So how does this conception business work exactly.....

[wildone81]

Hi ladies, new to the boards following a post-honeymoon decision to ditch the contraception and I'm looking for your collective wisdom/advice/guidance.....

Basically, I took my last pill on Monday night (21st Sept.) and expect a withdrawal bleed to start on Saturday (26th Sept.) question is, do I count that as the first day of my cycle, or do I need to wait for the first day of my first non-withdrawal period?

Have been on pill 15 years +, originally to control my cycle, so have not the faintest idea what my cycle should be....also getting myself confused as to wether I could randomly ovulate at some point this week (before starting withdrawal bleed) and end up conceiving without ever falling back into my natural cycle?

Sorry-so many questions! Grateful for any advise though....

You could conceive immediately after coming off the pill, it's certainly possible. The advice I've read in the past suggests waiting one full cycle before starting trying though, but I think the only reason for this is that if you do get pregnant first cycle, you won't know how far along you are.

I would count your first bleed as the first day of your cycle and make a note of it, but be prepared for your cycle length to be all over the place for a while as it settles down.

When I stopped the pill I didn't count my first bleed as it's a withdrawal bleed rather than a period but I suppose it doesn't do any harm logging it. I do know that it was 45 days after stopping my pill that I had my first proper period so it obviously took me a while to ovulate. My friend has got pregnant twice within a month of stopping though xx

Personally I would count it, or at least make a note of the date. You could OV at any time so if you did fall PG, you'd use the withdrawal bleed for reference purposes and then get a proper due date at your dating scan.

I'd count from day one of blood, withdrawal or otherwise.