How long should I wait after stopping the birth control pill to try to get pregnant? If I’ve been on the pill for many years, do I need to wait a certain period of time before trying to conceive? Can being on the pill long term before trying to get pregnant harm my baby?
These are all questions that women who have been on the pill worry about. This article answers FAQs about the pill.
How Long Do You Have to Wait to Conceive After Pill?
Health professional used to advise women wait several months for their menstrual cycles to return to normal after stopping the birth control pill before trying to get pregnant. However, doctors no longer believe this is absolutely necessary.
On the other hand, there is one disadvantage to immediately trying to conceive after stopping oral contraceptives. If you conceive right away, it might be a little challenging to determine when your due date is since you may not have had a period yet or your menstrual cycles might not yet be regular.
How Long Does it Take After Stopping Pill to Get Pregnant?
It is possible to become pregnant immediately after you quit taking the pill. Women usually start ovulating a couple of months after quitting the pill. Yet ovulation can occur sooner, in as little as two weeks after the last pill.
MayoClinic.com states, “Once ovulation resumes, you can become pregnant. If this happens during your first cycle off the pill, you may not have a period at all. Although this scenario is possible, it isn't likely.”
It is common for it to take a bit of time for a woman’s body to get back to normal and for her to get pregnant. Pregnancy-Info.net remarks, “Typically, it takes about three months for full fertility to return.” Nevertheless, the site also states over 90% of women will get pregnant after a year of being off the pill.
Does Birth Control Pill Use Affect Baby?
Doctors used to be concerned that conceiving soon after stopping the pill could increase the risk of miscarriage. Research, however, has proved these concerns to be false. Studies have even shown that babies of women who become pregnant while on the pill are not at greater risk of birth defects or other problems, according to Pregnancy-Info.net
Pregnancy After Pill
The birth control pill prevents a woman from ovulating and thus becoming pregnant. Once you discontinue taking oral contraceptives, you can become pregnant. In some instances, women conceive right away, but it usually takes several months. Women who have taken the pill are not at an increased risk of miscarrying.
Sources:
MayoClinic.com, “Birth control pill FAQ: Benefits, risks and choices” (accessed November 6, 2010).
Pregnancy.About.com, “How long should I wait to get pregnant after going off the pill?” (accessed November 6, 2010).
Pregnancy-Info.net, “The Pill and Pregnancy” (accessed November 6, 2010).
Aimee Larsen Stoddard - Aimee is a professional writer/editor. She has a BA in English and is currently completing an MS in Theology.
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