Chapter 17: Family planning
What if a woman forgets to take her pill?
If a woman forgets to take 1 or 2 pills, she should take 1 as soon as she remembers.
Then she should take the next pill at the regular time — even if she must take 2
pills in one day.
If a woman forgets to take 3 pills, 3 days in a row, she should take 1 pill right
away. Then she should take 1 pill each day at her regular time.
If she is using a 28-day packet of pills, she should only take the hormonal pills,
and should skip the sugar pills. If she is taking a 21-day packet of pills, she should
start a new packet as soon as she finishes the one she is taking now.
To prevent pregnancy, she should use condoms any time she has
sexual intercourse within 7 days of missing her pills.
Remember: Birth control pills will not be effective if they are only
taken some of the time. A woman who uses birth control pills must
take one pill every day, at the same time of day — even if she is taking
other medicine, eating special foods, or is ill.
I took the pill
every day —
except when I
had a cold!
I took the pill
every day —
except when
I ate pork!
Sometimes
I just
forgot!
I took my
pill every
day — no
matter what!
I forgot one day
so I took 2 pills
the next day!
WAR NING! If a woman taking the pill gets any of these signs,
she should get medical advice right away:
• chest pain and shortness of breath
• strong headaches
• numbness in arms or legs
• strong pain in one leg
For more information about specific birth control pills, see page 490.
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A Book for Midwives (2010)