Expert: Norman Solberg - 9/2/2011

Question
Dr. Solberg,

I have been off contraceptives for over a year. I started taking Seasonique on August 7th 2011 after my period started on August 3rd. I went on vacation on August 18th and forgot to take my pills. I had unprotected sex with my boyfriend from August 18th till August 21st. On the 21st of August, I started spotting brown and a bright red. This was not like my usual period. It was lighter than my usual period and a brighter red. It lasted from August 21st til August 25th. My usual cycle is 26 days so I found this to be odd. I took 4 pregnancy tests on August 29th. One was positive but the other 3 were negative. I called my doctor, but his nurse said not to worry and that I am most likely not pregnant. Is that correct? Could I be pregnant or am I okay since I bled early? I became nauseated on that 21st and have been since with everything I eat. She said this was a symptom of the birth control. I don't know what I should do and if I should just listen to the nurse. What do you think?

Answer
Hi Robyn,
You bled because you stopped taking the pill, and this is a withdrawal bleed, just like when you stop at the end of the month.  The bleeding generally means that you're not pregnant.  Since you stopped the pill after August 18, you could have gotten pregnant after that.  Since you had one positive pregnancy test on August 29, I suspect that you are early pregnant, and the other tests were negative because you're so early.  I would repeat a pregnancy test tomorrow on a first morning urine.  That should tell you for sure.