Getting Pregnant & Stopping Contraception

The first step towards conceiving a child for a couple regularly having sexual intercourse is to stop using contraceptives. There are very many different methods of contraception available for both men and women today, and each of these bear’s particular considerations when it comes to stopping their use and getting pregnant.

Barrier methods of contraception

Barrier contraceptives work, as the name suggests, by providing a mechanical barrier that prevents contact between male reproductive cells (sperm) and female reproductive cells (eggs). Barrier methods include condoms and diaphragms, both of which are easy to just stop using when you want to get pregnant. Barrier methods have no long lasting effects on your fertility, and as such once you’ve stopped using them you are free to go ahead and conceive!

Hormonal methods of contraception

The most prevalent method of hormonal contraception is the pill, which is a safe and reliable method of birth control. Coming off the pill isn’t quite as simple as just not using a condom, but it isn’t complicated either as the pill doesn’t have long lasting effects on your fertility. That being said it will take some time for your monthly cycle to go back to normal, and that means it might take a little while for you to be at your most fertile. Exactly how long this can take varies from person to person, although typically it won’t take more than a few weeks.

With the combined pill, a slightly different version of the standard contraceptive pill (which is also known as the mini-pill) it is advised that you wait until you have finished the packet of tablets you are currently on before stopping as otherwise you may have some irregular withdrawal bleeding. This is perfectly natural and not dangerous, but can be inconvenient.

How long it takes to get pregnant after taking a contraceptive pill will vary quite a lot from person to person, and you shouldn’t be surprised if it takes a little bit of time for you to get pregnant, that is perfectly normal. Some women will get pregnant as soon as they stop taking their pill, and this is perfectly natural too!

Other hormonal methods include injections and patches, both of which need to be stopped at the end of their prescribed period of effect. What that means is that if you go in to have a fresh injection every 3 weeks for example, you will need to speak to your doctor and he or she will stop applying the injection.

The intrauterine coil (IUD)

Intrauterine coils (also known as intrauterine devices or IUDs) come in different forms, but regardless of which type of IUD you are using, you will need to have it removed by your doctor, which gives you the perfect opportunity to ask any questions about conception you may have.

The standard IUD doesn’t release any hormones as part of its contraceptive effects, and with these devices having them removed is enough to get your body ready to conceive, as there are no lasting effects on your fertility. If you have been using an IUD, which does release hormones as part of its normal effects, then the same principles as the contraceptive pill’s are applied. It may take no time at all or a few weeks to get back to a regular cycle; it all depends on your body and what it feels like doing!

Surgical methods of contraception

The contraceptive implant is the simplest method of surgical contraception, which involves placing a hormone releasing implant underneath your skin. Once removed by the appropriately qualified healthcare professional, you should be back to normal and ready to conceive straight away.

If you have had a more permanent method of surgical birth control, a vasectomy for men and tubal ligation for women, then reversing the surgery is the premise of a surgeon. The procedures can be reversed, but you will need to speak to your doctor and a surgeon who will then assess whether the reversal is possible and how to go about it. You can usually have these reversals through the NHS, but the option of private care can usually speed up the process.

Regardless of what method of contraception you have been using, it can take a while to get pregnant after stopping, so you shouldn’t worry as it can take as long as a year or even two to get pregnant. While in most cases it will not quite so long, remember that your body is unique and will go about its business in the manner it sees fit!

« Preparing to Have a Baby Best Time to Conceive »