[name]Hi[/name] Berries,
My boyfriend and I have been discussing when we would like to try to have a baby this year. I would like to try this spring so we end up having him or her in Feb. But I only stopped my BC about two weeks ago. [name]How[/name] long do we have to wait till we can start trying? And at what time is best to try? I hear a lot about watching your cycle. This is all new and exciting for me. I have been doing research but would love to hear your opinions and what you berries have gone through. Thank you!
[name]Hi[/name] [name]Scarlett[/name], so I’m probably not the best person to answer your question since I’m still on bc, but my plan is to wait at least one cycle (so wait until after AF comes once) before I start actively trying. [name]Just[/name] so if I happen to get pregnant right away, I will be able to date the pregnancy easier. Also, I want to make sure I’ve been taking enough folic acid for a little while before too.
I think if you are healthy and under 35, just doing it every other day (if you can!) is a pretty good plan. If you are interested in more information about knowing your body, there is a highly recommended book (that I will eventually buy but haven’t yet) called Taking Charge of your Fertility by [name]Toni[/name] Weschler.
You can also join the TTC 2013 thread, where you will hear about lots of women’s experiences with TTC!
Good luck!
I stopped taking the pill in [name]January[/name] in preparation for TTC in [name]April[/name]. I had three cycles before TTC. I’ve heard it’s best to have a few cycles off the pill before TTC, but I think it’s highly unlikely your baby will be negatively affected if you go off the pill and get pregnant straight away. I’m not sure about other forms of birth control.
I was actually taking the bc pill when I became pregnant with our oldest…a lovely surprise of course but he turned out healthy and fine. However, I do think that most drs will recommend preparing your body to be as healthy as it can be before ttc, taking folic acid, being a healthy weight, eating and drinking right (meaning, do not live off cheetos and beer), stopping certain prescription meds/smoking etc or what not…But even so, you do not need to do these things before getting pregnant (as a large percentage of babies are “unplanned” by people doing all those things I mentioned), but, if you are knowing you are ttc it is probably good to try to "get healthy’ in whatever way that means to you. 
@andieta [name]Do[/name] you always have to take folic acid before TTC and do you take this during pregnancy as well? I want to make sure I am fully prepared before.
@sarahmezz thank you! It is great advice since you are already off the pill.
I definitely want to be as healthy as possible. And I also am on prescription medication I want to be fully off of before having a child since it can cause birth defects. I have never heard of folic acid before, is that under the same category as prenatal vitamins or can anyone have this part of their diet?
It is nice to know the steps to take to ensure I am the healthiest which is better for the baby of course.
This is all so new, scary, and exciting all at the same time!
ALSO I am 23 and 110lbs, what dose of Folic Acid do you suggest? I was reading online and it said any woman considering pregnancy: 200μg plus a folate supplement containing 400μg
Here is a recent thread about folic acid: https://nameberry.com/nametalk/threads/124841-Folic-Acid
Folic acid is in prenatal vitamins and most multivitamins, as well as in many veggies (the thread I posted mentions which ones are good sources). If you are eating healthy, chances are you are getting enough of it. I believe the recommendations is 400 mcg for women of childbearing age but I could be wrong, and most prenatal vitamins have 1000 mcg (1 mg). You generally want to be taking folic acid before you get pregnant and through the first trimester for sure, since it is supposed to prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida. These problems can occur early enough in pregnancy that women don’t know they’re pregnant yet, so that is why it is a good idea to start taking it when you start to TTC or even earlier.
I would suggest going to the doctor for a preconception visit if you haven’t yet. They will talk to you about your prescription medication, prenatal vitamins, healthy living, etc. It is very responsible of you to want to be prepared and healthy in advance! (As jemama said, many pregnancies are unplanned and those babies turn out fine, but it is nice to do some prep work if you have the time! :))
Hormonal BC may cause a woman’s folic acid levels to drop. As far as I know, there isn’t a definitive link, but it can’t hurt to be cautious. Since you should discuss going off your meds with your doctor, bring it up prenatal vitamin at the next appointment.
@andieta thank you for linking the thread!
I appreciate the kinds words, I just want to make sure I am as healthy as I can be especially making sure the prescription medicine is out of my system since it can cause birth defects. Prep work is definitely a plus to ensure we have a healthy baby.
What brand of folic acid do you suggest?
No problem! Um, I don’t think it really matters which brand of prenatal vitamin or folic acid you take. You could try talking to your local pharmacist if you have questions.
