12 DPO first month off BC

[StarCraze]

I am currently 12 dpo. I had intercourse the day before ovulation. This is my first month off of birth control. I basically have been having AF type cramps since about 3dpo. This is extremely unusual for me. I have had a few bouts nausea the past couple of days, but nothing crazy. Last night after taking a bath I felt extremely light headed and dizzy. I haven't taken a test basically because I am nervous to know the results. Could this mean I conceived or could this just be my body getting used to being off of the pill? All opinions would be welcomed! 

[Jaimee]

Welcome to MDC!!      Some women are fertile immediately after stopping the pill and others take upwards of a year to become fertile again.  How are you tracking ovulation?  Do you chart?  If so, can you share your chart with us using a free site like www.fertilityfriend.com? 

If you are going by the calendar, using OPK's, or tracking cervical fluid only then you cannot confirm ovulation.  If this is the case you may or may not have ovulated when you think you did and therefore may be more or less DPO than you think.  At any rate, 12 DPO is usually far enough along to get accurate results on a sensitive HPT (one that only requires an hCG level of 25).  I suggest a pink dye, non +/- test like First Response Early Response and using FMU.  Though many dollar store and generic drug store tests work just as well.  Some women end up needing to wait a day or two longer to get accurate results if implantation occurred later or if the embryo is simply producing lower levels of hCG.

Light headedness, dizziness, etc. could be pregnancy symptoms or they could be from hormone fluctuations as your body regulates off the pill, or they could be signs that AF is approaching.  Unfortunately there is really no way to know until something happens!  Please feel free to jump into any of the other TTC threads on this forum.  There are several different ones for different age groups, women at different points in the TTC journey (waiting to O, in the 2ww, etc.), and others.  Good luck and keep us posted! 

[StarCraze]

Thanks for your reply! I haven't been charting nor do I really plan on it yet. We aren't exactly trying, but are just letting nature do it's thing and seeing what ends up happening. AF still hasn't shown up yet, but could also just be my body getting used to being off of the pill. haha I have a feeling there is definitely going to be some confusing months ahead. 

[Jaimee]

Have you tried testing yet?  It's not expensive to test if you get dollar store tests!   

As for charting... I understand it's not for everyone, but if you know that you'll go crazy wondering what's going on and hate the confusion, then I highly recommend starting.  It's really not hard and there are a lot of women on here that can help decipher your chart with you.  Right now, having just gone off the pill, you don't even know IF you're ovulating.  Charting will clear that up for you!  If you'd like some help getting going, just post!