Coming of the pill is the first step to becoming a parent! But you may be wondering if there is any secret to stopping the pill, if your fertility will be affected and how long to get pregnant once you do stop.
What To Expect When Coming Off The Pill
Although you may be tempted to just stop taking your pills once you've decided the time has come to try for a baby, that's not the best way to do it. First of all, you'll throw your body off and may wind up spotting or bleeding when you least expect it. A better way of stopping the pill is to finish up your current pill packet and go through your normal bleeding. Then don't start another pack. You should have a period the next month -- unless you've conceived in the meantime.
It's perfectly normal to have spotting or light bleeding once you stop taking the pill. This is called "withdrawal bleeding" and is the same type of bleed you'd expect if you were to miss pills during the month or take a month off the pill.
Fertility Implications of Coming Off the Pill
The pill doesn't affect your fertility so you'll go back to whatever level of fertility is normal for you within a few months. If you used to have irregular periods you'll probably find yourself returning to that irregularity. If you had a no-fail 28-day cycle every month, you'll go back to that same regularity. There's a good chance of conceiving the first month you're off the pill, but don't be dismayed if it takes longer, especially if you had irregular cycles to begin with.
Some doctors suggest waiting until you've completed a full cycle before trying to conceive after stopping the pill, but neglecting to do this won't harm the baby if you do become pregnant. It will just make it a teeny bit harder to pinpoint your due date.
When Will I Get My Next Period?
After stopping the pill, your period can show up anytime within the next few weeks to the next few months. You may be irregular for a while, but you'll still ovulate about two weeks before you begin bleeding.
Wondering How Long to Get Pregnant After Stopping the Pill?
There's no telling how long it will take for you to get pregnant after stopping the pill. Some women can get pregnant immediately; others may take a few months to conceive. You can increase your chances of getting pregnant if you know when you're ovulating and have intercourse around that time. In the meantime, cut back on smoking and drinking alcohol, and start taking a prenatal vitamin or at the very least a folic acid supplement. This helps your body get ready to support a baby from the moment of conception.