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-   -   1st Month off Birth Control (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=174328)

  • Jan 19, 2008, 07:19 PM
    alergic__1
    1st Month off Birth Control
    So, my husband and I are now off birth control :-0)
    How many months should we wait before trying to get pregnant?
    I heard you should have at least 1 period after stopping because before trying to conceive.

    When would be a good time to start taking folic acid?
    When would be a good time to start seeing a doctor?
    Is there a type of multi-vitamin that I could start taking? Any suggesstions?

    Thanks!
  • Jan 19, 2008, 07:23 PM
    mjl
    Take folic acid NOW. Take pre-natal vitamins!
    Go see a doctor ASAP
  • Jan 19, 2008, 07:25 PM
    alergic__1
    Isn't it OK to wait until we get a positive on a pregnancy test... before we go to see a doctor?
  • Jan 19, 2008, 07:40 PM
    J_9
    Okay, let's start from the beginning.

    You need to be taking folic acid now, actually you should have been taking it for quite a while now. All women of childbearing years should be taking folic acid so to aid in preventing neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

    Now, you can wait until you are pregnant to find a doctor, but better yet, start interviewing now so that you can find a doctor you are comfortable with.

    When was your last yearly female exam? What kind of doctor was that?
  • Jan 19, 2008, 07:49 PM
    alergic__1
    I asked the pharmacist and they said NOT to bother taking folic acid because I was on birth control... so I guess I took his advice...
    My last exam was a little over a year ago... it was a gynacologist (if I spelt that right)
  • Jan 19, 2008, 07:56 PM
    J_9
    Every woman of childbearing years should take folic acid to prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida should you become pregnant and not know it.

    These defects occur in the VERY early weeks of pregnancy and are irreversible. Birth control is not 100% effective, abstinence is the only sure way not to get pregnant. So every woman of childbearing years should be on a vitamin that contains folic acid.

    I will never have another child, I have 4, 2 of whom were conceived on the pill, yet I continue to take prenatal vitamins.

    If you are comfortable with your gynecologist, and it has been over a year since your last exam, I suggest you make an appointment for a pre-pregnancy screening just to make sure you are in the best health possible for pregnancy.
  • Jan 19, 2008, 07:59 PM
    alergic__1
    I was comfortable with him.. only we moved about 5 provinces away... and he retired :(
    There is a shortage of doctors where we are living now...
    I'll make sure to get the folic acid tomorrow!
    What about the other vitamins? Can't I just take a multi vitamin?
    I was thinkng about asking the pharmacist... only... I don't understand why he would have told me not to bother taking folic acid until I am off the pill... I don't know if he knows what he is talking about...
  • Jan 19, 2008, 08:17 PM
    J_9
    I don't know if he knows what he is talking about either. Pregnancy is possible while on birth control, and you want to prevent these defects. Pick up a prenatal vitamin, they are the best and contain everything you need.

    If your doc retired and/or you moved away, you might want to start interviewing doctors in your area so that you can find one you are comfortable with when the time comes for you to need him/her.
  • Jan 19, 2008, 08:24 PM
    alergic__1
    Yeah we thought I was pregnant in a different post... the hcg levels were too low when I had the blood test... (when I was on b/c)
    We are going to have to do something... I think I would just go to a walk-in clinic or something... and they would refer me a doctor?
    I think that's how it would work here... I'm not sure
    So I will be getting the folic acid tomorrow.. and I don't know... I guess ask the pharmacist again.. about what other pills I should be taking as well...
    Do you have any suggestions ?
  • Jan 19, 2008, 08:29 PM
    alergic__1
    About 3 years ago... I was told that I had a mild case of cervical dysplasia... the gynacologist told me that it was from smoking... and told me that I should quit or the abnormal cells could come back...
    He told me that it would possibly go away on it's own... or I could have some laser therapy... I said I wanted the laser therapy...
    Do you think that would lower my chances of having a healthy baby?
  • Jan 20, 2008, 04:55 PM
    alergic__1
    OK.. so I have the PRENATAL and post partum supplement...
    Only when I asked the pharmacist about the foilic acid... she said I didn't need them because these pills that I have now have 1mg... do you think I should go back and get the folic acid??
    These pills are huge... It doesn't say if I chew or swallow... I am assuming I am suppose to swallow?
  • Jan 20, 2008, 05:05 PM
    mjl
    You don't need a separate folic acid vitamin, and multi vitamin. Get "prenatal" vitamin. It contains both in one.
  • Jan 20, 2008, 05:11 PM
    alergic__1
    OK that's what I have then... I'm hoping I should be good to go haha
    Do you know about chewing or swallowing them?
  • Jan 20, 2008, 05:59 PM
    J_9
    You swallow them hun. And 4mg of folic acid is what should be taken daily.

