Scared of not being able to conceive after taking contraception

[bhs652]

Hi I am currently pregnant with my first child. Myself and my partner tried for years to conceive, so this is very special for us.

I'm concerned however, for when I have the baby, sex afterward. I don't want to take contraception because I was on the injection before, and it took years for my body to return to its normal fertile state after discontinuing taking contraception.

I would like another baby in the near future, in around a year to two years, but not as soon as I give birth, as this pregnancy is exhausting.

People say I should take the pill, but I'm petrified for when we want to try for our second, that it'll take my body god knows how long to adjust and flush out the contraception so I'm able to be fully fertile again. (We despise condoms) Wondering if anyone has felt the same way or has any experience. Thank you X

From my understanding the injection is probably the worst option in terms of the body returning to normal once you stop so I think your experience is not unusual. It may be worth reading up on the pros and cons of the different methods.

I got pregnant on the third cycle after stopping the combined pill. I had been on it for around 7 years at the time and no issues but I know this can vary from person to person.

My cycles were slightly different lengths during the 3 months but I used OPKs to pinpoint fertility in the month we conceived.

Diaphragm?

Its obviously different for everyone but I was on the pill for around 10 years on and off - directly before coming off it it was at least 5 years I'd been taking it. I got pregnant as soon as I came off on the 1st cycle.

Hopefully someone will be along who knows more, but my understanding is the progesterone-only methods (implant, mini pill etc) usually clear out of your system quicker than the combined pill or the injection

Anecdotal I know, but i was on the Pill for12 or so years, fell pregnant 6 weeks after stopping, then on again for about18months and fell pregnant 6 weeks after coming off that time.

Good luck with your pregnancy.

I had the implant and conceived the first month I was off it. If you don't like condoms/worried about hormonal contraception have you considered the mirena coil? There are still low levels of hormones but it's mainly a mechanical effect I understand.

Have you considered the implant?
I was on it for 6 years in total. It lasts 3 years and you can have it removed whenever you want. My periods returned shortly after removal and I didn't have any fertility issues.

Copper coil was perfect for me, its hormone free. A bit uncomfortable being fitted but having it out was absolutely fine!

The injection is a known bastard for regaining fertility fast.

Try the implant. You can get pregnant as soon as it's removed. I did on the first and second cycle with my last two.

I was worried too after 14 years (most of my fertile life) on the pill. I got pregnant during my 3rd cycle which I didn't expect at all to be frank.

I came off the pill in dec, had my first proper period end of january. I felt quite bloated and ill coming up to it but afterwards my period was.... Probably regular. I had an early period but i pretty much returned to normal. I was a bit lighter than i remembered at 19 and my moods went as up down. But i was using the cup and no longer a shitty teenager.

So anyway. It can take some people maybe 3 months to get back to normal. Maybe i hadn't even got back to normal in terms of regularity but doesn't seem to have mattered. Might just make calculating the ovulation harder?

I was on the pill for 15 years and fell after my second cycle first time, then went back on the pill for 3 years and have just come off and fallen straight away. I was worried too and of course everyone is different but it is definitely possible

I got pregnant straight away after coming off the mini pill which I was on for years! It comes out of your system pretty quickly so I would say that's your best option!

For hormone free options, it's basically just condoms or the copper coil. PPs are right in that you might find that a different hormonal contraception affects your cycles less, but it's not a guarantee. But the injection is the worst for that so as long as you don't have that one again, you shouldn't have too many problems.