WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for August, 1999: Re: Posibility of conception just before period?

Re: Posibility of conception just before period?

From: Patti Tessler, FNP (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 16 Aug 1999 20:31:48 -0500 (CDT)

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In reply to: Amanda: "Posibility of conception just before period?"

At Mon, 9 Aug 1999, Amanda wrote: >
>I usually have a 30-31 day cycle. The start of my LMP was July 10th. On
>August 6th I began cramping significantly, which is normal for me before
>my period starts. My boyfriend and I had intercourse later that day and
>we discovered afterwards that the condom broke. The following day we
>had yet ANOTHER broken condom incident. Neither of these condoms were
>spermicidally lubricated and I am on no other form of birth control. The
>cramping has subsided completely since the first time and there is no
>sensation at all that my period is going to start (usually I can sense
>it). My cycle is usually regular except for three months ago when it
>was 45 days. A few questions:
>
>1. What are the chances of becoming pregnant that late in your cycle?
>2. Can fertilization that late delay a period that is about to start?
>3. How soon can I rely on home pregnancy test results in this
>situation. Usually it would be the first day of a missed period, but
>that would only be a few days after conception.
>
>I realize just stressing about it can delay my period, and yes, I am
>looking into another form of birth control...

It's possible to become pregnant that late in your cycle if you might be having a long cycle. The cramping may represent ovulation rather than premenstrual cramping. That would render the second question moot. You can rely on home pregnancy tests beginning as early as 10 days after conception, but this number varies significantly by brand.

A reminder: broken condoms are a perfect situation for emergency contraception (the morning after pill). Emergency contraception is just normal birth control pills taken in a special way; only certain brands work. Taken within 72 hours (really, up to three mornings after") of an accident like condom breakage or "forgetting," or after sexual assault, emergency contraception can reduce the risk of pregnancy by about 70%. It is not perfect at preventing pregnancy; other birth control methods are much more reliable. But it is a good "Plan C" in case of trouble. Half of the women who take it get nauseous, and as many as one in four have vomiting. Emergency contraception does not cause an established pregnancy to end. Its aim is to prevent a woman from releasing an egg, and, rarely, to prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. For the nearest provider of emergency contraception in your area, call (888) NOT 2 LATE for an automated directory. For further information on emergency contraception, visit http://opr.princeton.edu/ec/ec.html.

--
Patti Tessler, BSN, MSN, RN, CS
Family Nurse Practitioner

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