- With Mayo Clinic obstetrician and medical editor-in-chief
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
"Nothing helps people stay healthy more than the power of real knowledge about health." — Dr. Roger Harms
As medical editor-in-chief, Dr. Roger Harms is excited about the potential for MayoClinic.com to help educate people about their health and provide them the tools and information to live healthier lives.
The Auburn, Neb., native has been with Mayo Clinic since 1981 and is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Harms is a consultant and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, and his specialty areas include office gynecology, high-risk obstetrics and obstetrical ultrasound.
From 2002 to 2007, Dr. Harms was director for education for Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dr. Harms was the 1988 Mayo Medical School Teacher of the Year and served as associate dean for student affairs and academic affairs before taking this leadership role. He is the co-author of the "Mayo Clinic Model of Education." In 2008, Dr. Harms was presented the Distinguished Educator Award, Mayo Clinic, Rochester.
Dr. Harms is vice chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and medical editor of the Pregnancy section on this Web site. In addition, Dr. Harms is editor-in-chief of the "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" book, a month-by-month guide to everything a woman needs to know about having a baby.
"My medical education experience has grown out of a love of teaching, and that is what this site is about," Dr. Harms says. "If any visitor to this site makes a more informed and thus more comfortable decision about his or her health because of the information we provide, we are successful."
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- Birth control pills: Harmful in early pregnancy?
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- Fundal height: An accurate indicator of fetal growth?
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Question
Birth control pills: Harmful in early pregnancy?
Is it OK that I was taking birth control pills before I knew I was pregnant?
Answer
from Roger W. Harms, M.D.
Generally, taking birth control pills during early pregnancy isn't cause for great concern. While the practice isn't recommended, it happens fairly often among women who weren't expecting to get pregnant.
Taking birth control pills during pregnancy doesn't increase the risk of birth defects, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. However, a 2009 study suggests an association between the use of birth control pills during the time of conception and an increased risk of low birth weight or preterm delivery. Also, use of certain birth control pills during pregnancy has the potential to induce developmental problems with a female baby's sexual organs.
As a precaution, it's best to stop taking birth control pills as soon as you suspect you're pregnant. If you're concerned about use of birth control pills during pregnancy, ask your health care provider about the risks in your case.
Next questionFundal height: An accurate indicator of fetal growth?
- Birth control. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/ab020.cfm. Accessed April 22, 2009.
- Chen X, et al. Recent oral contraceptive use and adverse birth outcomes. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 2009;144:40.
- Ahn AK, et al. Pregnancy outcome after exposure to oral contraceptives during the periconceptional period. 2008;27:307.
- Briggs GG. Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk. Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008.
- Moore KL, et al. The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2003:477.
- Harms RW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 17, 2009.
