Basic tips to start me off

[winkle2]

Husband and I are seriously going to start TTC this year. We've been kinda trying but not really but we're going for it in 2012!

Can you let me know anything we should be going? We're already giving up drinking and smoking this month - should we be eating/drinking anything in particular or taking any supplements, etc?

All tips would be gratefully received!!

[azazello]

you could try taking folic acid - won't do any harm. The main thing though is to have lots and lots of sex around when you ovulate (about 14 days after your period starts).

Don't panic if it takes a while, it is perfectly normal to take 6 months to a year.

[bishboschone]

Get some ovulation tests from eBay or amazon and have sex 3 days either side every day . I am lucky and have got pregnant literally straight away . I used ovulation sticks, laid with a pillow under my bum for 5 minutes after sex and bang! My long time trying friend swears that the only thing that got her pregnant was her husband shaking her legs after sex . Worry a try

[bishboschone]

Oh yeah take folic acid even while you are trying . I took a multi vitamin especially for pregnancy .

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

Know your body's ovulation signs and understand your cycle. When you think you are ovulating, have sex at least once every day, and carry on for a day or two after you think you ave stopped ovulating.

Good luck :-)

[winkle2]

If I do the ovulation test things, when do I need to start using them? I got my period today so I guess I'm on CD1?

[bishboschone]

I don't think it matters , you just wee on them and you get a line if you are ovulating . I got a box of 50 from eBay . Don't get ones from boots they are really expensive .

[winkle2]

I was thinking of getting the clear blue fertility monitor - Jesus H Christ, HOW EXPENSIVE?!

[winkle2]

To add: thank you for the tips so far!!

[winkle2]

Bish - what brand are they so I know what to search for?

[KPT083]

Hi Winkle, look for the Clear Blue monitor on ebay. I got one (used once) for £35.
We'll be using it next cycle and doing the shaking leg bit too!

Good luck and baby dust to all.

[oflip]

Considered an expert on all things conception after ttc on and off for about 10 years, heres what you do:

Forget those ovulation sticks, forget charts and temperature readings...thats the road to obsession.
Just take folic acid every day,
eat healthy diet,
drink alcohol in moderation if you fancy a tipple,
stop smoking
sex every other day
dont obsess, dont get worried until you have been ttc for 12 months or more
oh whatever you do, dont put anything off, "just in case", it can drive you demented and can become very tedious.

Good luck, fingers crossed for you.

[winkle2]

Thanks oflip for the tips.

Only thing about DTD every other day is that sometimes we don't get the chance! I'm 33 in a few days and want to get preg NOW!!

[winkle2]

Thanks for the tips nappymaestro! A few on there that I didn't know.

[bishboschone]

They are all generic ones . If you type in ovulation tests loads come up . All very cheap . I agree don't make a big desl of it but to know when you are ovulating is helpful .

[Haribolicious]

Good tips here but also RELAX! Enjoy the practice sex! Be positive too! I have many friends who say they conceived when they forgot about making a baby iyswim!

[fanjodisfunction]

I agree with getting the ov tests, though I think it depends on how your dh takes to performing all the time. In my expereince and reading on here, there are two types of men, the ones who enjoy the sex and dont want to know when you are ovulating and the ones who think its turned into a performance and would rather know when you are ovulating so they know when to have sex. My dh falls into the second category. we have a healthy sex life but as soon as we started ttc, my DH went off it. And this made me stressed beacuse I was the one who was trying to get him to have sex and he wasnt having it. Some men love to chase. So we bought ov tests and I tell him now that it will be coming up soon around CD14 and then I tell him when Im ovulating. It works for us, we fell pregnant first month of trying ov tests after 18 months of trying without them.

Diffinitly take multi vits, the pre pregnancy ones are good for you and make DH take zinc and vitamin c they help restore his sperm resources. No hot baths for him especially and loose fitting undies. But most of all try not to get stressed, I know its hard because once you decide you want to be pregnant you want it straight away, but its a very stressful time. Be prepared for lots of waiting and peeing on sticks alot.

[winkle2]

Thanks fanjo. My husband wants to know when the best time to dtd is to maximise our chances. We have been together for 9 years so we've had plenty of fun, spontaneous sex!

PMSL @ my hubby. I told him about the supplements saying I had to take my folic acid and he said do I have to take bollock acid!!