    I don't know your pharmacist, and I usually trust them, but from what you have been saying, I would find a new pharmacy.
  • Jan 20, 2008, 06:03 PM
    alergic__1
    OK so 1mg is in the pills I have... I'll get out there and get jut the folic acid then... and keep you posted haha I'm sure when everything happens.. I'll be back anyway haha
  • Jan 21, 2008, 07:24 PM
    alergic__1
    So.. I've been reading about these prenatal pills... sounds a little scary...
    It says not to take any other vitamins etc with them...
    I'm almost wondering if I should see a doctor to talk about these things... do you really think it's OK to take folic acid along with these pills?
  • Jan 22, 2008, 10:00 AM
    LearningAsIGo
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by J_9
    You swallow them hun. And 4mg of folic acid is what should be taken daily.

    I don't know your pharmacist, and I usually trust them, but from what you have been saying, I would find a new pharmacy.

    I have to agree here.. your Pharmacist does NOT sound trustworthy. Talk to your doctor, hun. :)

    Quote:

    so.. I've been reading about these prenatal pills... sounds a little scary...
    It says not to take any other vitamins etc with them...
    I'm almost wondering if I should see a doctor to talk about these things... do you really think it's OK to take folic acid along with these pills?
    Prenatals are not scary, they are very good for your body. Do they contain folic acid? Every brand I've seen contains enough folic that additional is not necessary. (I'm on a generic brand myself)
    Vitamins can be toxic if taken in large amounts, so that could be why your prenatals states that. I think you'd be wise to book an appointment with an OB/GYN to discuss your fears. When you go, take every bottle of meds/vitamins you have so he/she can see the exact dosage of each bottle.
  • Jan 22, 2008, 04:30 PM
    alergic__1
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by LearningAsIGo
    Do they contain folic acid? .

    It says on the bottle that they contain 1mg... only I have been told by others and you guys on here that I should be having 4mg... there is no way I eat enough folic acid in my daily diet haha

    Yeah... first I need to FIND a doctor... I've been going to walk-in clinics for now... there is a shortage of doctors where I am now... I used to have a family doc and a gyn. Back home... he retired and we moved about 5 provinces away from home too lol... so that makes things hard also...

    It also states... "do not take with milk or calcium" or whatever... so I'm assuming I can still drink milk haha but can't swallow them with milk?
  • Jan 26, 2008, 07:48 PM
    alergic__1
    So... I've been having "weird" cramps this week... got the flu this week and also have a head cold... great!
    Don't understand why I would be having these cramps... and IF I WERE pregnant... it would probably be around 1 week pregnant... that's it... so I shouldn't be having symptoms like these...
    I don't think the cold or flu has anything to do with it... I just don't understand these cramps!
  • Jan 26, 2008, 07:57 PM
    alergic__1
    I probably should have mentioned my last period ON the pill... (have not yet had one being off the pill)
    My last period was January 14 - 18... so my last pill would have been a few days BEFORE the 14th...
  • Feb 5, 2008, 07:51 PM
    alergic__1
    So... I was wondering if anyone had an idea of when I would be starting my first period OFF because... my last period was Jan.14th-18th... This week I have been having very very sore nipples and also... the past 2 weeks I've been having cramps! This past Friday... I had some light spotting... as in... hardly anything at all there... not enough to go onto my panties or anything... just enough to see a little bit when I wiped... it was sort of a brownish pink colour... and it only happened that night... no more
  • Feb 5, 2008, 08:03 PM
    alkalineangel
    Your period couyld be off kilter for a month or two after going off the pills. While your body adjusts to lack of hormones.
  • Feb 5, 2008, 08:21 PM
    J_9
    The average length of time that a period or ovulation is off after discontinuing the pill is about 5 months. Note that I said average. Every woman is different.

    I have to admit that I have not read any updates. School has been grueling so far.

    Did you get your answers about the folic acid?
  • Feb 5, 2008, 08:24 PM
    alergic__1
    So the sore nipples and cramps for 2 weeks, and spotting is normal?

