Planning a pregnancy

If you use condoms for contraception — and you want to become hapū — all you need to do is stop using condoms when you have sex. 
 
It’s a good idea for you — and the people you have sex with — to get STI tests before you try to become hapū.  

If you use the combined oral contraceptive pill, or the progestogen-only pill, you can become hapū as soon as you stop taking your pill.

It’s a good idea to use condoms for a month after you stop taking the pill. This will give you time to learn your menstrual cycle and your period, without the effects of the pill. 

Knowing your menstrual cycle will help you have sex at the best times for becoming hapū — when you are most fertile.  

Long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs) will have no effect on your fertility after they have been removed. Once they are out, you can become hapū.

LARCs include: 

• Hormonal IUD 
• Copper IUD 
• The contraceptive implant 

You can get your IUD or implant removed at our clinics. A medical professional needs to remove a LARC — don’t try to take these out at home.  

It’s a good idea to stop getting your Depo Provera injection well before you plan to become hapū. Between coming off Depo Provera and the time you plan to become hapū, use a shorter-acting type of contraception — like condoms or the pill. This is the best idea if you plan to become hapū soon. 

Everyone is different — it’s hard to predict exactly when your fertility will return, after you stop Depo Provera injections. For many people, periods and fertility can take around six months to 1 year to return. 

It’s true that some vasectomies can be reversed. At the same time, many vasectomies can’t be reversed. If you are getting a vasectomy, it’s a good idea to think of it as permanent and irreversible contraception.

Reversal requires a specialist, can be expensive, and is often unsuccessful. The more time that has passed since the vasectomy was performed, the more difficult a reversal will be. 

When you’re trying to become hapū: 

• Avoid alcohol and drugs 
• Stop smoking or vaping. Smoking can be really harmful to an unborn pēpi, and it's best to quit before planning a pregnancy 
• Review your diet. If you eat a good variety of foods you shouldn’t need to take supplements during pregnancy, apart from folic acid and iodine 
• If you take prescribed medication, it’s a good idea to review this with your healthcare provider and make sure it is safe to take during pregnancy 
• Start taking folic acid tablets before you conceive — become hapū. Folic acid helps to prevent your baby from developing neural tube defects like spina bifida. You should aim to start taking folic acid at least one month before you conceive. You can buy folic acid tablets from a supermarket or pharmacy, or get it on prescription from your healthcare provider.
• Research a lead maternity carer (LMC). This is the person — often a midwife — who will look after you during pregnancy, and 4-6 weeks after pēpi is born  

Make an appointment with us — we can help you with planning a pregnancy.

We are sexual wellness experts. Our nurses or doctors can help you stop, or remove, your contraception. We can also give you advice on becoming hapū, and having a healthy pregnancy.

Anyone can visit our clinics. If you want to talk with us, we want to talk to you. 

Make an appointment