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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Trying to conceive.....HELP!

34 replies

MrsBigBadBeck · 02/03/2013 12:31

Hi I'm new to mumsnet, and just after some help and advice regarding the above subject.

I've been on various oral contraceptives for nearly 5 years, and me husband and I have spoken about wanting to now try for a baby. For the last at least 2 years I've been in Cerazette. I've read some bad reviews about it, but I can't say I've had many bad side effects!

Anyway, just after some useful advice as to what is best to do with coming off the pill? Any handy tips, or if people could give me an idea on how long it took them to conceive after coming off the pill.

Thanks ladies!

OP posts:
gillian1986 · 03/03/2013 18:34

Hello!

I took my last pill on December 21st... Had a withdrawal bleed dec 25th to dec 29th.

1st true period jan 25th to jan 29th.

Next true period feb 23rd to feb 27th.

So... Pretty much back to normal.. ish!

Me and hubby are taking conception multivitamins daily... I also have a couple of iPhone apps to track periods, when we have sex etc ("pink pad" and "my cycles")

I've bought some ovulation predictor kits but haven't used them yet... Might use them this coming week as this is when I'm due to ovulate..

Also have bought conceive plus lubricant for a bit of extra help... We sometimes use lube anyway so best to get a ttc-friendly one instead I thought!

I've had no side effects from coming off the pill... I was on yasmin for ten years.

I have gained some weight but I think that's from Christmas LOL!

Trying to way healthily, drink lots of water, take vitamins and have lots of sex!

Good luck xxx

Original poster
MrsBigBadBeck · 03/03/2013 18:44

I'm going to sound absolutely ridiculous now but I have no idea when I ovulate or how the cycle works still and I'm 23 and have been having periods since I was 11. Help!

I was previously taking Yasmin but been on cerazette for a few years.

Thanks:) and good luck too! X

OP posts:
gillian1986 · 03/03/2013 18:58

Haha babe I was the same dont worry - I'm only 26!

Do you have an iPhone? If you do, I would recommend the apps I mentioned - pink pad and my cycles.

You put in when your periods are (and lots of other info too of you want!) and it works out roughly when you are ovulating and highlights the days in green!

Do a few google searches to get the general info you need... Depending on the length of your cycle will depend on what day of your cycle you ovulate... But everyone is different... It's hard to know for definite but you can estimate and be quite accurate!

If you aren't already making a note of when your periods start and end etc then start now!

The day your period starts is day1 of your cycle.. Up until the day before the first day of your next period. Average is 28 days but some are longer and some are shorter.

Most people ovulate around days 13/14/15 of their cycle....

Xx

gillian1986 · 03/03/2013 18:59

So... Have sex when you're ovulating! Lots of it!

PastaBeeandCheese · 03/03/2013 19:07

I was on Cerazette for years before TTC with no side effects. Came off, had withdrawal bleed and ensured I had one 'normal' period before TTC. I fell pregnant and had DD.

I went back on Cerazette to breastfeed and stopped taking it at new year ready to TTC #2. Just finished 'normal' period after withdrawal bleed in January so will buy some ovulation predictor kits ready to start trying this month.

Agree with OPs who recommend iPhone apps and pre natal vitamins.

Good luck.

gillian1986 · 03/03/2013 19:13

Can't big up the app "my cycles" enough... There's a free version but I paid £1.99 in the App Store for a slightly more advanced version!

I'm excited because the next week is highlighted in green which means I'm ovulating (probably!) and it really spurs me on to have more sex!! Lol...

Long shifts at work and busy days can mean me and hubby can get a bit lazy in that department but I'm definitely more up for it when I know I'm ovulating/fertile!

Plus.. The more we have sex, the more we want it! It's a psychological thing I guess but whatever it is, I'm happy!

roofio87 · 03/03/2013 19:54

I came of the mini pill 18th November, had a withdrawal bleed 20th-23rd Nov then nothing until I got my full af on 1st January. next thing got my bfp 4 weeks after that!! happened very quickly for us, I know we were lucky but it can happen!! good luck!!

gillian1986 · 03/03/2013 19:56

Congrats roofio! Love stories like that.. Makes me realise it can and will happen for all of us eventually! SmileSmile

gillian1986 · 03/03/2013 19:56

And even better that it can happen QUICKLY! Smile

Original poster
MrsBigBadBeck · 03/03/2013 20:23

Oh my god a massive help! Yep have an iPhone so defo downloading:)

I'm sure ill figure it out just confuses me ALOT haha. So reassuring that it can happen do quickly. I have kept track of my periods for the last year on a period app so will throw that info over:)

Got to agree on the sex front; now I know we're trying I want it more than ever :) hubby is loving it typical man!

Thanks girls! Anymore help is appreciated:) xx

OP posts:
gillian1986 · 03/03/2013 20:32

All I can say is DOWNLOAD "MY CYCLES PLUS" ... It's £1.99 I think but worth it!

