Pregnancy Loss Pregnancy Loss Causes and Risk Factors Birth Control Pills and the Connection to Miscarriage By Krissi Danielsson Updated on April 16, 2020 Medically reviewed by Alyssa Dweck, MD Print Verywell / Jo Zixuan Zhou Many women who experience a pregnancy loss wonder if their birth control pills could have caused the miscarriage. Others wonder if they can terminate a pregnancy with birth control pills. The answers to these questions depend on many factors, including the type of birth control pills and other hormonal contraception and when they are used. Birth Control Pills Prior to Conception According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, taking birth control pills before getting pregnant does not cause early pregnancy loss. If you experienced a miscarriage and were taking oral contraceptives prior to conceiving, that was not the cause. This is a common worry but be assured these two events are not related. Conceiving While on Birth Control When used appropriately, most types of birth control pills are considered 98% to 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. Yet sometimes, even with perfect usage, women get pregnant while taking the pill. This is more likely if they forget to take pills, for example, or if they are using medications that decrease the effectiveness of the pill. If you find yourself pregnant while on the pill, you should discontinue the pill. A large 2008 study examined a registry of 92,719 women and found no evidence of increased risk of fetal death in babies exposed to artificial hormones during pregnancy. As well, a 2010 study in Epidemiology found no increased risk for most types of major birth defects in women who used oral contraceptives in early pregnancy. Using the Pill to End a Pregnancy The birth control pill is not used to terminate an existing pregnancy. The morning-after pill (post-coital contraception, or "plan B") comes in multiple formulations including several "birth control pill" formulations. These options do not cause miscarriage or abortion but rather prevent conception in the first place. If you are considering emergency contraception within a few days after unprotected intercourse, talk to a physician or pharmacist right away. They can help guide you through this process safely and effectively. A Word From Verywell Despite common misconceptions, there is little scientific evidence that taking birth control pills prior to pregnancy or accidentally taking birth control pills during early pregnancy causes fetal death or birth defects. Still, be sure to discuss your worries and address personal questions about contraception and pregnancy with your doctor. 2 Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Early pregnancy loss. Jellesen R, Strandberg-Larsen K, Jørgensen T, Olsen J, Thulstrup AM, Andersen AM. Maternal use of oral contraceptives and risk of fetal death. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2008;22(4):334-40. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3016.2008.00942.x Additional Reading Waller DK, Gallaway MS, Taylor LG, et al. Use of oral contraceptives in pregnancy and major structural birth defects in offspring. Epidemiology. 2010;21(2):232-9. doi:10.1097/ede.0b013e3181c9fbb3 By Krissi Danielsson Krissi Danielsson, MD is a doctor of family medicine and an advocate for those who have experienced miscarriage. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Helpful Report an Error Other Submit