Fifty-three percent of unplanned pregnancies occur in women using contraceptives. Birth control pills and other contraceptives must be used correctly to be effective. Follow these simple steps for effective birth control and pregnancy prevention.

Difficulty: Average
Time required: 5 minutes

Here's How:

If you use oral contraceptives, take them at the same time each day.
Use your chosen method of birth control consistently. Just one incident of forgetfulness can result in an unplanned pregnancy.
Follow the directions for your birth control method exactly as instructed.
Use an alternative method of contraception, such as a condom, if you forget 2 or more oral contraceptives in one cycle.
If you are given antibiotics, ask the pharmacist if they will reduce the effectiveness of your oral contraceptives.
Using a condom and spermicide with a diaphragm or cervical cap during your fertile perio