Getting pregnant after the pill

Planning a pregnancy? For many women, stopping the pill is the first step to having a baby. We look at what happens to your body, how to improve your chances and when it’s safe to start trying.

By Lynne Roberts

Will 15 years on the pill hinder my chances?

If you’ve spent most of you adult life trying not to get pregnant, you may worry that long term use of the pill could affect your chances of conception.

However, according to the NHS there is 'no connection between how long the pill has been taken and fertility problems.'

The pill works by preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg each month, so providing you had no problems beforehand there’s no reason why you shouldn’t begin to ovulate again once you stop taking it, whether it’s been 5 months or 15 years.

See also:
- Ovulation and Fertility calculator
What happens to my body when I stop?

The combined pill, used by the majority of women, contains both oestrogen and progestogen and controls hormone levels to prevent ovulation.

It also thickens the cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach the egg, and thins the lining of the uterus, making a fertilised egg less likely to implant. Once you stop it takes just a few days for the hormones to leave your system, and it will then take a little time for your body to readjust and establish its own cycle – after that, it’s business as usual.

See also:
- Ovulation and Fertility calculator
When will I get my next period?

You may be keen to start trying for a baby as soon as you stop taking the pill, but be prepared for your periods to be irregular for a little while.

Some women ovulate within as little as a week, while for others like iVillager Alex9 it can take 'a good six months' for everything to return to normal.

Bear in mind though that a range of factors such as weight, stress and diet can all affect menstruation – whether you’ve been taking the pill or not.

See also:
- Ovulation and Fertility calculator
How long will it take to get pregnant?

It is possible to get pregnant even when taking the pill and some women conceive within weeks of stopping, like iVillager Clare who says, 'you can get pregnant straight away – I did!'

For others it can take a while, but fertility is affected by other factors like age and general health, so if you’re struggling to conceive it may have nothing to do with the pill.

Around 85 per cent of couples will get pregnant within a year of trying regardless of which contraceptive they used previously.

See also:
- Ovulation and Fertility calculator
When is it safe to start trying?

Some women worry that hormones from the pill could affect their fertility or even their baby’s health if they start trying too soon. In fact, some women do get pregnant while taking the pill, and there’s no evidence it reduces fertility or poses an increased risk of miscarriage or abnormalities.

While it’s safe to get pregnant as soon as you stop, waiting a little is no bad thing as it will buy you time to get in shape physically and prepare yourself mentally for the road ahead.

See also:
- Ovulation and Fertility calculator
Why do some doctors tell you to wait two or three months before trying?

There’s no risk to you or your baby if you start trying immediately, but some doctors recommend waiting until you have had one or two normal periods first.

That way if you do conceive quickly you’ll be sure of your dates, which in turn will help your doctor know how your baby is developing.

Knowing when you ovulate can help you plan ahead, so keep an eye on your cycle and get to know the days you’re most fertile.

See also:
- Ovulation and Fertility calculator
What can I do to improve my chances?

Most experts say having sex every two or three days throughout the month will give you the best chance of conceiving, but you can increase the odds by getting in shape before you start.

Stop smoking, cut down on alcohol and caffeine and start taking folic acid before you finish your last pack of pills to protect against birth defects like spina bifida.

Keep an eye on your weight too – your goal should be a BMI of between 20 and 25, but eat sensibly as crash dieting won’t improve your health or your fertility.

See also:
- Ovulation and Fertility calculator
What if my periods aren’t regular?

If your periods were unpredictable before taking the pill you are less likely to establish a regular cycle when you stop.

The NHS says, 'While the pill doesn’t cause fertility problems, it does mask problems that were already there, such as irregular periods.' Without regular periods it can be hard to tell when you’re ovulating, so try charting your basal body temperature, check your cervical mucus or invest in an ovulation prediction kit to help you know your cycle.

If you don’t get your period after stopping the pill do a pregnancy test anyway, as it may be you’ve ovulated without realising it.

See also:
- Ovulation and Fertility calculator
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Don't leave it all to chance if you're trying to get pregnant.