Pregnancy Symptoms While on Birth Control: What to Know

Question
I am 25, no children, and first day of last period was 9/20/05. I am currently taking Ovcon 35 and have been on it for a few years. In the past few months I have noticed that my breasts become extremely swollen and tender the last 2 weeks of active pills and for the week of sugar pills. This month I have had spotting twice, am really tired, of course my breasts are very sore, I am achy, and I feel like I am catching a cold. I know the possibilities of getting pregnant on the pill are very slim, but would would be the chances and the signs if I was to get pregnant on the pill?

Answer
If you became pregnant while taking the pill (less than 0.1%) you would miss your period and the earliest symptoms of pregnancy are breast tenderness, fatigue, and nausea. Spotting is not a sign of pregnancy. If your last period started on September 20, the earliest you could have conceived (if you were not on the pill) would be on cycle day #14 (October 3). If you did become pregnant at that time, a pregnancy test would not show a positive result until 14-21 days later. The best time to take a pregnancy test is seven days after missing your next period. However, it is highly unlikely that you will become pregnant if you have not missed any of your pills, even if you have tender breasts. Your symptoms may merely be due to a cold. By the way, there is no danger to the baby even if you do become pregnant on the pill as long as you stop taking the pills after the second trimester.  If you miss your next period, take a pregnancy test.