Pre TTC, any advice?

[Buddhagirl]

I've joined mumsnet very early on my journey to being a mum! But I'm just too excited not to join some sort of internet forum about my new venture in life ;) My fiancee and I decided a few weeks ago to start TTC in 6 months. We feel we are finally at the stage of life were we can give our child a good, solid start in life. We are both 26 with average jobs. We don't own our own home, but who does these days .

So my question is, is there anything I/we should be doing before we start TTC? I've heard its good to take folic acid? We don't smoke, or drink much, which is good. But we really need to start saving more money

[eurochick]

Folic acid 3 months before trying and a healthy lifestyle is about it! Enjoy. :)

[AmandaCooper]

Go to the dentist for a full check up and clean & polish; and make sure your smear is up to date.

[kat2504]

make sure your sex life is geared up so that ttc three times a week does not seem like a chore. If you get into the habit anyway it will be so much more fun for you.

Keep a record of you menstrual cycle once you are off any hormonal contraception. It's handy to know how long your cycle usually is and when your period is due. I downloaded a couple of phone apps - I told the phone when my period started and it hazarded a guess at the fertile days that month. The month I conceived it was spot on!

When you are ready to start, try not to stress and become obsessed about it in the beginning. It can become all-consuming sometimes and then it is devastating when your period arrives after all. Accept that you may get lucky in the first month or two, but that it will probably take about 6 months or so.

[AnyoneButLulu]

Go on holiday somewhere you need jabs. Go skiing. Eat lots of rare steak/Brie/pate/Mr Whippy ice cream. Stay out late. Go to parties at the far end of the country. Do anything else that you won't be able to do once you're pg.

Oh you meant medical advice?

[AmandaCooper]

Not Mr Whippy icecream?!!

[kat2504]

It is apparently on the banned list for pregnant women. Food hygiene or something like that.

[AmandaCooper]

Blimey!

[Grumpystiltskin]

Definitely get your teeth sorted. It's so hard if pregnant or breastfeeding ladies have problems and pain etc and dental disease is linked to low birth weight as well. In anycase, it's important to look after yourself as you will be providing support for a child for 20years + and you can't do that very well with toothache etc.

[happyforthemostpart]

AnyonebutLulu - Nice advice! where were you when i was thinking about having a first baby!!

don't suppose it's acceptable with a toddler in tow to do your list??!

[AnyoneButLulu]

Well I think you can eat Mr Whippy with a toddler - in fact it helps. Wild parties and exotic holidays, not so much.

[stripeywoollenhat]

sleep late every single time you can. after you have a child, you will never be allowed to again.

[dontcarehow]

Go to the docs and ask for a thyroid function test. It causes a lot of problems without you even realising so make sure its wroking properly

[Buddhagirl]

Ooo skiing! Fantastic advice everyone :D

I'm not really understanding the teeth thing...so if i need to have a filling for example I wont be able to have a local to numb the pain if pregnant? I was planning on seeing a hygenist anyway so il make sure I actually get around to it.

Thyriod test...even if I'm not overweight? Can you just ask for that for free?

Kat- "When you are ready to start, try not to stress and become obsessed about it in the beginning. It can become all-consuming sometimes and then it is devastating when your period arrives after all. Accept that you may get lucky in the first month or two, but that it will probably take about 6 months or so."

Excellent advice. We recently had a pregnancy 'scare' and although I was pleased it was negative, a little part of me felt a bit empty and period pain felt like a kick in the teeth.