Hello-
I'm looking for some advice. My husband and I are hoping to start TTC in June. I've been on BC for around 12 years. I would like to go off BC and start charting, but I am scared to death of doing it wrong and getting pregnant. I do not want to get pregnant before June because we have a trip to Europe planned in May and I want to be able to enjoy it fully without being pregnant. Do you think Jan 1 is too early to go off BC? Should I wait until closer to May just in case? I don't want to wait too long and then not be regulated by the time we want to TTC. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
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I was told three months before TTC to go off the Pill. Also, start right away on Prenatal vitamins. Good luck!
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My gyno said we could start trying right away after going off BC (though I've heard other doctors say to give it 2-3 cycles), so if you absolutely aren't ready to get pregnant before June, I'd say hold off on going off the pills until then. If your cycles don't return to normal right away though you may have to wait a bit before you can actually get pregnant.
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I agree with @MrsMcGyro. My doctor told me we can start TTC immediately after stopping BCP, so I'm staying on until we're ready to start. You won't be able to accurately chart while on BCP, though you could always just start to get used to it, though the information you get won't be accurate to what your cycle will be like off BCP.
If you absolutely do not want to get pregnant before your trip in May, I would suggest staying on BCP until then. Unless you're willing to use another form of BC, like condoms.
And definitely start taking prenatals before June. Now would work.
Good luck to you!
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I had planned on going of BCP 6 months before we TTC and charting during that time - I got pregnant 2 wks after I stopped so if you don't want to risk it I would wait until after your trip!
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Thanks for the advice Ladies! I am already taking prenatals, weaning myself off of caffein, starting regular exercise...etc. It's just such a tug-of-war in my mind. If we didn't have this trip planned, I would love to start trying now, but I really don't want to be tired/sick/sore/not able to drink lots of wine and eat lots of soft cheese while in Europe! I think I'll wait until at least March and then maybe start using condoms until June.
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My doctor said we could try as soon as I went off the pill. However, she also told me that she went off birth control, and was already pregnant before she even got her next period...so I wouldn't go off of it until you are absolutely ready. Like after your trip.
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@TJBee: I know exactly what you mean. I've had a trip planned for over a year now and it's the ONLY thing keeping me on my BCP. I would've stopped long ago, but I really don't want to be pregnant on my trip, so I'm going to keep taking them and throw them out as soon as I'm back!
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My dr told me 3-6 months before wanting to TTC. That way your body can get back to its own regular cycle, and the BC is completely out of your system.
I'll also add that for extra protection while you are charting, so you don't get pregnant before your trip, you could use other types of BC, such as condoms, etc. You could also use OPK's to know when to stay away from sex.
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These replies are scaring the hell out of me! I'm in the same boat -- going to Europe this summer and definitely do not want to be pregnant, but was planning on having today be my last active pill. We're planning on using condoms until we're really comfortable with FAM and then using FAM/condoms until we're comfortable getting pregnant -- but these responses are freaking me out!
But rationally speaking you (and I) should both be fine if you are good about using another method of contraception. Condoms are nearly as effective as BC pills if you use them diligently. (Plus it will be fun for sex to seem a little 'dangerous' again!)
Good luck to you!
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