Birth control pills seem to have little effect on the risk of birth abnormalities during early pregnancy. While some research has shown a relationship between birth control pill usage and an increased risk of low birth weight, preterm delivery, or congenital urinary system abnormalities, these concerns have not been confirmed in clinical practice.
In general, birth control pills decrease the likelihood of pregnancy and the risk of a fertilized egg implanting outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy), which most frequently occurs in one of the tubes that transport eggs from the ovaries to the uterus (fallopian tubes). However, if you conceive while on a progestin-only birth control pill (minipill), the pregnancy has a slightly increased risk of being ectopic. As a precaution, if you suspect you are pregnant, perform a home pregnancy test. If the home pregnancy test is positive, immediately stop using the pill. If a home pregnancy test is not possible, abstain from birth control until the pregnancy is confirmed or ruled out. In the meanwhile, other means of birth control, such as condoms, should be utilized.
The bulk of birth control tablets are “combination pills,” which include both oestrogen and progesterone (the release of an egg during the monthly cycle). A woman cannot get pregnant without ovulation since there is no egg to fertilize. Additionally, the Pill thickens the mucus surrounding the cervix, preventing sperm from entering the uterus and contacting any released eggs. The hormones in the Pill may also have an effect on the uterine lining, making it more difficult for an egg to adhere to the uterine wall.
