How long should I wait to get pregnant after going off the pill

How long should I wait to get pregnant after going off the pill?

Question: How long should I wait to get pregnant after going off the pill?

Many women use oral contraceptives, or the birth control pill as their method of contraception. When they decide that they are ready to become pregnant, they know that they need to discontinue taking the pill in order to become pregnant. The question then becomes how long must one wait before trying to conceive after coming off the pill.

Answer:

It was once believed that once you stopped taking the pill you should wait two to three menstrual cycles before getting pregnant. Doctors once believed that if you got pregnant right away that there was a higher chance of miscarriage, though this has not been found to be the case.

Once you quit taking birth control pills you may ovulate within two to six weeks. The speed with which it is reversible is one of the big benefits of the pill.

If you get pregnant before having your first period, which is possible, you may have a slightly harder time pinpointing when you ovulated and therefore your due date.

Another issue to keep in mind that even though you have a chance to get pregnant every ovulation cycle, it does not mean that you will quit taking the pill and get pregnant right away. It can take a healthy couple up to a year to get pregnant, even if there are no problems. This can concern women, particularly after stopping birth control.

My advice is to have a preconceptional health visit with your doctor or midwife if you are thinking of getting pregnant. They can help you plan for stopping the pill and help you be as healthy as possible for when you do get pregnant.