(another) TTC after being on the pill question

[VegemiteSandwich]

Hello (first post!)

The husband and I are going to start TTC. I've been on the pill for about 12 years except for a 3 month gap about 5 years ago when I forgot to pick up the prescription Before being on the pill I had heavy but VERY regular periods, and when I stopped the pill for 3 months I continued to be spot on every 28 days (except for the month when I needed the MAP! Whoops!).

Yesterday I went to a nurse at the GP clinic to chat about immunisations and stuff (are you all impressed at my organisation??). I have 2 days left to take of this month's pill, but she suggested waiting for a month before TCC. Her reasons were 1) it's good to get the chemicals "out of your system" and 2) it makes it easier to date the pregnancy.

Now, waiting is not that big a deal, but when I've decided to take on a "project" I get very impatient at having to wait! Not that we are in a major rush and intend to be fairly relaxed about it (at first!).

Firstly, do I really need to wait for the chemicals to "get out of my system"? I thought that the pill was (kind of) a synthetic version of a hormone that your body makes anyway? IF I fell pregnant in the first month would these chemicals not being "out of my system" affect the health of me or the baby?

Secondly, I know that the whole dating thing can annoy the health professionals. But still. Is it such a big deal? And can't it be "dated" from my last post-pill bleed, considering that my "normal" period would have occurred 28 days after this anyway?

I believe the issue relates to mc...some women conceive quickly after coming off the pill but someone correct me if I'm wrong?! there's an increased risk of mc.
Dating wise they do go from the date of your last period which is obviously tricky if you haven't had a period! Also you won't be sure when you ovulate so you won't know when to test so an issue for you, not just healthcare professionals. It would be best to use alternatives til you get your first period.
Having said all that, I didn't! I just came off the pill do as I say not as I do!
Good luck ttc.

I know loads of people who have tried (and some who have succeeded instantly) their first month off the Pill. The dating issue can be resolved from scans. I've never heard anyone else advised to let the chemicals get out of their system.

I got pg with DS1 straight after coming off the pill and had no problems with dating or anything.

Thank you peoples for your replies.

Phoenix - the increased risk of miscarriage is a bit scary, I'll go and do some research. But the thing about dating, "...which is obviously tricky if you haven't had your period" - can they not date it from my last post-pill period? I know that it isn't a "proper" period, but chances are I'd be every 28 days anyway??

You don't know you'll be a 28-day-cycle girl until you have a normal period again and chances are you will, but just in case, I think that's what they mean by letting the chemicals get out of your system - allow your body to produce the right amounts of hormones at the right times & have a proper cycle. That way, if you do have an early MC or are late for whatever reason, it will be easier to recognise, as you'll know what your cycle is like.

Fingers crossed you're one of the lucky ones whose cycle returns to normal immediately, but surely 28 days isn't that long to wait??

I was in exactly the same situation as you a month ago. I came off the pill and wasn't sure whether I could start ttc immediately. mainly because I didn't know whether my body would go straight back in to ovulating normally or how long my cycle would be without the added pill hormones telling me what to do. For some ladies it takes ages for their cycles to settle in to a normal routine.

In the end we didn't actively try, but just let nature take its course. My AF came along on exactly day 28. There seems to be conflicting information about how long the pill stays in your system some say it can linger for months, but others say i only takes a few days, which surely must be the case otherwise you would never have a period whilst on the pill.

IMO there's no harm in getting a bit of practice in this month and if it happens all the better.

There is no evidence that I am aware of about increased risk of miscarriage.
Apart from accurate dating of the pregnancy, there is also no need to wait unless you want to. There is only a one in five chance of you getting pregnant the first month anyway so it is unlikely to be an issue. A good friend of mine was lucky enough to conceive both her children the first month off the pill each time though, it didn't make any difference to her pregnancy and the 12 week ultrasound exists to give you an accurate due date anyway.

must learn to check.before posting it appears it's an urban myth. Good luck ttc regardless of when you decide to start.

Thanks Phoenix, I'm glad you were wrong (in the nicest possible way...). I did find it mentioned a couple of places and hoped it wasn't scientifically proven.

ChunkyChicken, 28 days is AGES to wait! Not because there is any reason for getting pregnant ASAP, but once I've started on a project I hate to wait!

We're not taking it too seriously (well, not at first) so yes, in all likelihood I won't get pregnant that quickly anyway and all this is just academic. I'm seeing the GP soon to check that I'm up to date with immunisations so if my blood tests show that I need a booster then I'll have to postphone things anyway.

I was told by my doc to not try and conceive straight after the pill as more likelyhood of multiple births etc- something about ovaries going into overdrive etc.
But thats not happening plus my cycles are like 42-45 days long. Not impressed! :(

Yes, freckly, I'd read something about multiple births too. The thing is, they kind of run in my family and so I don't think of it as being a bad thing (please, please no-one with twins come and tell me off!).

hehehe i am a twin and i think the same Vegemite....