Preparing to start trying for a baby is an exciting step, and a big part of that is saying goodbye to your contraceptive. Whether you've been using condoms, the pill, the patch, the injection, or need to get an IUD or implant removed, there are ways you can help your body transition into the perfect baby-making space.
This article may help answer:
↓ When should I come off the pill?
↓ How long does it take for contraception to leave my body?
↓When will I be fertile again?
Find out more:
Stopping contraception
Ready to get pregnant? Stop using contraception. As long as you’re happy and healthy, there’s nothing to prevent you from trying immediately. Just keep in mind that every woman is different. Depending on your method of contraception and on your body, it might take a while.
Condoms – condoms don’t affect your ovulation, so all you need to do is stop using them. But… maybe don’t throw them away. If the expiry date is a few years away, you might need them post-baby.
The pill/patch – while every woman is different, chances are your menstrual cycle will return to normal within 4-8 weeks of stopping the pill/patch, or even sooner. Speak to your GP if you have any concerns.
The injection – as the hormones need to be cleared from your body, your menstrual cycles will only return to normal several months after your last injection.
IUD – there is nothing to stop you from getting pregnant as soon as your IUD is removed, and using an IUD should not affect your future fertility. Talk to your doctor when you have the device removed for any additional advice.
Starting to try
There are no hard and fast rules about when you should start trying for a baby after coming off birth control. Some might want to dive right in, while others may want to wait until they see signs that they’re ovulating. Once you get your first period, you can use the Elevit ovulation tracker to stay on top of when you’re most likely to get pregnant.
Will sex feel different after contraception?
If this is the first time you’ve tried to get pregnant, sex might feel even better, and maybe a little exciting after saying goodbye to contraception. If you’ve been using the pill or an IUD, your body may go through some changes as your hormones settle. However, this shouldn’t affect how sex feels. If you experience any discomfort, talk to your GP for advice.
References
- National Health and Medical Research Council. Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand Including Recommended Dietary Intakes, 2006.
- De-Regil Lm et al, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 12. Art. No.: CD007950.
- Vutyavanich T. et al. Obstet & Gynecol 2001; 97(4): 577–582.
- Sahakian V. et al. Obstet & Gynecol 1991; 78(1): 33–6.
- The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation and Pregnancy (2019) Available at: Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation and Pregnancy
- European Food Safety Authority, Scientific Opinion, EFSA Journal 2010; 8(3):1461.
- Bramswig S et al. Int J Vitam Nutr Res 79(2), 2009, 61-70. Sponsored by Roche Consumer Health Ltd.
- Czeizel AE, Dudás I. Prevention of the first occurrence of neural-tube defects by periconceptional vitamin supplementation. N Engl J Med. 1992;327:1832–1835. Supplements supplied by Hoffmann-LaRoche.
- Department of Health (Cth) Pregnancy Care Guidelines available at: Pregnancy Care Guidelines
- Schaefer C et al. Nutrients 2020, 12(12), 384. Sponsored by Bayer.
- National Institutes of Health: Choline fact sheet for health professionals. Accessed July 2022. Available at: NIH Choline Fact Sheet
- National Health and Medical Research Council. Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand. Choline. Accessed November 2022. Available at: Nutrient Reference Values
- Long S. Goldblatt J. MTHFR Genetic Testing: Controversy and clinical implications. RACGP. AFP Vol 45, No. 4, April 2016. Accessed Nov 2022. Available at: MTHFR Genetic Testing
- Cabezuela M et al. Nutrients 2020, 12(1):80. Sponsored by Generaliert Vacciniana, grant PROMETEO-2018-167 to J.R.V. and T.B.
- Elevit 20th Anniversary Source Data. We estimate that we have supported 2 million babies over the last 20 years. Based on ABS Births 2001-2019, FiftyFive5 Brand Penetration research 2018 and FiftyFive5 Green Cross 2 Research 2021.
- Healthdirect website: Healthdirect Foods High in Vitamin D
- National Health and Medical Research Council. Iodine Supplementation for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women. 2010. Accessed November 2022. Available at: NHMRC Iodine Supplementation
- Linner A, Almgren M. Epigenetic programming – The important first 1000 days. Acta Paediatr. 2020;109(3):443-452.