I also bought the babymad body basal thermometer on amazon for £4.99. I take my temperature every morning and put the results in the app so it's charting my temperature as well... I'm not at a stage where I NEED to be charting my temperature to work out when I'm ovulating but I thought I might as well start doing it Incase I still haven't conceived in months to come as it will be useful to look back on!

gillian1986 · 03/03/2013 20:34

Ooh and like I said, me and hubby are both taking conception multivitamins. I'm on pregnacare conception and he's on the male equivalent! X

ILoveMyCats · 03/03/2013 20:42

I just wanted to add some info about ovulation. Not everyone ovulates in the middle of their cycles, as suggested above and by many GPs. Some women ov much earlier, some much later. While the apps are useful for keeping track, every body is different, and these apps use the text book cycle to calculate when you ov, not your own hormones. Use them as a guide, by all means - I like fertility friend website.
Best advice in the first few cycles is to have sex every other day for your whole cycle. If you can't manage that, for whatever reason, a better rule of thumb is that most women ov around 14 days before their period. So, if you have a 28 day cycle, it would indeed be on day 14, but if you have a 35 day cycle, it would be on day 21. The reason for this is that your cycle is split into 2 halves. First half is before ovulation and can vary in length. Illness and stress can delay ov, but the second half of your cycle, from ov to your period will not vary. It can be from 12-16 days long, but it remains the same for you. If you want to find out more, a very good book is 'taking charge of your fertility' by Toni Weschler. There is a lot of information on other indicators of ov, such as taking your temperature. But, I would just try to have regular sex, eat healthily and take Folic acid initially and perhaps look into other things later on down the line, if necessary. Good luck to you.

gillian1986 · 03/03/2013 21:10

Ilovemycats has just said everything I wanted to say but couldn't find the words or time to type it all (at home cooking and on mumsnet app on my phone!)

The apps are great but nothing is DEFINITE .. They just estimate and guess.. But best to have sex every other day or so throughout your cycle to keep your sex life healthy and ensure you don't miss ovulation which could come at any time! (Although around the middle of your cycle is "normal") xx

Original poster
MrsBigBadBeck · 03/03/2013 21:17

I started on the Folic acid two weeks ago and only stopped my pills this morning so may have a long way to go yet.

Defo trying to eat healthier, alcohol no more and trying not to stress over things. Difficult as I can be a stress head!

While on cerazette my periods were a bit all over the shop. Levelled out to three weeks off 10 days on since November and I've got the typical period symptoms. Hopefully things will start working soon. Have downloaded the app Gillian:)

OP posts:
robotpenguin · 03/03/2013 21:23

Agree the apps - even some free ones - are really handy to keep track of dates, I had been taking the pill for around 13/14 years before stopping 8 months ago to TTC, I have had 5 periods since then, only regular over the last 3 months. GP told me to take Folic Acid. I think its all a bit how long is a piece of string, some of my friends have got pregnant almost instantly, others are still trying after several years. I'm still at the early "just doing our thing and hoping it works" stage and trying not to get too carried away with dates and added pressure to the OH quite yet, when the positive result comes it will be as scary and daunting as it is welcoming!

WakeyCakey · 03/03/2013 21:31

Hey mrs I recommend you join us on the TTC for the first time thread (on phone so can't link)
Everyone is in the same boat trying for the first time and many if us have just come off a pill of some description recently.
It gives you people to rant to or chat with and answer any questions!

gillian1986 · 03/03/2013 21:34

I agree with wakeycakey... I will be spending more time in that thread too!
Im also TTC for the first time it's so exciting.. I haven't stopped much to think how I will actually feel when I get a BFP! Lol! Excited and scared.. And then excited again!

Good luck everyone SmileSmile

Original poster
MrsBigBadBeck · 03/03/2013 21:36

Ah thanks Wakey will have a look for it! Which board is it on?

Sounds to me it happens as and when nature calls:) Apps seem to look useful:)

OP posts:
WakeyCakey · 03/03/2013 21:53

It's on this board, I'm writing on it at the moment so it should be at the top of the page more or less

babyrose · 04/03/2013 07:29

I heard when I was watching fertility wk on this morning that woman are more fertile when they come off contraception!

AttilaTheMeerkat · 04/03/2013 08:57

Ovulation is not an exact science and a woman can ovulate earlier, later or not at all in any given cycle. It is quite possible to have periods too without ovulating and it is not correct either to assume that women ovulate around 14 days before the start of their next period. Its another myth.

Do not put undue pressure on yourselves and make love when you both feel like it (2 or 3 times a week throughout the month is fine) and not just when you think its ovulation time.

If your periods post pill start to become very irregular and or become very heavy and or painful, seek medical advice sooner rather than later.

KatAndKit · 04/03/2013 09:26

For the first six months do not bother with tests, apps, charts etc. Just have lots and lots of lovely fun sex. Take the pressure right off. there is time enough for all the science if you run into difficulties and don't conceive within 12 months. But at first it should be fun. Do keep a record of when your periods are though so you can see if your regular cycle has come back. i took cerazette too and i was straight back to normal once I came off it.

honey86 · 04/03/2013 09:40

i came off cerazette 5 weeks ago. withdrawl bleed for 4 days.. 3 weeks later i got my bfp. was fully expecting a good few month waiting to get back to normal but it happened in a flash.. everyones different x

Original poster
MrsBigBadBeck · 04/03/2013 21:33

That quick?! Wow I didn't realise things could develop so quickly:)

OP posts: