Birth Control Forum - How Important Is a Set Specific Time for Taking BC?

Womens Health > Birth Control Forum > How Important Is a Set Specific Time for Taking BC?

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Q: How Important Is a Set Specific Time for Taking BC?

asked by: MeghanV on November 4th, 2007

New User

OK I've been on birth control for about 8 months and I've always been faithful to one specific time that I take my pill. I'd never been even a minute late or a minute early, I set the timer every day. However it got harder for me to stay up so late, so I've been trying to move the time down at least 5 minutes per week. I've set a perfect time now, however on the weekends I don't pay too much attention and I may be either 5-10 minutes early or no more that 5 minutes late.
My question is....Is this bad? Skipping around on the weekends? It's not a durastic amount of time I'm skipping but should I be precise every time?
Please reply soon!
Thanks!

Replies(7)

anniek

replied on November 5th, 2007

Experienced User

No as long as it's not like a day late! But to be safe you should stay at about the same time everyday. Like I said "about"! You should be just fine!

chrissy721

replied on November 5th, 2007

Active User, very eHealthy

i'm not sure, but I think they tell you to take it the same time daily so that you get into a habit of taking it. Helps you not to forget.

Georgia59

replied on November 5th, 2007

Especially eHealthy

You're doing fine. You could be a few hours late and still be fine. Plus, you can ALWAYS take it earlier. If you wanted to start taking it a few hours early, go ahead and just switch. It won't hurt you at all. The actual guideline is to take it no more than 24 hours later than the other (meaning the same time every day) but early won't hurt as long as the next isn't more than 24 hours later than that.

But you have quite a bit of wiggle room in there. You're into the good habit now, and if you stay that way, you'll be fine.

JESSYH55

replied on November 5th, 2007

New User

I was on the pill for 4 years and I never had a set time I would make sure that I took it that day and always at night but not a specific time at night and I never came out pregnant so as long as you take it everyday you will be ok.

[edited by mod: please do not post in all CAPS.]

MeghanV

replied on November 5th, 2007

New User

Thanks guys for the great info.! I was really worried, I get super paranoid about the whole pregnancy thing.

Thanks a bunch! Very Happy

number game

replied on November 5th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

A good rule of thumb is an hour before or an hour after the scheduled time is okay. You always have that window.

Carifairy

replied on November 6th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

ALSO remember..

Pregnancy is not instant.

The nite you have sex, you are not pregnant. Pregnancy takes up to 2 weeks to fully 'occur'.

First you have to ovulate, THEN conception has to happen. Conception can take 2-3 days.. THEN there is implantation, which takes at least 7 days...

So you see, pregnancy is not instant.

Taking the pill within an hour of when it is due keeps you at nearly 'perfect' use, which is the highest protection you can find.

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