Stopping contraception is pretty straightforward and means the beginning of exciting times!
Here’s our quick guide to having the coil removed so you can begin that lovely job of trying for a baby.
At a glance
- Coils can be removed at any point during your cycle
- Do not try to remove the coil yourself
- Coils don't impact your future ability to conceive
Getting your body ready
Remember to start on the folic acid, and think about getting your body in tip-top condition to conceive, and begin that incredible job of growing a baby.
What happens when the coil is taken out?
It can be taken out at any point during your cycle, and needs to be done by a nurse or doctor who’s trained in doing this. Because you can reach the strings of the coil, you might be tempted to pull the strings out yourself, but it’s important you leave this to a trained professional.
It’s much easier to remove than insert the coil so if you found having it inserted quite uncomfortable, don’t worry about having it taken out – it will be far easier this time. Removing it yourself could cause damage.
When will I be able to get pregnant?
You can start straight away – your fertility returns to normal almost at once.
The ‘ordinary’ coil (the IUD) doesn’t release any hormones into your system so when it’s removed, your body carries on with its cycle as normal. All the recent major research shows that today’s coils don’t have any effect on your future ability to conceive.
You’ll be fertile pretty quickly, but most doctors recommend you have at least one proper period before you start trying for a baby. This is mainly because it allows them to calculate an accurate due date. To do this, use barrier methods from a week before removal. Don’t worry if you get pregnant straight away, it’s just great news!
Getting pregnant with the coil in place
An important thing to remember with both coils, is you need to see a doctor quickly if you think you’re pregnant while they’re still in place. While this doesn’t happen very often, you should seek advice for two reasons:
- Ectopic pregnancy - the coil prevents pregnancy in the uterus, not the fallopian tubes. This type of ectopic pregnancy can cause damage, so best get advice straight away
- Miscarriage – having a coil in place can increase the risk of miscarriage. Taking it out carries a small miscarriage risk too, but overall it’s best to have it removed
It’s very uncommon for women to develop ectopic pregnancies. But if you have any concerns it’s important you get checked out straight away, as it could be harmful and affect your future ability to conceive.