How long should we have a healthier lifestyle before TTC?

[Tootsweets23]

My husband and I are keen to start TTC, however both of us are a bit too keen on wine, and I'm worried getting pregnant now would be bad for me or the child.

We are the types to only have one or sometimes two booze-free nights a week, rest of the time we share a bottle of wine with dinner and then maybe a little more on a Friday or Saturday night. I think I definitely drink more than my recommended units each week!

Aside from this, we have a very healthy lifestyle - eat very well, don't smoke (well, husband might have a cheeky fag once a month or so, but I don't smoke at all). We both exercise a fair amount, although I have a BMI of 27.

We are planning on cutting down completely to try for a baby. But how long should we wait before we start ttc?

Any advice greatly received!

[ilovetochat]

before we started ttc i came off the pill for 6 months to get all hormones out of my system and then we started ttc i barely drank and ate healthily as you dont know when you are prenant straight away and i didnt want to say "oh im 6 weeks pregnant and drank a bottle of wine last week" etc.

[indigotall]

Good question. I started off in the first few months not drinking at, but then the days my period would turn up I'd drink. The government advice is all over the place, and stress and worry aren?t going to help you conceive. who knows. I?ve cut down loads, but I?m not teetotal.

[must1be1mad]

We have much the same habits as you, and to be honest I haven't changed them much. I am being careful to be a bit more moderate about things in the latter part of my cycle. I should probably give up entirely, but that is not really in my nature... until I have absolute proof, and then sure, bye-bye booze.

I think the main thing, as indigotall says, is not to worry about it too much.

good luck!

[ReneRusso]

I have cut down drastically, and only drink very occasionally except when my period comes, when I allow myself as much wine as I can handle.... which isn't that much any more as my tolerance has plummeted. Its Very Boring.