Trying for a baby

[Louise07]

My partner and I have decided to try for a baby. Do I just stop taking the pill midway through the pack or do I have to continue with the current pack until I finish it and then come off it?? TIA

[redcrx]

you can stop whenever you want to. It makes no difference at all.

[anitsirky]

The pill is not like a course of antibiotics that you might have to complete. It basically prevents the eggs being released by your ovaries. If you miss a pill your normal hormones act as they otherwise would and so you would ovulate (release the egg). If the egg is released from the ovary it is making itself available to be fertilised - you could become pregnant. For more information see http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23068708/ for how the pill works.

Some women may find that it takes a while to conceive when they come off the pill, but others have no trouble.

[Swiper]

I'm sure my doctor told me to finish my pack and then wait until I had 2 or 3 normal periods before we tried. I got pregnant within a month anyway and we now have a wonderful 3 year old girl!

[Thicko2006]

There is actually a little more to it than just stopping taking the pill.

[Bohne]

When we decided to have a baby, I accidentally had skipped a pill anyway, and decided to take that as a sign.
I was pregnant within six weeks...

Munchkin is seven months now!

Good luck!

[winny]

you can stop whenever. My doc said some women get pregnant on the pill anyway and any hormones left will do no harm. The only thing is if you stop mid packet it may take longer to work your cycle out as it may change. I stopped mid way and all was well.

[littleone85]

As everyone else said it doesn't matter when you finish taking them if you wait until you have proper periods again it just makes it easier for your doctor to estimate your due date

[shivvy]

Hi Louise. It is also commonly recommended for women to take Folic Acid whilst trying for a baby and in the early stages of pregnancy. It reduces the chances of brain and spinal defects in the baby so this might be something that you would want to talk to your GP about?
Good luck trying!

[winny]

Well said shivvy. The chemist will sell the ones recommended whilst trying and for the first 3 months of pregnancy. Good luck trying. It is always worth seeing the gp who will give you any tips and a quick check over, mine did and was very nice.