Would be very grateful to know your TTC advice :-)

[MarilynValentine]

Hi,

Am TTC #2 and whereas first time round I felt ambivalent about the process (relief as well as disappointment in the 5 months of bfns prior to pregnancy) this time I feel incredibly impatient and excited - and worried.

Now I know how much I want it I'm scared it won't happen and then of course I worry that my negative mind state will inhibit conception....!

So I would love it if any of you would give me some TTC tips. No such thing as TMI - I want to know about anything that might help make a bfp more likely!

NB Have just stopped breast feeding my 15 mo DS last week; periods returned about 7 months ago. Don't know if that may have an influence, too?

Am currently waiting for AF after the first month of TTC. Two bfns so I'm not hoping any more this month.

Any advice hugely appreciated

[RightUpMyRue]

Chart your temperature, use Fertility Friend to keep track. Have a shit load of sex.

We TTC for a year before we got a BFP, sadly that one ended in an MC. It took another 6 months to get this one (currently 25+ weeks ). I temped for 3 months before this BFP. I wish wish wish I'd started temping way before then. When we're ready for another I will temp from the start, no questions.

Good luck

[MarilynValentine]

Thanks rightupmyrue - is temping a lot of hassle? Obviously worth it but just wondering?

Congrats on your pregnancy

[TTCChristmasStyle]

Hi matilyn
I'm in a similar position-conceived DD straight away but really worried it won't be so easy this time. No reason for concern but just think I won't be so lucky twice.
I'm just about to start TTC-hoping that I'm fertile in next day or so.

[MarilynValentine]

Ah good luck TTC!

We need to be positive and relaxed....DH says focus on the long view, the whole process, see what happens - rather than obsessive POASing every month and crushing, crashing disappointment if it doesn't happen instantly.

He's so right but it's easier said than done!

So in terms of what to do and not to do....missionary position and doggy style are best, right?

Don't use conventional lube.

Pillow under bum after sex and lay there for 20 mins.

Anyone agree/disagree? Any other suggestions?

Am taking pregnacare vits too...

Should I cut down on caffeine and alcohol? Not a heavy user of either but I do have 2 - 3 cups of tea a day and wine every 2/3 nights I'd say.

[Hermionewastherealhero]

We had 2 weeks off together over my ovulation and had sex loads- baby is 15 weeks (yes it was last Christmas!)

[Fishandjam]

Bang like a barn door in a hurricane. Every 3 days. Do not rely on the piss computer, mucus on fingers test, temperature charting - useful additionals, but not reliable enough IMO.

Also, no NSAID painkillers (ibuprofen, diclofenac etc). Can cause anovulatory cycles.

Multivitamins for both you and DH.

Legs in air afterwards, etc.

And try not to stress it - easier said than done, I know! Good luck

[Fishandjam]

Oh yes - no hot baths for your DH.

[RightUpMyRue]

Temping seems like a lot more hassle than it actually is. All you need is a regular waking time and a thermometer. The rest is just data inputting.

I would recommend it to anyone TTC or thinking about TTC. Start now and get to now the fertility signs your body gives you. Aside from it helping you to conceive it's very reassuring (and interesting) to know your body does all this stuff it's supposed to.

[TTCChristmasStyle]

Yep I sign up to the missionary and pillow under bum during and after.
I'm on decaff tea, although given its Christmas I'm drinking cola and having the odd glass of wine so probably the decaff tea is pointless!

Didn't know that conventional lube was an issue. So no lube best?

I'll get obsessive about it - I can't help myself!

Any more tips?

[TwoFacedCows]

I am ttc, so after sex I do a handstand up against the bedroom wall to help it get up there!
first time i did it i was still starkers - DH looked at me like , then and . i now put pants on!

[greenlizard]

TTCChristmasStyle I understand that conventional lubricants are not sperm friendly. If TTC and want to use a lubricant you could try Pre-seed or Conceive Plus both of which are designed for purpose.

X

[OComeAllYeFaithBaby]

Temping is hard work. I started temping after we'd been TTC for a year - my cycles were irregular (ish) and my progesterone bloods weren't convincingly showing ovulation. After a few cycles of temping, it helped me realise that I was ovulating after all. However to get a clear chart I had to wake at 6am and temp every day - time variation made my charts less clear! - which sucked on days off!

I would say you need to stay relaxed. Don't try to time sex to ovulation, just do the deed at least three times a week, every week to maximise the liklihood of hitting ovulation. You'll need sperm friendly lube - your choices are pre-seed or conceive plus. Both much of a muchness. Seem expensive but lasts a long time.

Re positions - yes missonary is more likely to aide the swimmers but its not that crucial. I never went with bum under pillow. I got lots of UTIs and found it much better to get up (after a quick cuddle!) and pee to flush the bugs away. The decent swimmers are well on their way to the cervix anyway. Lying with your bum under a pillow will only keep the duffers inside - you wouldn't want them getting you pregnant anyway!

Make sure you're taking your fl

[OComeAllYeFaithBaby]

Oops!

*folic acid too. Be careful with multivitamins, if you're going to take one it should be a conception one because normal ones contain vitamin A which can be harmful to a foetus.

Good luck TTC!

[specialknickers]

Well the clearblue digital monitor was recommended to me by another mnetter and it worked first time for us, so I'm recommending it to you.

Great for lazy people (and parents of small children), because it tells you when to do the deed. You can do it every three days for your whole cycle but frankly, I couldn't be arsed with all that.

You have to wee on a stick a lot of course, but that seems to be par for the course with TTC. Whatever you do, good luck!

[MurderOfProse]

Most people I know who have nothing wrong usually conceive within six months, more like 3-4 when temping/charting. Doesn't matter how many times you shag in a month, if you don't do it in the magic window it's pointless, and it only takes one try in the magic window.

For some women, their temps remain accurate no matter what time they temp so long as they've had 3-4 hours of uninterrupted sleep. I temp whenever I wake up and have a clear chart. Not true for everyone, but just saying that temping need not be hard work if you're one of the lucky ones like me.

[MarilynValentine]

Thanks everyone, sterling advice!

Am now 1 day overdue with my period and hoping (despite the two negative tests a few days ago) that maybe maybe maybe........I might be pregnant.

DH mused and said "Hmm your boobs do look a bit bigger....."

But I stopped bf-ing on Sunday so that's probably why!

Anyway I am definitely going to look into temping and have ordered some PreSeed. Thanks all.

Booze consumption a little higher than usual though (Merry Christmas! )

Further tips and revelations and confidences awaited happily

[MarilynValentine]

Thanks ohhelp

Still no AF. Feel v pre-menstural though. Backache and mild crampy sensations in my lower abdomen for days.

All prob due to stopping breast-feeding just over a week ago.....Just wish AF would hurry along if its coming!

Merry Christmas everyone