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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

Coming off pill mid-pack ttc?!?

27 replies

Sshsecretenclosed · 27/12/2016 15:38

Dear all,
Me and husband have decided now is the time (!) I have been on the pill for nine years and I am 6 days into a pack - my last pack actually. We want to start ttc as soon as we can, as we understand it might take a long while for my body to get back to normal. Ive searched the internet and found mixed responses to stopping the pill mid pack. What are people's own findings? TIA x

OP posts:
MouseLove · 27/12/2016 20:17

Finish the pack. It will make it easier for you to track things. Coming off mid pack can sometimes throw your cycles into a major wack. For the sake of 3 weeks I'd personally wait. Good luck, remember the pill can give you irregular cycles for months and lots of crazy symptoms. X

Original poster
Sshsecretenclosed · 27/12/2016 20:39

Thank you for advice. I know - I'm worrying it won't all restart!! Eek.

OP posts:
MouseLove · 27/12/2016 20:44

It might not for a little while but if you're patient then you'll be fine. My first cycle off the pill was 50 days.

MrsFinkelstein · 27/12/2016 22:53

You can stop the pill at any time during the packet, it will make no difference in return to fertility. You would have your usual withdrawal bleed when you stop, and most likely ovulate thereafter. It can take up to 3 - 4 months for periods/fertility to get back to normal, but theoretically you can ovulate from 14-21 days after stopping the pill.

It all depends on type of pill, your age and what your own menstrual cycle is, it's rare to have a 28 day cycle.

Flingmoo · 27/12/2016 22:54

I think I just randomly stopped mine the day DH and I decided to start trying for a baby and both times I was pregnant within a month...

quince2figs · 27/12/2016 23:05

Hi, OP. It makes no difference at all when you stop your pill to conceive. It won't make any appreciable difference to when you ovulate (likely within a week of stopping, after a withdrawal bleed). Nor is there any need to have the pill "out your system" for dating or for washing hormones away, or any other myth you can think of.
The pill does NOT delay fertility for 3-4 months, which most people seem to believe - think of how easily women conceive with 1 or 2 missed pills! You may not conceive quickly, as anything up to a year is normal. You may not have regular periods back immediately, as your natural cycle may be different to the induced withdrawal bleed on the combined pill. However, neither of these will be anything to do with having recently stopped the pill.
COI: I'm a consultant gynaecologist, specialising in contraception and reproductive/sexual health. I also had both children in my late 30's, conceiving in the same month I stopped the pill...!
Good luck.

Bubblegum89 · 27/12/2016 23:07

I stopped mine when I still had just over a week left. Had a withdrawal bleed 4 days later and 2 weeks after that I got a positive OPK yesterday so assuming I will be ovulating some time this week. I think that you're advised to finish a pack because it CAN mess up your cycles and it can make dating a potential pregnancy difficult. I guess it just depends on your body really. Some people get back in to their cycle fine, others take a while. It's whether or not you're okay taking that risk :)

Amz26 · 28/12/2016 02:15

I'm not sure if it will make any difference if you stop half way through as I didn't take the rest of my pack.. I stop taking it on the 1st December and didn't have a withdrawal bleed or period and I've just got my BFP today!! So I think it's just down to the person, everyone is different... Good luck in your TTC journey xxx

Original poster
Sshsecretenclosed · 28/12/2016 15:12

Wow Amz that's incredible!! Congratulations xx

OP posts:
Amz26 · 28/12/2016 16:37

Thanks so much!! I'm still in shock, but as long as you are DTD you have a chance... Good luck xx

Original poster
Sshsecretenclosed · 28/12/2016 17:03

I'm amazed. Here's me worrying about pre conception vitamins and pre seed lube and your experience has given me so much hope!! Maybe I need to not take that pill tonight.....