I also recommend the book Taking Charge of your Fertility. This explains your cycle really well with tips for people TTC (or for natural birth control methods). You are only fertile for a few days each cycle and the book helps you recognize your fertility signs so you know when each month you are most likely able to conceive. It’s pretty fascinating stuff. I also recommend talking with your doctor.
Good luck!
@Scarlett - I started doing lots in preparation for TTC. First, I went off the pill in January (as I said earlier) and I stopped taking another medication at the same time (check with your doctor before going off any other medications). I started eating a more healthy and natural diet focusing on fresh organic foods and full-fat dairy products. I’ve found the website www.modernalternativepregnancy.com to be a great resource (although it’s very “earth mother” type, so I don’t take on board everything they promote, but they do have some good ideas). I’ve cut out all alcohol, caffeine and medications (like headache pills) when TTC, but let myself have a glass of wine or two end of last month when I got my period. I started taking Elevit (pre-pregnancy supplement) back in January. I’m in Australia; I don’t know if you have the same supplements wherever you are. I think it’s important to take a supplement at least a month before you start TTC (especially folic acid), but even earlier if possible, and then throughout your pregnancy. I looked for organic supplements, but found them impossible to come by! If you’re in America, you might have more luck. I’ve heard the brand Rainbow Light is highly recommended. My husband has been taking zinc supplements as well. Of course, many women don’t prepare for pregnancy to this degree and perfectly healthy babies, but I think it’s best to be prepared and increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby! I hope this information is helpful and good luck to you!
You can start trying right away. There is usually a ‘washout period’ after stopping hormonal birth control when you’re infertile, or subfertile, but there is no contraindication to trying to get pregnant immediately.
Depending on what your prescription medication is, however-- you mentioned it’s well-known to cause birth defects-- I would not stop taking birth control until you have a plan in place with whomever is prescribing your medication to transition you to something else. [name]Do[/name] not try to get pregnant while taking something that is a known teratogen (causes birth defects).
Buy a standard, cheap, generic prenatal vitamin. [name]Do[/name] not spend a lot of money or anxiety on it. Pregnant women need extra iron, folic acid and calcium-- that’s it. The PNV packages this all into one. The standard pregnant woman who is at no increased risk for neural tube defects (spina bifida, mainly) needs only 400ug/day; if you are at an increased risk-- again, this depends on your prescription medication-- needs 4mg/day, or 10x as much.
[name]Ah[/name], I was hoping [name]Blade[/name] would weigh in. I have no clue (I’ve been off birth control for 7 years - had to go off for surgery never bothered to go back on and use alternatives instead. I’d probably buy condoms and use those until you are off of your prescription meds. I like Durex best (Trojans smell funny to me) and if you get them at Wallmart you can get them cheaper (per unit) than at most grocery stores. Inconvenient yes, but think of it as an act of love for your future family esp since you are on a (what’s the word blade used) teratogen. (Also this will allow you to go through multiple cycles and chart yourself - if you are so inclined - without hormone meds.
I remember reading something about how it could take as long as 2 years after going off birth control for you to become pregnant since it takes awhile for your body to go back to normal. I believe you can start trying as soon as you want, but it might take awhile before you actually become pregnant. I’m also sure that it varies depending on what birth control you are using, to get the best answers, I recommend calling your doctor and asking him or her.
Thank you ladies so much for these responses it is helping out alot! I have also happy nameberry is not being difficult anymore. Did any of you other berries have trouble getting on here once they made the change??
@sarahmezz, I think it is perfectly fine to prepare before hand. I actually have found folic acid which is an organic all natural brand. I definitley will consult my doctor before. I want to make sure I am fully off of those and it is out of my system since the meds I am on can cause serious birth defects. I appreciate the information and the website. I will take any information I can get since I am trying for the first time.
@[name]Blade[/name]- [name]Do[/name] you suggest I wait to get off my prescribe medication before even taking Folic Acid or it does not matter? I am on Lexapro and my own doctor has even told me that I would need to be weened off of it before trying to get pregnant. The folic acid which I heard was great brand is Standard Process, have you heard of that brand? Or do you suggest another brand?
I have tried using them before but I am allergic to latex or something. [name]Every[/name] time my boyfriend and I have used condoms I would get a UTI and end up in the hospital. I have no idea why that happens. I would use the bathroom before and after and still would get one. I was using Durex but that one did not work either, so the whole process became fearful that is why I went on BC but now since I am off of it and on prescription meds I am not even engaging in sex because I refuse to chance subjecting my child to something that could effect their development.