coming off the pill

[juststarting]

my husband and i have decided after being married 7months to start trying... only just coming off the pill, is it safe to start trying straight away? not sure if we need to use alternative protection until i get a proper period?? so confused, just want to do everything we can for the best outcome!!

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

It's better to wait a couple of cycles because the hormones in the Pill can still affect you a month or two later in some cases, and it's good to get your body back in the swing of a normal cycle before sending your hormones haywire again.

It's safe to start trying, but I do know people who have 100+ days their first cycle post-pill, so do you want to be doing pregnancy tests every week for 2-3 months before your period arrives normally? Best to get an idea when you're due on, when you're fertile and what you feel like off the Pill, IMO. You don't have to, but it may ease the emotions if you know what's normal for you.

Best of luck to you! (And a very belated congratulations on your wedding too.)

[smiles4u]

My absolute recommended advice is to talk to your GP soon... that way you know you are doing everything right ... rather than be unsure or have doubts about some things

I say better to do this early rather than later so the ball is rolling so to speak. I think many couples try for about 6 to 12mths then when not pregnant leave it to then to see their GP

I say best to get in early then you haven't wasted any of your time

(Also it's very important to check about RUBELLA immunisation ... i had a friend who hadn't had one & contracted it whilst pregnant with her 1st child ... she never went to her GP before deciding to get preg ... She went to hell & back the 5mths of waiting for the results of her baby. Sadly she lost her baby)

Yeh, make that GP appt ... And i wish you the very BEST OF LUCK !!!

[visitor1]

As soon as i stopped we started TTC #1....i fell pg after 3 months

[belle75]

Hi JS,
Congratulations on your decision to TTC! I agree with smiles4u. Definitely see your GP about a pre-conception checkup for vaccinations, illnesses, pap smear, physical check-up. Also start taking a good pregnancy multivite that has at least 500mcg Folic acid ( very important since you've been on the Pill and it depletes your body. Folate is important to prevent defects in bub). Maybe take this time to get healthy and wait till you get your first "real" period after the Pill to start. Lots of babydust. Hope your TTC journey is short and sweet.

[juststarting]

thanks everyone! all very real when you start talking about it, especially when im trying to keep quiet from my immediate family! will def make a visit to my gp, make sure everything is up to date and ready to go

[Aimz]

I would recommend speaking to your GP.

They will order a standard round of blood tests to make sure your immunity to certain things is up to date (rubella, chicken pox etc). They will also recommend you start on a pregnancy multi-vitamin which contains folate (important in the very early stages) and they will give you a general health check.

I would also check out the fertility friend website (you can google it) which will given you heaps of information about charting your cycle and becoming more aware of when your "fertile window" is during each cycle.

Good luck and congratulations!

[Midwife Melissa]

I'd recommend seeing a naturopath. The Pill can alter your nutrient status and make miscarriage more likely in the first few months after you come off it. Seeing a naturopath can help with this.