Delayed Period After Birth Control: What to Expect & When to Worry

Question
Hello,
    I was taking birth control pills for a year and a half.  My husband and myself have recently decided to start trying to concieve.  I stopped the pills the last week of November.  As of today (12-29-05) I am a week late starting my period.  I have taking 3 different pregnancy tests (hoping that the one before was wrong) and they all were negative.  I was wondering if birth control has that effect on you when you stop taking it.  I have only ever been late 1-2 days before.  I would love to get your advice on this.  I can't stop wondering what is going on with my body.  Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and hopefully respond.

Thank you
Melanie and Casey B.

Answer
Young women think that taking the pill is like flipping a light switch.  If you want to be fertile all you have to do is stop.  It doesn't work like that.  1 1/2 years can be a long time in fertile years/months.  Your age, your health, your fertility can all be effected by time!  

There is a possibility that you were never fertile, that you were fertile and now are not.  More than likely, your body is adjusting to normal / natural hormones again and it will take time for your healthy body to begin to work in harmony and balance the way it is supposed to.

In the meantime, do all the right things:  eat right, exercise, get enough sleep, prepare for being a mother.  Don't even consider taking the pill again, especially if you do get pregnant because it is not good for you and your health as a mother is important.