The pill and folic acid

[luchinka]

I'm getting married very soon, but sod's law due to have period on the big day (and I get monster periods!) so was planning to go back on the pill briefly and run 2 packs together and avoid bleeding on wedding day. Thing is, we were planning to ttc straight after so if I come straigh back off the pill (finish the packa nd take no more) should I be taking folic acid in the meantime, can I? Also, do I have to wait a month after finishing pill before starting ttc. Stupid questions I'm sure, hope someone can help me!

[Imawurzelcoveredinchocolate]

I came off the pill in oct 06. My monthlies are just getting back to 28 days now.
I never waited. As soon as i stopped the pill i took folic acid tablets.
hoping this month will be my 'lucky' month.
Fertile days are next week, so fingers and toes are crossed.
Someone will come along in a bit with better answers.
Oh and congratulations on your coming wedding.
And it is true that you won't get drunk. I drank like a fish and only felt tipsy.

[HelloMama]

You should start taking folic acid as soon as possible as ideally it should be started at least 3 months prior to actually conceiving. You should also take it for at least the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. You can take it perfectly safely with the pill and it wont affect how the pill works at all. SO start taking it today!

If you want to take the pill to avoid a period on your big day, again you need to start taking it as soon as possible as sometimes it can give you some irregular bleeding in the first few packs if you havent taken it for a while. But it is fine to take it and take a few packs back to back. If you have time though, i would advise taking one pack, having a bleed in a pill free week and then re-starting another pack, as it will lessen your chance of having break through bleeding whilst taking the pills if you have only just re-started it.

You can just stop taking the pill and start TTC, there is no need whatsoever to wait a month before TTC. It only take a few days for the pill to work its way out of your body, so you don't need to worry about lasting effects. Most people are fertile immediately - that's why you can get pregnant so easily if you forget pills - although others can take a bit longer to conceieve, but if you haven't TTC before, you wont know how long it will take you to get pregnant anyway - anywhere between 6-12 months is normal.

HTH!

[luchinka]

Thanks very much hellomama. that's a great help.

[LaylaandSethsmum]

Just to add though its easier to date your pregnancy if you allow one natural cycle before ttc as the bleed from the pill is artificial, you could also get norethisterone tablets to delay your period too if you didn't want to restart the pill again.

[Imawurzelcoveredinchocolate]

Didn't say that i am still taking folic acid tablets. I get boots own. £3 i think for months worth. I got them on 3 for 2 last month.