Medically reviewed by Daniel Vinick, MD
You’ve decided you’re ready to grow your family. For many people, the first step is to stop birth control. That often brings up questions. How soon can I get pregnant? Will my period go back to normal? Is there anything I should do first?
The good news is that most bodies get back to their own rhythm fairly quickly. Here’s what to expect and how to get ready for a healthy pregnancy.
Start with a visit before pregnancy
Before you stop birth control, think about seeing your OB/GYN. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends care before pregnancy. It helps you get as healthy as you can first.
Your provider can check that health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure or thyroid disease are under control. They can also review your medicines and vaccines and suggest a prenatal vitamin. If you have an IUD or implant, your provider may also remove it at this visit or schedule a follow-up for removal.
What changes when you stop birth control?
Most types of birth control use hormones. These hormones mainly work by stopping ovulation, when your ovaries release an egg each month.
When you stop birth control, the hormones leave your body within a few days. Your brain and ovaries then start working on their own again. Within weeks to months, you begin to ovulate and your regular cycle returns.
You may also notice these common changes after you stop birth control:
- Your period may be hard to predict
- Symptoms of PMS, PMOS, endometriosis or other hormone conditions may return
- Your mood or sex drive may change
For most people, these changes settle within a few months.
Some birth control options, like the copper IUD, don’t use hormones, so your body keeps ovulating while you use them. After a copper IUD is removed, your cycle usually stays the same.
How soon can you get pregnant after stopping birth control?
You can get pregnant soon after you stop birth control, sometimes right away. But how long it takes your body to fully return to normal depends on the type you used. A large study of nearly 18,000 women planning a pregnancy found these average delays:
- IUDs and implants: about two monthly cycles
- The pill and vaginal ring: about three cycles
- The patch: about four cycles
- The shot: about five to eight cycles
These delays were short-term for every type of birth control. Using birth control for many years also does not make it harder to get pregnant later.
How can you stay healthy while trying to get pregnant?
Trying to get pregnant can be a stressful and emotional time. But you can take care of your body in ways that support you through the process, from conception to birth and beyond.
- Take folic acid: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends taking 400 micrograms daily. This B vitamin helps prevent some brain and spine birth defects, which can form very early, often before you know you’re pregnant
- Track your cycle: Write down when your period starts and any symptoms. This helps you and your provider learn your patterns
- Watch for signs of ovulation: Many people notice clear, slippery discharge, like raw egg whites, a few days before they ovulate. Ovulation test kits from the drugstore can also help you find your most fertile days
- Build healthy habits: Eat well, stay active and avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
It’s normal to feel eager, or even a little anxious. Getting pregnant often takes a few months, even for healthy people. A short wait doesn’t mean something is wrong or that birth control caused a problem.
Call your OB/GYN if your period hasn’t come back within three months of stopping birth control. You should also make an appointment if you haven’t gotten pregnant after:
- 12 months of trying, if you are under age 35
- Six months of trying, if you are 35 or older
If you are over 40, or have a health problem that may affect pregnancy, talk with your provider sooner.
Planning for a pregnancy is exciting, and you don’t have to do it alone. At WMCHealth, our OB/GYN providers offer advanced care before, during and after pregnancy.