on the type of pills you are on. You will need to check with your doctor.

Otherwise, you can check with your doctor's office to see if you can get a sample pack of your brand of pills (so you don't have the additional cost) and take one extra of the last active pill in the pack to get back on the Wednesday schedule. OR you can go ahead and start the next pack on the Wednesday and use a back-up method of protection, such as condoms, for the first cycle to ensure you are protected from pregnancy.

Hope that helped you and answered your question with a few different options. I wish you well.

Brenda