QuestionI had the mirena removed on December 19 and started my period on December 21-23, 2006. I ovulated around the 6th of January. We had sexon the 2nd and 4th. What are my chances of becoming pregnant and how long will it take after iud removal. We want our second. I am 28 years old. I hate the waiting period! Thanks!
AnswerHi Amy :)
The Mirena IUD does release hormones. Like any other hormonal controception, we always reccomend that you wait 3 cycles before trying to get pregnant. This allows your hormones to return to normal again :) However, I see you are very excited to get pregnant again, so I hope it happens fast for you!!!
Because the IUD was removed on the 19th, and you bed on the 21 till 23, this could indicate that it may not have been a period that you had. Removal of the IUD will cause an imbalance in your hormones, and this will cause bleeding episodes, that are not neccesarily your period.
Because of this, its extremely difficult to determine when you are ovulating.
Now, lets assume that the bleeding you had was a period, and that the ovulation date was the 6th of January. The fact that you had intercourse on the 2nd and 4rth, could indeed cause you to become pregnant. Sperm lives from 3-4 days, so if you ovulated on the 6th, and there was active sperm in your body, this could indeed cause you to get pregnant.
Question is, we really dont know if what you experienced was your period, or just a bleeding due to a hormonal surge. And as I said, sparadic bleeds and spotting after coming off any hormonal controception, is completely normal, and it takes time for things to get back on track.
So, for now, you have to wait and see if you get your next period. You might not get it, when you expect it. You could experience more sparadic spotting, before actually seeing your period. It depends on the individual. Some ladies go right back to regular cycles immediately, and others have irregular cycles for months afterwards.
Now, lets say that you do get your period, and you are not pregnant. Just know, that not all women ovulate, on day 14, as the general rule states. A woman, can ovulate anytime, between day 10-20 of her cycle. This even more so, for women that have just come off hormonal birth control.
So, if I were you, from day 10-20, after your period, I would have intercourse every second day. Dont worry about missing a day inbetween. We advise every second day, because it allows your husbands sperm count to double, perhaps even triple. Missing a day, will make no difference because sperm can live 3-4 days ..so there will be active sperm regardless in your body just waiting for that egg.
By being active on these days during your cycle, you can be rest assured that you ovulated at some point, which only greatly increases your chance of conception.
Some women are able to get pregnant immediatly after coming off birthcontrol. But for others, it can take months, because the hormones can have a long effect on their cycles, before regulating. Again, it depends on the individual.
Just know, that it can up to 1 year, for normal healthy couples to concieve. But for you, I hope it happens much sooner!!!
Also, keep in mind that its highly reccomended that even when trying to get pregnant, that you be taking pre-natel vitamins. Not only is is essential for your nutrition, and your future baby, but it significantly reduces defects that can form in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Food for Thought :)
I hope this has answered your question, and should you have further concern, please dont hesitate to write back :)
-Kristy
