Dear Poll: Do You Believe Pregnancy Can Be an Accident?

April 9, 2008

I've been hearing about many accidental pregnancies lately — newlyweds saying their bun in the oven was a surprise or new parents claiming their second pregnancy was a fluke. But part of me thinks that's an excuse so people won't judge them for conceiving so soon into their marriage or after giving birth. In this day and age when there are so many birth control options available, it seems close to impossible to have an accidental pregnancy if you're using them correctly. Of course there's always the chance of getting preggers if you're irresponsible about taking the pill or if your condom breaks, so ladies, what I want to know is, do you believe the accidental pregnancy excuse?

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111 Comments

3 years 19 weeks

I am 28 yrs old and have never been pregnant. I have been on birth control since 16. If you dont want to get pregnant, you WONT. Its all about being responsible. If you know how to put on a condom CORRECTLY you wont have a problem. yes the can slip off but this is where BC comes into play. they are 99% effective if taken CORRECTLY. CORRECTLY LADIES! not skipping pills and trying triple up. or taking antibiotics and forgetting that it kills the bc. be responsible. Im living proof that it is not an accident.

myprivatespace 4 years 16 weeks

accident.... of course!! ask me..I am a veteran at that. Twice pregnant even after taking the post-sex pills. Ours is a long-distance relationship and it is waste of money and energy to take the regular pill. Thank God, I rushed in time to the clinic to avoid embarassment of the unmarried raised belly. My boyfriend has been supportive enough since then to understand the need of condoms

Miss Senorita 4 years 16 weeks

It could happen.

Miss Senorita 4 years 16 weeks

It could happen.

j2e1n9 4 years 45 weeks

Huh? :? "that's an excuse so people won't judge them for conceiving so soon into their marriage or after giving birth" - Who are these people that are judging them? I have never heard of such a thing. An excuse? For what? Why would you have to "excuse" making a baby? As far as birth control methods go...more people use these things improperly than properly. What does it matter if it was accidental? Who cares? What a weird question.

Blackwood 4 years 46 weeks

of course it can be an accident. but I think that, sadly, the term "accidental pregnancy" is used more often than not to mask the fact that only the guy didn't want it, and the girl planned on it all by herself. but honest mistakes do happen also, nevertheless.

Blackwood 4 years 46 weeks

of course it can be an accident.but I think that, sadly, the term "accidental pregnancy" is used more often than not to mask the fact that only the guy didn't want it, and the girl planned on it all by herself.but honest mistakes do happen also, nevertheless.

FrankiLee 5 years 5 weeks

I got pregnant on birth control, which I took at the same time every day. I do think that when you are irresponsible about birth control, condoms, what have you, then claiming that your pregnancy was an "accident" is an excuse, but if you were trying to prevent pregnancy as best as you can, that is a different story. I'm happy to be pregnant...I would have liked to wait a little longer, but I'm in a stable relationship, and we are responsible and prepared. This question definitely seems judgmental to me. And #22....that is the worst method of birth control possible! Haha I definitely had a laugh at that one. Obviously sex ed wasn't offered wherever he went to school...

FrankiLee 5 years 5 weeks

I got pregnant on birth control, which I took at the same time every day. I do think that when you are irresponsible about birth control, condoms, what have you, then claiming that your pregnancy was an "accident" is an excuse, but if you were trying to prevent pregnancy as best as you can, that is a different story. I'm happy to be pregnant...I would have liked to wait a little longer, but I'm in a stable relationship, and we are responsible and prepared. This question definitely seems judgmental to me.And #22....that is the worst method of birth control possible! Haha I definitely had a laugh at that one. Obviously sex ed wasn't offered wherever he went to school...

JaimeLeah526 5 years 5 weeks

I don't really think that all the people who claim to have an accidental pregnancy really do. If you're using reliable birth control than it's very unlikely that you will get pregnant. Most people aren't using the proper birth control or none at all and wonder why they are pregnant. You need to think about that before you have sex not wonder about it later. If you haven't made the decision to have a child and don't want one now or even ever you need to find a birth control that works for you and stick to using it regularly not when you feel like it. It kinda makes me sick that after being harped on our entire lives people still can't seem to get it together when it comes to birth control.

gossipqueen 5 years 5 weeks

P.S. YES, I agree this assumption that "accidental pregnancy" is an excuse IS a little insulting! bad sugar bad!

gossipqueen 5 years 5 weeks

P.S. YES, I agree this assumption that "accidental pregnancy" is an excuse IS a little insulting!bad sugar bad!

gossipqueen 5 years 5 weeks

If I was pregnant I would NEVER take into consideration what YOU thought of me of my husband...LOL...what a silly concept! You don't pay my bills and you won't raise my kid... *by YOU I mean anybody ;)

gossipqueen 5 years 5 weeks

Silverlining10 5 years 5 weeks

I don't think married couples who get pregnant during their honeymoon or four months after their first child are using "surprise" as an excuse. That seems nothing to be ashamed of, and no reason for people to judge them. It only seems natural that couples get pregnant the first night they have sex without protection or the first night they finally have sex after a baby is born. Of course, that doesn't mean I think all "accidental" pregnancies should be carried out. I honestly believe 16-year-old girls get pregnant accidentally, but having the baby isn't the best option.

