How Long Does It Take to Get Pregnant After Stopping Birthcontrol?

Hi M.,

I know it just takes time. With my first daughter I had been on birth control for 5 years and it happened right away. So now with the second time it took almost 7 months since going off birth control. Very frustrating and heart breaking each month. But try to relax and forget about it. I know this is hard. Also, my friend went to the doctor and was told to try an ovulation kit for a month and see what happens. I went to do this, but well I ended up pregnant before I could try it. Hope this helps. Just be patient and it will happen.

Hello, I have heard that it takes about 6 weeks after you stop taking the pill to be able to get pregnant. However I myself got pregnant at 19 and after Emily was born I went on the pill. I was on the pill for about 6 years when we decided to have another baby and I got pregnant about 4 weeks after going off of it. Everyone is different you know that...dont give up and be patient. I know thats easier said then done!!! Good luck!

I guess it all depends. First of all I know you have to relax. As soon as you stop "trying" and let it come naturally, it will happen. You can't be all stressed and stuff, your body won't allow it to happen. I think it also has to do with what type of birth control you were on. I was on the pill for over a year then I switiched to the orthro evera patch. I stopped using the patch when my husband left for Iraq because we knew when he returned we were going to try. He was gone 13 months and it still took 6 or 7 months to get pregnant. With our third baby I stoped the patch in the middle (I didn't finish the full month of patches) I got pregnant that following weekend. (About 3 days) It happened so fast my kids were a little closer in age than though, but it is working out fine. I hope this helps.

Just relax. It's different for everyone, but the more you stress out about it, the longer it will take. Let your body do it's thing. I was on BC for 10 years, went off, had one period, and got pregnant. NOT COMMON!!! I was tracking my temperature to see when I was ovulating, it was apparenty correct because I have a beautiful 2.5 year old son. Timing intercourse is important, but don't try to "schedule" it, or it takes all the fun out of it. Just relax and give it a few more months!

I am having the same problem, except that I was on the pill for 5 Years and my husband and I are trying to have a child. I am not sure that it is medical Problems because he has a daughter already. I am not sure how to take this we have been trying for 3 mnths to have a child adn it is not working for us! How do we go about fixing this problem?

First of all, welcome home and thanks for your service to the country!! I was on the pill for almost 5 years when I came off it to get pregnant and amazingly, I got pregnant the first cycle, but had a miscarriage pretty early. It took 9 months after that to get pregnant and have my son. It was very frustrating but my doctor explained that sometimes the body has to get re-regulated and he was reluctant to do any testing because he was sure I would get pregnant in no time. I would say give it a little more time before worrying. Good luck!!

Hi M.,
The time it takes definitely varies. I was on the pill for about about 7 years before I went off in Jan and got preg right away but miscarried and tried for about 3 months before I got preg again. Do you keep track of your cycle at all to make sure you are ovulating? I would try a fertility monitor or OPK's that tell you for sure when your ovulating. A fertility monitor will tell you 24-48hr before you O so you can make sure you don't miss it. I know it's so hard to hear when people tell you to "just relax" cause all you can think about is getting pregnant! Is your husband into it? It's much easier when they are. Good Luck!!

it took me 3 months exactly to get pregnant! I stopped taking my pills July 1st and conceived in September. I had been on birth control for over 7 years. Be patient, it will come. DO NOT STRESS OR WORRY ABOUT IT! You just got off of the pill and it usually takes a few months to get your system back to normal. Now if you dont get pregnant after 6 months of trying then i would contact the doctor and they can give you advice, but i still wouldnt worry!

I got pregnant during the month after I had stopped taking birth control. Which I was NOT counting on :). Normally I've heard three months... which was why i wasn't concerned and ended up pregnant.

Just relax. You've got lots of time, and stressing will make everything worse. It'll happen. You're not sterile.

Hello!!
It sounds like you have already gotten some good feedback. I have learned through some of my friends that you do have to relax. Anxiety does not physically help your body.
Personally, even though my GYN said go for it right after I was off the pill, we used condoms or other methods of contraception for about three months because I have heard it could take that long to really clean out your system. Three montha after that, my son was conceived. So for us it was a total of 6 months (3 by choice).
GOOD LUCK!!

I would say no time at all! I was on the pill for 10 years when I got pregnant with my daughter. I think it really just depends on your body. I have heard that it will take time for the hormones in the pill to totally leave your body, but I don't really think that's true. It probably depends on the kind of pill you were taking too. If you're really concerned, I would talk to your OB/GYN. I'm sure he/she would be able to answer your questions than us. Also, just relax a little. I've heard from several people that if you are really anxious or stressed, it is harder to conceive. Good Luck!!!

I was on the birth control ring and ended up having a son a month or so after I was off of it . Now I'm on the IUD and I was told that after it's taken out you can get pregnant with in the next year after that.

I've heard that if you think about it too much it takes longer to get pregnant. I guess it's because your all stressed out and want it so bad.

My advice is to stop thinking about it so much and just starting having fun with your partner. Eventually you'll end up pregnant before you know it.

Hi M.,

I think it can take anywhere from 4 to 6+ months to conceive after stopping birth control. Everybody's body is different, of course, so it just depends on how quickly your body gets back on track.

I was on birth control for many years, and it took me around 5 or 6 six months to conceive after I stopped birth control. Just be patient, and it will happen.

I know several people who have trouble conceiving. Most of the problem is being too anxious or stressed about wanting to become pregnant. Try to not think about it and relax. From what I've heard, stess and anxiety really have a lot to do with not being able to get pregnant. I actually know someone who tried for two years, and was really stressed out about it. Her and her husband finally decided to adopt. So, naturally they were finally at ease knowing one day they would be parents. Well, sure enough the day they went to turn in their adoption papers they found out they were expecting. They are due this winter, and have put the adoption process on hold. They still plan to adopt one day too.
Best of luck to you. I'm sure it will happen sooner than later. It took my husband and I about 8 months to get pregnant with our second child, and I wasn't even on birth control prior to trying to get pregnant. Our bodies work in mysterious ways!:)

Hey M. - Just wanted to share from a past OB RN's perspective. Many OBs will tell you that you can conceive right away, but after doing research, I found that usually a women will have hormonal residual for atleast 4-6 months. So, knowing this, some women will ovulate, but not have the balance of progesterone and estrogen right and will not be able to maintain the baby because of inadequate nutrition at the uterine wall. Thus, the chances of miscarrying are greater. I have many friends that conceived and unfortunately loss their baby due to this. Now, I also have other friends who had anovulatory "wacko" cycles for 18 months. So, what I would suggest is start charting, use a barrier method for atleast 4 months and make sure that your luteal phase is long enough to sustain a baby. Take care of YOU nutritionally during this process too. Remember, everything can hook up right, but only 20% of the time does a Baby come from it. Amazing really! Check out "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler too for help in charting. Blessings to you. D.