- Morning Sickness. Government of Western Australia. Available at: Morning Sickness Article
- Kuroda et al. 2021. Effects of periconceptional multivitamin supplementation on folate and homocysteine levels depending on genetic variants of methyltetrahydrofolate reductase in infertile Japanese women. Nutrients. 13.1381. Study financially supported by Bayer Healthcare Consumer Care.
- The Pregnancy Nutrition Survey by Elevit. Survey of 1,000+ Australians aged 18-54. Commissioned by Bayer, executed by Researchify.
[S0] Elevit® Pre-Conception Film Coated Tablets. Category D: Multiple substance formulation. Each tablet contains calcium (calcium carbonate, calcium-D-pantothenate &calcium-L-methylfolate) 125 mg; magnesium (magnesium oxide) 100 mg; vitamin C (ascorbic acid) 85 mg; niacin (nicotinamide) 18 mg; iron (ferrous fumarate) 14 mg; zinc (zinc citrate) 11 mg; vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate)10 mg; vitamin B5 (calcium-D-pantothenate) 6 mg; manganese (manganese sulfate monohydrate) 2 mg; vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride) 1,9 mg; vitamin B1 (thiamine mononitrate) 1,4 mg; vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 1,4 mg; copper(cupric sulfate) 1 mg; vitamin A (retinyl palmitate) 770 μg; folic acid (calcium-L-methylfolate) 400 μg; iodine (potassium iodide) 150 μg; selenium (sodium selenite) 60 μg; biotin (D-biotin) 30 μg; vitamin D (cholecalciferol) 5 μg; vitaminB12 (cyanocobalamin) 2,6 μg. Elevit® Pre-Conception supports good health for mom and baby, before pregnancy and until the end of first trimester.
[S0] Elevit® Pregnancy Soft Gelatine Capsule. Category D: Multiple substance formulation. Each capsule contains DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) 200 mg; vitamin C (calcium ascorbate) 85 mg; EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) 80 mg; magnesium (magnesium oxide) 57 mg; niacin (nicotinamide) 18 mg; iron (ferrous fumarate) 14mg; vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate) 10 mg; zinc (zinc oxide) 10 mg; vitamin B5 (calcium-D-pantothenate) 6 mg; vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride) 1,9 mg; vitamin B1 (thiamine mononitrate) 1,4 mg; vitamin B2 (riboflavin)1,4 mg; copper (cupric sulfate) 1 mg; vitamin A (beta-carotene) 771 μg; folic acid (pteroylmonoglutamic acid & calcium L-methylfolate) 400 μg; iodine (potassium iodate) 150 μg; selenium (sodium selenite) 60 μg; biotin (D-biotin) 30μg; vitamin D (cholecalciferol) 5 μg; vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) 2,6 μg. Elevit® Pregnancy supports good health for mom and baby during pregnancy.. Always use as directed on the label.
[S0] Elevit® Breastfeeding Soft Gelatine Capsules. Category D: Multiple substance formulation. Each capsule contains DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) 200 mg; calcium (tricalcium phosphate) 120 mg; vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) 60 mg; vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) 17 mg; iron (ferrous fumarate) 9 mg; vitamin B5 (calcium-D-pantothenate) 7 mg; vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate) 5 mg; zinc (zinc oxide) 5 mg; vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride) 2 mg; vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 1,6 mg; vitamin B1 (thiamine mononitrate) 1,4 mg; vitamin A (beta-carotene)721 μg; lutein (lutein) 250 μg; folic acid (pteroylmonoglutamic acid) 200 μg; iodine (potassium iodate) 150 μg; biotin (D-biotin) 35 μg; selenium (sodium selenite) 35 μg; vitamin D (cholecalciferol) 5 μg; vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) 2μg. Elevit® Breastfeeding supports the increased nutritional needs during breastfeeding for baby’s ongoing healthy development
This unregistered medicine has not been evaluated by the SAHPRA for its quality, safety or intended use. Bayer (Pty) Ltd, Collaboration Hub, 1st Floor, Waterfall Circle, 9 Country Estate Drive, Waterfall City, Midrand, 2090, South Africa. Co. Reg. No.: 1968/011192/07 Tel: +27 11 921 5000 www.bayer.co.za CH-20260327-102
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