Silverlining10 5 years 5 weeks

I don't think married couples who get pregnant during their honeymoon or four months after their first child are using "surprise" as an excuse. That seems nothing to be ashamed of, and no reason for people to judge them. It only seems natural that couples get pregnant the first night they have sex without protection or the first night they finally have sex after a baby is born.Of course, that doesn't mean I think all "accidental" pregnancies should be carried out. I honestly believe 16-year-old girls get pregnant accidentally, but having the baby isn't the best option.

fireannach 5 years 5 weeks

I am actually offended by this question because I've had a truly accidental pregnancy AND Dear Sugar featured my question about it. Talk about hypocritical! I wouldn't have sent in a question if I knew I was secretly being judged when she received it. And for the doubters, I was on the pill AND using a condom and conceived. Thanks Sugar for accusing your readers of lying about some of the most serious and trying events of their lives.

kikidawn 5 years 5 weeks

Ashlyn Rose, My friend and I were discussing this in class this morning and she told me that in one of her classes her professor was talking about birth control and was explaining all the different types and he said something about people who practice "coitus interruptus" or in our terms: withdrawal. Then he said, "And you know what we call those people? .... Parents!" On a side note, I know a person who used withdrawal for 3 years (on a very regular basis-- 3x a week or so) and she never wound up pregnant... interesting to say the least!

kikidawn 5 years 5 weeks

Ashlyn Rose,My friend and I were discussing this in class this morning and she told me that in one of her classes her professor was talking about birth control and was explaining all the different types and he said something about people who practice "coitus interruptus" or in our terms: withdrawal. Then he said, "And you know what we call those people? .... Parents!"On a side note, I know a person who used withdrawal for 3 years (on a very regular basis-- 3x a week or so) and she never wound up pregnant... interesting to say the least!

bransugar79 5 years 5 weeks

I know someone who was on low doese birth control because she was breast feeding and got pregnant. She certainly wasn't plannign it and was doing what she thought to be responsible. I don't think kids should be called accidents but I don think you can be surprised. Now if you are having sex and doing nothing to prevent the pregnancy, that's no accident THAT is bein irresponsible

Ashlyn Rose 5 years 6 weeks

Here's a fun fact that I learned in my human sexuality course that I'm taking now. Most hormonal birth control isn't formulated for women over 200 lbs. So if you're over 200 lbs and taking your pills and taking your pills regularly, the dosage may not be enough to prevent ovulation. I definitely believe in accidents. There are women out there who honestly believe that unplanned pregnancy just won't happen to them, so they let themselves be careless with birth control. There are also women who are just ill-informed about birth control. Bonus joke-- what do you call a couple who practices the rhythm method? Pregnant! Ha ha...

Ashlyn Rose 5 years 6 weeks

Here's a fun fact that I learned in my human sexuality course that I'm taking now. Most hormonal birth control isn't formulated for women over 200 lbs. So if you're over 200 lbs and taking your pills and taking your pills regularly, the dosage may not be enough to prevent ovulation.I definitely believe in accidents. There are women out there who honestly believe that unplanned pregnancy just won't happen to them, so they let themselves be careless with birth control. There are also women who are just ill-informed about birth control.Bonus joke-- what do you call a couple who practices the rhythm method?Pregnant!Ha ha...

sass317 5 years 6 weeks

I cannot for the life of me remember how I had this conversation- but I was talking to this girl at a party about birth control and she said her sister apparently had very low hormone levels and when she started on the pill it raised her hormone levels high enough that she COULD get pregnant and did immdiately- so for her it would be more effective not to take any hormone BC at all. I have another friend that took her pills same time every day and got pregnant, she would NEVER have done it "by accident" to keep her man, she knew he wasnt going anywhere. Of course I also know another girl from high school and Im pretty sure she got pregnant on purpose- she wanted this one guy and it was the only way she would have been able to keep him around.

sass317 5 years 6 weeks

I cannot for the life of me remember how I had this conversation- but I was talking to this girl at a party about birth control and she said her sister apparently had very low hormone levels and when she started on the pill it raised her hormone levels high enough that she COULD get pregnant and did immdiately- so for her it would be more effective not to take any hormone BC at all.I have another friend that took her pills same time every day and got pregnant, she would NEVER have done it "by accident" to keep her man, she knew he wasnt going anywhere.Of course I also know another girl from high school and Im pretty sure she got pregnant on purpose- she wanted this one guy and it was the only way she would have been able to keep him around.

emalove 5 years 6 weeks

I definitely think there are accidental pregnancies. I know a couple of women who have gotten pregnant while they were on the Pill. But I also think that if you don't want to get pregnant but don't attempt to use any form of birth control, you can't be all THAT shocked if you get pregnant. Seriously.

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