going off the pill

I have never been on anything like that myself - but I've heard it can take months for your cycles to regulate themselves after being on the Pill. I'd consider what was most important to you - the possibility of accidentally getting pregnant earlier than planned, or the possibility that it might take longer than you'd like.

Oh crap. I forgot my folic acid this morning! Thanks claire

I came off the pill 3 months before we started TTC (plus went onto folic acid etc). Just be prepared that your cycles may be totally different to pre-pill days! I used to be 28 days every cycle, and after coming off the pill my cycles were anything from 35 to 45 days. Be aware also that ovulation when coming off the pill is rather unpredictable, so at least for a while you may want to stick to condoms for the entire cycle, rather than just the "at risk" week!

Having said all of this, my doctor did actually say that you don't need to come off the pill at all prior to TTC, but it makes dating the pregnancy easier if you do happen to conceive on the first post-pill cycle.

Maybe have a chat to your doctor and see what they reccommend - it's good to go and get a pre-TTC check-up anyway, so you can make sure your smear tests are up to date, that you don't need a rubella booster shot, and you can get a prescription for folic acid.

Good luck!

AliaDawn wrote: Oh crap. I forgot my folic acid this morning! Thanks claire

Always happy to help

My doctor said to come off when we are ready, I think the 3 month thing is cause its good to be taking folic acid 3 months before you conceive.

My doctor advised that you don't need to 'take a break' with the current generation of pills.

I'm probably going to make this next lot (6 months worth) the last, and take preventative methods until we are ready.

It seems weird to introduce condoms after 8 years of not using them IMHO.

Well, I got preggers with Ella first cycle off the pill, and that was after being on it for years up 'till then.  But then again, I hadn't been advised by a Doc on whether or not to give the pill a break before trying for baby.  The GP only told me when I went in there to confirm my not-very-obvious +ve hpt that he thought it very, very unlikely that I'd be pregnant in my first cycle off the pill.  But then, he was a bit of a dork! 

I think it's different for everyone. I was on the pill for about 7 years and then off it for 2 - nothing happened, so went back on it for 6 months and then thought stuff it and stopped all together. We eventually got pregnant but only when we weren't 'trying' or thinking about it every month (were busy planning our wedding!). But I had a friend who forgot to take her pill a few days and fell pregnant from then. I'd advise a chat with your doctor though. Good luck!!

Hi all,i had been on the pill for 9 years and i swear it was the worst thing i couldve ever done i came off it nov 06 before i took it my af was bang on 28 days but now its anywhere from 28-35 days had my first EVER 28 day cycle last month since coming off it everything has been all over the show ovulation etc on strange days but doc itsnt worried at all (thats another story about him).

monica- i know that feeling...DH is supposed to have stopped before we got pregnant..and he still smokes (outside) grrrrrr...it really irks me..

as far as the pill i was on it 10 years...came off it and went back to 28 day cycle fine..same with depo though that took 7 months to get it back..the only thing that screwed up my cycle was my mc....

I'm with AliaDawn's advice. I came off the pill 3 months before we wanted to conceive and got pregnant first time of officially trying. But, we weren't that good with contraceptives over the 3 months between being OTP and TTC. My cycles went completely out of whack - one was 28 days, the next 50, so who knows how reliable my dates are! My GP said I should conceive within a month of coming off the pill, but I wanted the 3 months to get the hormones out of my system and start getting my head around the idea of getting pregnant!