My Birth Control Failed. What Do I Do?

If your birth control fails, you’re likely stressed and worried about the possibility of pregnancy. Whatever you’re feeling right now, it’s understandable. But taking a deep breath and deciding on a plan of action can help you find clarity.

While early pregnancy often causes common symptoms in many women, taking a pregnancy test and following up with an ultrasound (if you get a positive result) are the only ways to know for sure.

Want to talk to someone in person about a potential pregnancy? Schedule a free, confidential appointment for pregnancy testing and ultrasounds.

Pregnancy testing

If you suspect your birth control has failed—such as a missed pill, condom break, or forgotten patch—timing your pregnancy test correctly is crucial for accurate results. The best time to take a home pregnancy test is after you’ve missed your period.

Home pregnancy tests (opens in a new tab) are designed to detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is produced after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. Testing too early might result in a false negative, which happens when hCG levels aren’t yet high enough to be detected by a pregnancy test.

Pregnancy ultrasound

If you get a positive pregnancy test result, following up with an ultrasound is an essential step for confirming your pregnancy.

Ultrasound is a simple scan that uses sound waves to create a picture of your internal structures. During pregnancy, an ultrasound will help keep you safe by ruling out ectopic pregnancy (opens in a new tab) (which is a life-threatening condition where the pregnancy develops outside your uterus) and miscarriage (which needs medical follow-up to ensure you don’t have complications).

Next steps

Worrying about a potential unexpected pregnancy can make it feel like your world has turned upside down. But you’re not alone in this.

We offer free, medical-grade pregnancy testing and ultrasounds if you receive a positive result in our office.

When you’re ready, you can get clarity by scheduling your free, confidential appointment.