Preparing to TTC in 2023

I will be making plans as usual, there will be very little you can’t actually go through with if pregnant so just plan as usual :) We were on holiday with friends when I was 8 weeks last time and a couple guessed but it wasn’t an issue.

We're trying to just make plans as if we're not trying. No way of knowing how long it will take us and I think we can always cancel plans if needed if we do get pregnant quickly. I don't want TTC to be the only thing going on so making a lot of plans to look forward to. That way if in any given cycle we're not pregnant we've got something to look forward to and if we have to cancel it'll be for a happy reason

What's everyone's approach to making plans for the new year?

Some friends are trying to organise a weekend away for Feb half term or Easter holidays and trying to decide which works better for potential dates. Thinking less likely to be pregnant in Feb as only a few cycles in, but if we're lucky enough to conceive quickly then we'd be away for the weekend and trying to hide being 8 weeks pregnant.

Or do we just not commit to things, but also want things to look forward to if TTC hasn't gone to plan

I know it's an impossible question really because we can't predict the situation, but interested to know how you're all doing things

AF just arrived and I was excited as it meant I could input it into my Ovia app 😂

OK, thank you! 😊 xx

@Floralsandsmiles I think we're also hyper aware of everything as we get ready to TTC. Not sure I would've paid much attention to a lighter cycle before TTC.

The advise my GP gave me was to come back if it turns into a pattern, i.e three or more cycles to rule out hormonal imbalances

Thank you for letting me know I'm not alone! I really appreciate this! Xx

Same thing happened to me, last two periods have been weird and light but now it's back to normal so maybe it's just a temporary thing?

I was super confused when it happened and reached out to my GP who said that a light period is usually nothing to worry about and to see if it goes back to normal with the next one

Obviously everyone is different but thought this might help

I'm abit confused as I'm always regular to the day (for AF) and I am heavy on the first 2 days and then the last 2-3 they are fairly light.
This time however I was 3 days late and have been super light for the last 3 days. I've had cramping but I am waiting for this heavy day to start and nothing? I am super stressed at the moment as just finished working my notice and was a stressful handover.. but still. So Confused!
Is it normal to just have a light period now and then?? As in my 35 years, this isn't normal for me? Xx

I don’t know anything about PCOS I’m afraid beth :( Hope you feel better from the COVID soon!

No idea I’m afraid happy

im sorry AF turned up first but fingers crossed for the New Year!

Welcome JRabbit

So after all the back and forth with regards the method we are going for I am going to do an AMH test. If AMH is normal we will do reversal, if low we will do sperm extraction and ICSI. Can get the AMH test through the post from Superdrug so a, going to wait until after Christmas as don’t want it getting lost in the post! Plan is to start reversal/ICSI in March.

@JRabbitx ahh!!! Got everything crossed for you!!

@Firsttimetrying2022 oh I’m sorry - but yes, 1st Jan sounds a good time for a fresh start with it all 🤗

@happyfeet5 hmmm I thought you were meant to be extra fertile while immediately come off the pill? But I could have made that up!

Of course AF showed up this morning - as sad as I am that this month didn't work out I'm glad there shouldn't be a reason to worry assuming it settles into a regular pattern again.

So ready to get on with next month. Natural Cycles app currently predicts ovulation to be 1st of January which feels like quite a nice start to the new year

Coming off the pill in the next week.
Is there a reason (medically) that they advise you to wait until you’ve had a first natural period for? Is the lining of your uterus thinner, or something? I read somewhere it was just to be sure of the dating but then apparently this doesn’t matter too much as all will be confirmed at first scan.

@Firsttimetrying2022 fingers crossed for you!!

@JRabbitx hello! Best of luck

Just spoke to GP who said there is still a chance I might be pregnant and to test again in a week 😩 not sure I can take another week of not knowing ... if still no period or BFP then they'll get me in for some blood tests

I just want AF to show up and put me out of my misery so I can focus on getting on with the new year and reset

Hey all!

well I’ve been married a week now! So naturally next steps is a baby!
ive been using the flo app religiously and we had FUN around ovulation days so this is our first ‘2 week wait’ - if anyone has any tips to help pass the time feel free to share!

bought some ‘early’ detection tests but just wondering if anyone has had any joy with these before? Flo app telling me to wait 3 weeks!!!!

jess x

@bethhop85 it can be so frustrating can’t it! One of the few women who is happy when AF arrives because it still feels like a novelty.

Inositol really worked for me but took awhile so keep going. Other things I’ve found:

Vit D, zinc and Vit C
spearmint tea
walking loads (haven’t actually lost any weight).

Also, annoyingly, time. My cycles seem to be getting better as I get older and have really settled down a full 18 months after coming off the pill.

I think just try everything you can. It seems different for everyone.

Hello ladies,

Hope everybody is keeping well. I’m feeling really sorry for myself as I’ve caught Covid and had to cancel a couple of pre-Christmas do’s that I was really looking forward to 😥Really hope Covid doesn’t affect me TTC in January!

I’ve been taking inofolic alpha regularly (to improve regularity of periods) and Pregnacare conception max but I haven’t had a period since late October and no idea what’s going on! I ovulated last week (finally) so presumably AF is due in another week or so.

I get really frustrated and sad with PCOS as my periods are all over the place which makes it so difficult to plan TTC 😭

Does anybody with PCOS have tips on how to get a regular cycle, other than trying to lose weight? Does acupuncture help? Xx

Welcome summer

it is very normal to overthink TTC. Remember that 4-6 months is the average and up to a year is completely normal.

DH woke up this morning and now wants to go for a vasectomy reversal as it is much cheaper and means a natural TTC so much easier on my body. Now to contact the reversal clinics!

I feel the same way and the longer it goes on the harder I'm finding it but I'm going to use the new year to try and reset a little. Trying to remind myself that even if there is something wrong there are loads of things that can be done

Hi everyone,

Could I please join too? :) We are going to start TTC in January 2023. I’m due to ovulate around New Years Eve, AF arrived today.

Age: 25
Baby number 1.

We’ve just been using the withdrawal method for the last year or so but are ready to try. Just so nervous as I have convinced myself it will take a really long time!

@happyfeet5 I think those are normal thoughts I had those and still do very regularly. I read on a lot of forums women having those same thoughts. TTC isn’t an easy journey for many people and I’m sure as the months go on they all have those kind of thoughts. I never ever thought I would get pregnant but I did (ended in a MC) then I thought I wouldn’t after that but I did (ended in another MC) so I’m hopeful it will happen again and this time it will stick.

ovulating regularly is a good start though you just have to try and be as positive as possible

Is anyone else scared it’ll take forever? I have always irrationally worried about being infertile as being a mum has mattered so much to me all my life! Always had such strong maternal instincts. I believe I ovulate regularly but also worry I have some deficiencies in my diet or health condition that I don’t know about, and that TTC will take months and months! Don’t know if these are normal thoughts ):

Welcome Toads :)

Have an initial discussion appointment booked with one of the clinics for the 17th January.