    OK about the folic acid... I am still just taking the prenatal pills (which have 1mg of folic acid and a bunch of other stuff) I have FINALLY found a family doctor out here!! And guess what? / he specializes in babies and deliveries etc... isnt that great!?
    I meet with him on the 19th... because I need a pap and I will tlak to him about the pills I should be taking as well...
  • Feb 8, 2008, 06:50 PM
    alergic__1
    OK... so... I already stated that my last period was January 14th - January 18th... now on my last post.. I had written that I spotted... NOW... today... which is February 8th... I spotted AGAIN... so I actually thought I had started my period this morning... it was about the same as what it would look like when I normally start.. maybe a bit of difference in colour... anyways... I have not spotted at all the rest of today...
    I don't really know what's up ?
    Any ideas?
  • Feb 8, 2008, 06:54 PM
    J_9
    Could be your period gearing up. Remind me, if you will, how long you have been off birht control now.
  • Feb 8, 2008, 07:01 PM
    alergic__1
    OK so my last period was January 14th... I never take the sugar pills... so my actual birth control pill with hormones would have been the 11th of January I BELIEVE...
    So not quite a month yet... I just don't understand why I am spotting like this!
  • Feb 8, 2008, 07:10 PM
    J_9
    Duh, I knew that, it was in the title of your post. See how studying makes my brain mush. LOL

    Now, it could take several months for your period to regulate since you just quit your pills. You may get some spotting for days before you get a period, if you get a period.

    You see, while you were on the pill, your body quit making it's own necessary hormones. Now that you are off, it will take some time for your body to being making those hormones again, and it may take some time for them to build up enough to get a full period.
  • Feb 8, 2008, 07:11 PM
    alergic__1
    Do you think there a possibility of pregnancy
  • Feb 8, 2008, 07:17 PM
    J_9
    I would love to tell you that there is a possibility. But, in all honesty, I can't.

    There is no way to tell for sure at this point in time.
  • Feb 8, 2008, 07:18 PM
    alergic__1
    Well I'll keep you posted anyway... and probably write about what the doc tells me when I go in... Thanks for responding!!
  • Feb 8, 2008, 07:20 PM
    J_9
    Girl... Keep me posted.

    Just remember, my nursing school schedule is HECTIC right now, so I may not be able to respond immediately. Fridays are my only slow day of the week at the moment.
  • Feb 9, 2008, 06:19 PM
    alergic__1
    So do you think my chances of being pregnant are slim because of the cramps and spotting?
  • Feb 9, 2008, 07:10 PM
    J_9
    As I said, I really can't say. Again, I would love to tell you one way or the other, but that is actually impossible.

    You may get some here who will tell you they think you are, or they think you aren't, but that is coming from their own personal experience.

    While I do have experience (I have 4 children), I am also speaking from education and a job on a labor and delivery floor.

    There is just no way to tell until you can take that test whether it be a urine or blood test. And then even, not 100% until baby is seen on ultrasound.

    So, you are just in the waiting zone I am afraid.
  • Feb 9, 2008, 07:16 PM
    alergic__1
    OK I threw somes dates in some ovulation calendar here... because it also shows when your period is... says that I should be starting on the 11th of this month... which makes sense seeing as my last normal period was on the 14th of January...
    Anyway... so I think I may buy a pregnancy test... maybe one with 2... I don't know yet... (first choice) and take one either tonight or tomorrow... and then if my period doesn't come by Monday... take one again that day...
    I don't know what I am going to do yet... it's probably just my hormones all messed up from lack of pills haha
  • Feb 9, 2008, 08:25 PM
    J_9
    Don't take one tonight. They are more accurate if taken in the morning. Also, if you are supposed to start on the 11th, you would be better off waiting until you miss than taking it before you miss.
  • Feb 10, 2008, 10:37 AM
    alergic__1
    OK I'm waiting until the 11th to test then... either that morning or the morning of the 12th... (because I could start later on Monday)
  • Feb 10, 2008, 01:50 PM
    alergic__1
    Just wanted to add that I spotted again today... (feb.10)
  • Feb 10, 2008, 03:03 PM
    poppyabonnar
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by alergic__1
    So, my husband and I are now off birth control :-0)
    How many months should we wait before trying to get pregnant?
    I heard you should have atleast 1 period after stopping b/c before trying to conceive.

    When would be a good time to start taking folic acid?
    When would be a good time to start seeing a doctor?
    Is there a type of multi-vitamin that I could start taking? Any suggesstions?

    Thanks!

    try now!! I got pregnant on the pill so I say do it and don't stop hehe x x x good luck x
  • Feb 11, 2008, 06:01 PM
    alergic__1
    I just wanted to add that I started my period today... and OMG are the cramps EVER horrible! Never have I ever... which is really weird... about 7 or 8 years ago before I ever was on because... I never had cramps... only back pain... then I went on the pill... always cramps but not back pain...
    Now for the 1st month being off... the cramps are horrible and I also have back pain... that I can tolerate haha but the cramps are horrible! Lol

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