How to Get Pregnant After Birth Control

You did it! You were responsible, and you stayed on the pill, or put in an IUD, or took the injections, or used a diaphragm or condoms. But now you want to have a baby (or another baby!), and it’s time to talk about how to get pregnant after birth control. 

Depending on the method you’d chosen, becoming pregnant after birth control can take anywhere from one month to a year. Here is what you need to know:

1. Hormonal Contraceptives

Most hormonal contraceptives are able to prevent pregnancy by stopping the “estrogen peak” that causes ovulation in women. While there can be negative effects of birth control during their use (i.e. bloating), the effects of birth control on pregnancy are minimal! A recent study has even shown the possibility that the longer a woman has been on the pill, the more likely she is to become pregnant once she chooses to go off it.

Many women have heard that they need to wait 3 or 4 months after hormonal contraceptives to become pregnant. This is a myth. While for many women, 3 to 4 months will allow them to keep track of their cycle, maybe get their cycle back to normal, you can become pregnant on your first month off of the pill. Most couples will be able to conceive within four to five months or within a year after stopping. This is especially true if they are actively trying to become pregnant.

2. Condoms, diaphragms, and sponges

The barrier methods of birth control have—statistically—not been as effective as hormonal contraceptives. In general, there are no negative effects of birth control that use any of these barriers. In fact as soon as the barrier is removed, the chances of pregnancy are exactly the same as if you’d never used a contraceptive before.

To properly plan your pregnancy, however, you may want to observe your cycle for two to three months before trying. If you have an intended date or year when to have the baby, observing your cycle the year before the planned time can help you conceive at the right month (40 weeks before you wish to give birth!)

3. Rhythm Method

You’re excellent at numbers and the rhythm method worked well for you! Now you want to know how to get pregnant. Good news! Your excellence at numbers can also play a big role in your becoming pregnant! You only have to change one thing. If you have kept careful track of your cycle, simply engaging in sexual intercourse on the days that you are fertile or ovulating (which is the opposite of what you’ve been doing) can lead to pregnancy. 

Have an irregular cycle? You can keep note of your basal body temperature or use other fertility tracking methods (ex. The saliva test) to see when is the best time to try and conceive. Like women who have been on hormonal contraceptives, your chances of pregnancy are anywhere between four to five months to a year.

Contrary to popular belief, there are no effects of birth control on pregnancy. At least if the concern is becoming pregnant. Taking birth control while pregnant is a different matter. What you might not have considered are the other factors that play a role in pregnancy. Here are three:

1. Your age

Let’s face it. The younger you are, the easier and faster it will be. Beginning at the age of 35, there is a decrease in the chances of pregnancy.

Ages 20 – 24: 96% chance of conceiving with one year of trying. 

Ages 25 – 34: 86% chance of conceiving with one year of trying.

Ages 35 – 39: 78% chance of conceiving with one year of trying.

Ages 40 – 44: 44% chance of conceiving with one year of trying.

Ages 45 and above: 3% chance of conceiving naturally.

If you fall into the older brackets, and you have been trying to conceive for six months or a year, or if your period has not come back following hormonal contraceptives, then seeing your doctor and discussing your fertility with them might be a necessary step.

2. Your health

Do you eat good nutritious food? Do you take your vitamins? Do you exercise and stay in shape? Are you a smoker? Do you avoid alcohol?

The right answers are: Yes, Yes, Yes, No, Yes. And if these are your answers then you are quite likely to be able to conceive quickly and easily. Your overall health plays a larger role in conception than any method of birth control.

3. Your stress levels

Yes, it is true! A stressful lifestyle can make it difficult to conceive. So relax! Remember how to get pregnant? The how is one of the most fun parts! Enjoy it!