The birth control pill is a popular and effective method of preventing pregnancy. However, at some point, many women decide to stop taking the pill in order to become pregnant. This decision can come with a bit of trepidation if the women is unsure about what to expect, but luckily the process of how to get pregnant after the pill is straightforward.
Step 1
Decide when you would like to stop taking the pill. Although this is a personal preference, finishing off your current package of pills may help prevent irregular bleeding.
Step 2
Decide how long you would like to wait after stopping the pill before actively trying to conceive. There is no medical reason not to try to get pregnant immediately, but waiting a few months for your cycle to return to normal can make it easier to accurately date the pregnancy when you do get pregnant.
Step 3
Try to predict when you will be ovulating. The first day you begin menstruation is considered the first day of your menstrual cycle. If you have a typical cycle, you most likely will ovulate somewhere between days 11 and 21 of your cycle, according to the American Pregnancy Association. To pinpoint ovulation, use an ovulation predictor kit or monitor your cervical mucus or other fertility signs.
Step 4
Time intercourse to take place right before ovulation. Having frequent intercourse a few days preceding ovulation and the day ovulation occurs can maximize your chances of conception, according to the March of Dimes.
Step 5
Be patient and keep trying. Although many people expect to get pregnant the first month they try, it doesn't always work out that way. However, according to the March of Dimes, nine out of 10 couples who actively try to become pregnant will do so within a year.
Tips and Warnings
- Using a calendar to keep track of your menstruation, dates you had intercourse and any changes in physical symptoms can help you and your doctor determine your due date when you do become pregnant. Talk to your doctor about scheduling a preconception checkup before trying to conceive.
- If you have tried unsuccessfully to get pregnant for over a year, you may want to talk to your doctor or other health care provider to determine if a medical condition may be interfering with your ability to get pregnant. If you are over 35, consult a doctor after six months of unsuccessful trying, since pregnancy risks increase with age.
