Marriage is a significant life milestone that frequently ushers in a new chapter for the pair. While some couples might be keen to have a family straight immediately, others might choose to defer that decision for a little while. In the latter case, you might be wondering how to enjoy your first year of marriage without giving birth to a child. Let’s consider some available options together on how you can achieve this.
Talk to Your Partner About It
Communicating your needs and expectations with your partner is one of the most crucial things you can do to avoid having children during your first year of marriage. Make sure to talk about how you will avoid becoming pregnant if you both decide that you want to spend your first year of marriage enjoying each other’s company without becoming parents. Make sure you and your partner agree by being open and sincere with each other about your thoughts and feelings.
Have a Solid plan with your Partner
It’s not okay to talk about it when you don’t have a solid plan. Planning is a key step in this. You can go ahead and outline some ways you think it’s best to achieve staying without “accidentally” having a child in your first year since you’ve both agreed to the idea. There might be health issues to consider. Discuss them thoroughly with your partner. You can also talk over the options available for both of you to take. Doing this will help smooth things out making the journey more worthwhile.
Understand how pregnancy works
There have been couples who wanted to stay and enjoy the company of each other before deciding to have a baby. But their plans were cut short because they do not understand how pregnancy works.
Ovulation, sperm count, and general reproductive health are some of the variables that should be well understood.
An egg is fertilized by a sperm, the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus, and the fertilized egg grows and develops into a fetus during the intricate and amazing process of pregnancy.
It’s necessary to know these factors that may influence your chances of becoming pregnant if you and your partner are serious about not having a baby in your first year. Take out time to study it well and see how it works.
As a Woman, You must Understand Your Ovulation and Menstrual Cycle
Your menstrual cycle revolves around the capability of your uterus to foster a child. It’s the monthly hormonal cycle that prepares your body for pregnancy, and ovulation is the process of releasing an egg from your ovary. Understanding when you ovulate will enable you to avoid having intercourse during your fertile period when you have the highest chance of becoming pregnant.
Generally, there’s an average 28 days menstrual cycle but do not beat yourself to it if yours is not like that. It’s quite normal as well. All you need to do is understand yours by tracking it. You can use a menstrual cycle calendar, ovulation test strips, or fertility tracking apps to do that. They can help you identify your length of days, when you’re most fertile, and when to avoid having sex.
Choose a Contraceptive Method
Here’s another active strategy you can go for; contraception. Contraception which is also known as birth control helps to stop pregnancy. This could be with the use of condoms or medical options by both males and females.
1. Male & Female Condoms
Condoms are a type of barrier contraception that can be used by both men and women to prevent pregnancy. They are easy to use, affordable, and widely available. It is important to check the expiry date and storage instructions before use. This is to prevent cases of a leak whatsoever.
2. Medical Contraceptives
There are other active ways and contraceptive methods in the medical field you can opt for; drugs or devices.
3. The Birth Control Pill
The birth control pill is one of the hormonal contraceptives that are most frequently used. The synthetic hormones in this tiny pill, which is taken every day, suppress ovulation. When you take it properly, the tablet will be 99% effective, but for optimum results, it must be taken at the same time each day.
4. The Birth Control Patch
The birth control patch, which is applied to the skin and injects hormones into your body, is an additional choice. If properly applied, the patch can be very effective. All you do is change it every week for three weeks with a week off.
You could as well go for injectable contraceptives, or intrauterine devices (IUDs).
When opting for any, make sure to find out what’s most suitable for you and your body.
Stock up on after-sex pills
This could be the easiest way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex in your first year. The after-sex pills or plan B can reduce your chances of pregnancy by up to 87%. They are easy to use and quite affordable. Some common ones are ellaOne, and Levonelle. However, these pills have slight side effects such as changes in your menstrual cycle.
Assume that Every Unprotected Sex Leads to Pregnancy
When attempting to prevent pregnancy, it can be beneficial to embrace the belief that every unprotected sex results in pregnancy. There is always a potential for failure or user mistakes, even if you and your partner are using contraception or other techniques to avoid pregnancy.
You could be more driven to take extra precautions and be more cautious about your sexual activity if you assume that every unprotected sex could lead to pregnancy. This may entail utilizing extra methods of contraception or using greater caution when choosing the right time and amount of sex.
Every person’s fertility and capacity for conception are distinct, so it’s vital to keep in mind that there is no assurance that every unprotected sexual encounter will end in pregnancy. Yet, being cautious can help lower the possibility of unwanted pregnancy and provide you peace of mind as you work to put off having a child.
Final Words
In conclusion, to prevent unintended pregnancies, couples must establish a strong strategy, select the contraceptive technique that works best for them, accept accountability for their behavior, and cooperate.
Keep in mind that it takes two individuals to become pregnant, consequently, both spouses should share responsibility for avoiding conception.
We hope that we’ve helped you with some tips on how to avoid pregnancy after marriage.