OP posts:
Amz26 · 28/12/2016 17:16

I was the same as you and I was worried I didn't get a withdrawal bleed.. I think if you and your OH are ready for a baby then why wait to finish the pack! It's only so the doctors can work out the due dates.. I haven't read any studies that say it can harm the baby.. So why not xx

Original poster
Sshsecretenclosed · 28/12/2016 17:29

Why not indeed. You and your partner feeling excited or apprehensive??! It's a nerve wracking time I bet! Zx

OP posts:
Amz26 · 28/12/2016 17:40

Well it's come as such a shock so a mixture of both to be honest!! I'm so excited but nervous at the same time!! Think my OH was in shock last night.. He kept looking at the test all night long.. We didn't think it would happen this quick!! Do you think you'll start trying ASAP? X

Original poster
Sshsecretenclosed · 28/12/2016 18:12

I'd like to but then I get a pang of, 'will we be able to cope financially?!? Etc.'
we have been married for a year and a half now and have been together for ten years. It definitely feels like a natural step that we both want. I'm 30 next year and conscious that I'm getting older too xx

OP posts:
Amz26 · 28/12/2016 18:26

I think that's what my OH was thinking when we got the BFP! I'm a nanny so I know how much kids can be... But even my boss who I would say has a lot of money..said it's tough for money sometimes.. I guess they just have more outgoing.. E.g paying a nanny, school fees and 2 holidays a year!!! I think we all live to our means and I think even if you have a lot of money you could always do with more.. Well that was my outlook! I totally understand where you are coming from and I felt the same to be honest xx

TurquoiseDress · 28/12/2016 19:26

Personally, I think it really doesn't matter whether you complete the full pill pack or not- you'll likely get a withdrawal bleed shortly after you take the last pill and then you can start tracking your cycles etc.

Earlier this year, I stopped the combined pill (when the pack finished), had withdrawal bleed and fell pregnant before I had a "proper" period. My first pregnancy a couple of years before, was the same after taking the pill for more than 10 years.

Unfortunately the most recent pregnancy ended at the dating scan with MMC in the summer.

I've not heard much about "flushing hormones out of your system" when you come off the pill- I don't believe there is any "residual" in the system.
Look at women who fall pregnant during the pill free week (and do not start new pack on time) & those who miss a couple of pills and then are pregnant.

If I was you, I'd just stop the pill now & crack on with TTC!
Also, re dating the pregnancy- thats what the 12 week scan is for, I've heard it's pretty accurate at that stage...you don't necessarily need to delay TTC to ensure you can date the pregnancy.

Good luck!

Original poster
Sshsecretenclosed · 01/01/2017 15:47

I stopped taking it two days ago. I'm now embarking on taking my seven seas trying for a baBy vits instead. Thanks for advice and here's hoping my body just kick starts - might be dreaming!!

OP posts:
Amz26 · 02/01/2017 13:10

Such good news!!! Good luck in your journey TTC X

HeyJupiter · 02/01/2017 13:45

Ohh good luck! I came off the pill two years ago (we weren't TTC at that time, I just wanted to have a break after being on it over a decade!) and my first period came exactly 28 days later. Have had regular 26-28 day cycle since with lots of evidence that I'm ovulating... so things can regulate pretty quickly it seems.

DH and I trying for the first time this month... very exciting. Keep us all posted.

Original poster
Sshsecretenclosed · 02/01/2017 17:01

Thanks Amz I really appreciate the support. Wow jupiter you have made me very hopeful!! I seem to be having a withdrawal bleed ATM. Started this morn.

OP posts:
HeyJupiter · 02/01/2017 17:06

That's a good start. You can start tracking your cycles from the day your withdrawal bleed started. Are you using an app like Ovia or anything? That can help. Although my cycles regulated immediately it's really normal for it to take some time so don't worry if things are a bit all over the place for a while. I've found the clearblue ovulation sticks helpful too in establishing when exactly I am ovulating (later in cycle than I thought) although maybe give your body some time to recover before going down that route :)

It's been really nice to get to know my cycles over the last few months so we're ready to get trying now. I hope you start feeling in tune with your body in the same way soon and your body adjusts quickly :)

Original poster
Sshsecretenclosed · 02/01/2017 17:54

Thanks Jupiter. Yes I have downloaded Ovia and Clue. I feel so silly really because I actually am dreaming of no period just a BFP in a few weeks time but know the reality is my body hasn't had periods for 9 years because of the pill!! Need to chill, relax and hopefully the BFP will come when it's time. We can't wait!

OP posts:
HeyJupiter · 02/01/2017 17:57

I'm the same! We've built up for so long to this and literally started properly trying yesterday. Feels very odd trying to get pregnant after so many years of wanting the opposite. I've been dreaming about it too but agree that need to chill and relax a bit. It will happen when it happens.

Original poster
Sshsecretenclosed · 02/01/2017 19:05

Yes. We must try and relax but it is so hard. I'm definitely not planning what pram we could get, thinking of how I'd announce or double checking both cars have isofix.....

OP posts: