Missed Depo-Provera shot — Pregnant?Originally Published: September 13, 1996 - Last Updated / Reviewed On: June 10, 2011 |
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I have been on Depo-Provera for about 9 months. Recently I was supposed to get my shot, but I could not afford to get it and I will not be able to afford it for at least another 2-4 weeks. I had gotten pregnant when I was 17 and I was on the pill. I have a steady boyfriend who I have been living with for one year. I am really scared that I am going to get pregnant again. I love my daughter, but I don't know if I want another baby right now. I am just entering my 2nd year of college. What is the chance of my getting pregnant? Thanks
Scared
Dear Scared,
First of all, even though you may feel anxious and as though you're lacking control in this situation, know that you have options. Generally, the 150 mg shot of Depo-Provera works a little "overtime" — each shot gives more than three months worth of birth control (the shots are given at eleven to 13 week intervals). If you wait longer than 13 weeks between shots, however, pregnancy is possible and the risk increases with time. Although this window may vary from woman to woman, the best way to avoid pregnancy is to use back-up methods of birth control.
Considering your desire not to get pregnant right now, here are some ideas that you and your boyfriend can try until you get your next shot:
- Consider using condoms or abstaining from intercourse
- Use other forms of over-the-counter contraceptive methods including spermicidal foams, creams, or suppositories
Explore new ways of being together and pleasing each other that don't involve intercourse, such as manual or oral stimulation. Who knows...this may be a perfect opportunity for your relationship to grow and become stronger! If you do have sex without protection, you also have the option to use emergency contraception up to 120 hours (five days) after unprotected sex (see Morning after pill from the Go Ask Alice! archives). To find the location of an emergency contraception provider nearest to you, you can visit The Emergency Contraception website or call their hotline at (800) 584-9911.
Perhaps you can discuss with your health care provider what other birth control options are available to you during this time and whether different payment options might help avoid this conundrum in the future. If you think this method of birth control will always be too expensive while you are in school, you and your provider can discuss other birth control options that could work for you, your boyfriend, and your budget. You may not have much faith in the pill, but there may be other contraception methods you can try. To speak with a health care provider, Columbia students can call Medical Services at x4-2284 or go online to Open Communicator. If you feel that your health care provider is not receptive to giving help or advice, you may want to try contacting Planned Parenthood. Whatever you decide to do, you're ultimately the one in control. You have a range of options to choose from to avoid getting pregnant.
