Preparing to TTC in 2023

@Mushroo we have a few trips coming up, including long haul in April. He wants to wait and have those trips just us first without having to worry about pregnancy or sickness/tiredness etc. I have been pregnant before, a few years ago but sadly lost it. For the first 7 weeks I was very ill and also snappy with him. He knows every pregnancy is different but if I'm the same way again then he wants to make sure we aren't away during 1st trimester so that we can just enjoy it.

@DanisEndo yes this is so true and is what I keep telling myself. We have lots of space anyway to be honest. It's not a small flat we have an upstairs and a downstairs and the bedroom is big. I just keep telling myself people have babies in all kinds of situations and environments and do just fine. Also sounds like you did buy your house just in time! So lucky!

@WanOvaryKenobi yes what you have described definitely sounds better than buying a big family home at this point, I agree it would be silly. It sounds like a really good place to live and not too dissimilar to what our area is like actually. My DH grew up around here and even though they had a 2 bed house his room was a box room and he managed just fine!

@ViewFromTheAfternoon Everything is a compromise with property. We bought a place that was on the smaller side but it is in a very safe family-friendly area that isn't all the way out in the suburbs. There's lots to do, schools are good, and everything is a short walk away. Definitely could have gotten more bang for our back elsewhere but then there's the bugger all to do/ages away/bear pit schools. It's also quite a popular area with various arty types and a lot of pubs/cafes just in case things don't work out we still want to live here. I hate the thought of buying a big family home in the suburbs then ending up with it just the two of us and the dog! Someone once said to me there is no perfect time or place to have a baby, and if you keep holding out you will never have the baby!

@ViewFromTheAfternoon whats your DH’s reasoning for waiting? Hopefully you can come off the pill in March as planned and then just see what happens!

@Mushroo @WanOvaryKenobi this makes me feel a bit less worried, thank you! I mean we aren't starting to TTC until 6 months time anyway and then by the time it takes to conceive (if it does happen at all) plus 9 months pregnant, then baby stays in your room etc. By that point we may have already moved or be in a position to. Just don't know what's going to happen with these prices and when.

I keep getting moments of thinking should we just go for it now?! Like what are we waiting for, I'm sick of waiting. But H said not until may/June 😔 I'm struggling with trying to not wish the time away

@ViewFromTheAfternoon we are currently in a two bed with one bedroom needing to be renovated. Neighbours upstairs managed with a little one in a one bed flat. I also know people who spent a fortune on nurseries that their kids didn't use until they were over a year old. My main concern is how to manage all the toys and have adequate play space!

@WanOvaryKenobi thats amazing! So glad the docs are doing something.

@ViewFromTheAfternoon were in a 2 bed flat currently but we both work from home so we will essentially lose an office. Like you the mortgage rates are scaring me so moving right now wouldn’t really be an option without severely compromising. Our next move will be to a long term 3/4 bed house. We also think if for whatever reason kids don’t happen, we don’t want to have stretched to a bigger house in a family area for no reason! Sounds like we’re in a similar position anyway, I’m sure it’ll be fine - they’re in your room for awhile anyway!

@Mushroo what will the space be like for you with moving afterwards? We rent a one bedroom at the moment and I had it in my head that this isn't ideal and would need to buy a two bedroom house before TTC. However, when we were looking earlier this year the house prices were crazy and people were putting in offers way over ours. And now the rates are insane! So it's really looking like we aren't going to be able to afford to buy for maybe a couple of years. However I don't want to wait that long to TTC because by then I'll be like 32 and we don't know how long TTC is going to take etc so I feel like we have to just go ahead and do it and manage in a one bed until we can afford to move. It does worry me though!

Woohoo! I have an update.

Went to GP today for a face to face after multiple blood tests. Confirmed PCOS (again). I have been given a private letter of referral to endocrinology and am now on the waiting list for gynaecology. So that's something.

I have also been given a 10 day course of Norethisterone to shed my endometrial lining and prevent other associated health problems from oligomenorrhea. I will be taking these every three months from now on.

Will be on the waiting list for reproductive help but won't be seen until August. At this stage I am just happy that I am (finally) being listened to.

@DanisEndo thanks! The shell is going to be finished next week so me and my DH have been talking even more about how maybe now wouldn't be the worst timing.. We'll see!

That must be difficult with the stop starting but I'm sure it'll work out to be perfect timing for you when it happens! It'll be great to enjoy your wedding exactly as you've planned it too 😊

@Mushroo ah exciting! Good luck 🎉

@marleyandme this is me 😂. I had to wait until October to qualify for enhanced mat pay at my work. We’re now waiting until January so I can enjoy Xmas and in an ideal world would prefer an autumn baby.

Definutely think going to go for it in Jan. Our other option was move house first but I think we’re just going to go for it and move later. The smaller mortgage where we are will definitely help with childcare costs!

@DanisEndo thanks for creating the thread!
My pre TTC list are things like finishing a house extension which is due to finish by Christmas, have my smear test which is due in January, DH to pay his car finance off also due in Jan. Basically we've done the sums and could easily cope with getting pregnant now but also I want everything perfect before we try 😂 I know this is unrealistic and knowing me I'll come up with more excuses in a few months!
I think I'm just scared of trying 🙈 maybe I'll change my mind on the February plan and do it sooner.

We've also got a little break booked for next September so if we got pregnant now we'd have to change it which wouldn't be a big deal but equally it's another stopper in my head for not trying 😂

I hope I'm not the only one that wants to try but keeps coming up with excuses!

@DanisEndo I have not heard, will give it a listen now! Thank you so much. Hoping for a better year next year x

Hi everyone! What a lovely thread.

Age: 30
TTC No: 1

Similar boat to a few people here. Started TTC this year and then subsequently found out I have PCOS. Now playing the waiting game for fertility treatment as the natural route looks unlikely. So focussing on making myself as healthy as possible, eating lots of fruit and veg, and exercising three times a week. Taking a bit of a break from tracking everything as it was getting very depressing (90 plus day cycles) but will start again next year.

Ahh I can finally join a thread! Came off the pill at the end of September, just waiting for AF to show up now and it's taking ages. I'm 27 and TTC #1
We're planning to properly try from February as there's a few things I want to tick off the to do list first but a lot of it is my brain just wanting to be as prepared as possible which isn't possible!
DH would be happy to conceive now so I might be persuaded to see what happens soon if my anxiety improves and AF returns 🤞

Ahh I have been waiting for a thread like this for ages! I have been reading the 'preparing to TTC in 2022' all year and thinking to myself "this will be me next year!" I'm so excited that I can finally join a thread and be involved instead of just lurking.

I am 29 and we will be TTC our first in June. It feels like so far away still so I haven't even come off the pill yet or started taking anything. I was thinking of doing all of that round about March time.

I have endometriosis and within the past couple of years I have had two surgeries. One to remove a cyst on my ovary tube and another to remove the endo. This is another reason why I don't want to come off the pill too soon because as I understand it, being on the pill stops new endo growing???? I THINK. That might not be completely true but it's what's in my head so I'm scared to come off it too soon and also have to deal with horrible period pain.

I have been mentally ready for a baby for the past two years so I'm SO excited that TTC is less than a year away. Until then we will be going on trips and getting as much "us" time as possible

@Mushroo ik not a doctor but it’s an adaptogen so supposedly balanced yur hormones. I’m quite estrogen dominant and I feel like it’s helping give my progesterone levels a chance

@DanisEndo thanks for the add