TTC #1 soon and so many questions...

[spilttheteaagain]

I'm on Cerazette mini pill and am so looking forward to coming off it for lots of reasons, esp (obviously) hopefully getting pg. We are hoping to start TTC in the summer and I have lots of questions:

-Do you just abandon the pill packet when you want to, or should you wait for a period or something? Should you go see your GP?

-Ideally, should your system go back to normal sort of straight away (ovulate within a month or two of stopping the pill?) How would you know things were working and there was a chance of getting pg?

-Has anyone had size effects to do with coming off the pill? I had lots of nausea and vomiting when I started trying to take the combined pill, hence now on the mini pill - wondered if I might have this delight again?!

-Are there things, health wise, that I should do in the next few months? I figured some exercise would be a good start. I've heard people mention Pregnacare, but what is it?

Sure I will think of lots of other things to ask in due course, but that's probably a long enough OP for now!

Thanks for any advice etc
excited & impatient

Cycles returning to normal after the pill can very from person to person. Some women get pregnant straight away. For others, they may have had irregular cycles beforehand which is why they were on the pill in the first place, and these will return to being irregular. So, totally up to you if you want to wait till you're ready to ttc or stop taking the pill now so you can get to know your cycles.

Being fit and healthy is always best, but don't overdo it as this can effect your cycles.

If you eat healthily (ie not a diet that consists entirely of junk food) then folic acid is the only supplement you need to take preferably up to 3 months before ttc.

Cut down on binge drinking and excessive caffeine intake. That goes for your partner too!

And it is very exciting!! But bear in mind that it might take a few months so try not to alter your lifestyle too much that you feel you're depriving yourself, which can make it more difficult if it doesn't happen immediately.

The very best of luck to you!

I was at my GPs for another reason a few months ago and told him I was about to come of the pill and TTC and his only advice was to start taking folic acid when I do. He told me that his wife took Pregnacare when she was up the duff and he seemed like a sensible kind of bloke so i figured it was good enough for me too. He always checks my blood pressure and weight and makes sure I've had a smear recently when I go in anyway.

Pregnacare is a multivitamin with folic acid, available anywhere - chemist, supermarket. You shouldn't take a regular multivitamin because of something to do with vitamin A not being so good for babies. It's not cheap and to be honest I didn't exactly shop around. Some people have side effects (puking) but I haven't had any problems.

I would suggest going to your GP if you have concerns and questions or particular health problems as the info and advice online can be good but is a bit overwhelming and who knows how accurate it is?

I waited till the end of a pill pack before stopping as I think stopping mid pack isn't great (I was on the combined pill) and I think I got back to normal pretty quickly. I didn't have any side effects and I think that the cramps mid cycle are a good sign that you're ovulating. However I'm not an expert at all and I expect someone on here will correct me if I'm wrong as there are some proper conception boffins floating around!!

Good luck

p.s and excercise is good for you whether you're ttc or not so get out there!