Very excited, DP and I decided to TTC for our first today! Now what the hell should I do?

[madonnawhore]

I'm 33, DP is 37. We actually got pregnant last summer by mistake but that ended in miscarriage :(

But now definitely feels much more like the right time. Our relationship's solid and this baby will be wanted and planned for. So I'm forcing myself to be very optimistic :)

Anyway, now that we've decided to properly go for it I don't really know what I should be doing apart from taking folic acid and having lots of sex.

I'm assuming it might be a little bit harder for me because I'm early thirties? Would be grateful to hear positive experiences.

Should I be giving up caffeine and alcohol and stuff like that? Anything I shod especially be eating? Can I still go running?

clueless

I'm interested to have all the hints and tips too - recently got married and ttc as of now really!

33 is about average these days I would have thought. Yes keep running, you might as well while you can (I ran regularly up to about 6 months pregnant). Personal choice re. caffeine and alcohol - I didn't give them up but just tried to live fairly healthy lifestyle - ie. everything in moderation. Plus if it takes a while you'll go mad if you have cut everything you enjoy out of your life! Good luck!

Don't give up caffeine and alcohol - you could be at this for a while and rearranging your entire life is the way maddness lies.

Have lots of sex. Don't use contraception. You can definitely still go running.

How well do you know yourcycle? Shag every other day in the few days before and a day after you expect to ovulate.

Congrats on taking the step :-)
I'm 39 and now 15+5 with DC1
We started TTC in May(ish) and got BFP in Nov.
Advice IMHO:

1. Start taking conception vitamins with folic acid asap.
2. DTD every 2 days at most, to give DH/DP sperm a chance to recover potency.
3. Eat healthy but don't drive yourself mad cutting everything out - I started and after month went back to the weekend wine cos it was torture to think about 18+months of no booze ;-)
4. Relax and don't stress about it too much
5. Download an app such as Pink Pad so you can track AF and when you DTD - it 'learns' your cycle and gives you an idea of when you're ovulating- not scientific but less stressful/cheaper that ovulation testing
6. Enjoy it!

Good luck xx

Don't think it could be more difficult due to your age!

Of expect doubts (well I/we had doubts)

But! Most importantly take the folic acid and enjoy!

Doubts are normal.

As is spending an afternoon with screaming toddlers in a pub thinking WTF am I thinking (me today) followed by I know I desperately want a baby (a bit of me and a bit of the man I love)

So good luck :)

xxx

Pink pad sounds good! I love a good app! Downloading it now! :)

I have a quick question -
Local boots store didnt have any folic acid OR pregnacare in stock! I was shocked!
So I went to superdrug and got Superdrugs own pregnancy care tablets for before conception+through pregnancy. Im assuming they are the same as pregnacare anyway.

I have some folic acid tablets at home... should I replace the folic acid with the pregnancy care tablets I have now? Surely the pregnancy care tablets have EVERYTHING I need?

I just did folic acid and sex. Worked both times, at 37 and 40. It needn't be complicated to start with.

Just started TTC #1 here too (I'm 35, BF is 34). I'm having my first AF since coming off Cerazette so 2 weeks time will by our first proper go at it. This place is great for tips and support.

Exciting times :)

Yes Gillian, good question! I have some folic acid tablets. But I want to switch to pregnancare. Should i ditch the FA if I start taking Pregnacare? Or could I take both?

Can you have too much folic acid?

Pregnacare already contains the recommended amount of folic acid so you don't need both.

As others have said, take folic acid, shag, otherwise carry on as normal until you get your BFP. That is all most people need.

madonnawhore we are reading eachothers minds! this is what im wondering. ditch one for the other or take both?

Folic acid and sex then! LETS GO! ;)

I dont INTEND on getting to crazy or making things to complicated... my plan is to have lots of sex and take folic acid and keep fingers crossed :)

Notice I capitalized DONT... because I sense that soon enough I will start trying to make things a bit more complicated and scientific than they need to be! haah x

Keep a basic record of your cycle on your phone diary (eg period day 1, period arrived day 29 afternoon) don't bother with much more than this at first, but once you know how long your cycle is, have a go with ovulation predictor kits to make sure you are ovulating. Most people ovulate 14 days before their period, so get a pack and start testing about 17 days before period is expected. It gives you an idea of what's going on and helps you to get in tune with your body, eg noticing ovulation twinges etc. and working out shag time around then.

From my own miserable experience, it's useful to have a record of your cycle if, a year down the road, there is nothing doing. I hope you never need it though!

Folic acid and sex it is then!

Just downloaded that pink pad app too. It's fab.

Prepare rockets for launch ladies...

I got my pregnacare from amazon £6 something for 3 months supply which was much cheaper than boots etc.

I started TTC DC2 in August. I was 30. (DC1 was a surprise :)) I did the counting thing, where day 1 is the first day of your period? Then shagged like crazy on days 11-14. Worked the first try! DD will be here end of May. :o

I didn't take folic acid supplements as they made me sick. So ate loads of food with folate in (eggs and leafy veg).

We missed the first month due to moving to a third floor flat with no professional help and only half a day off the first month. So DON'T carry half your worldly possessions up three flights of stairs a day or two after your usual fertile days, (in what turned out to be a slightly long cycle) pass out at the top and miss sex on the day it probably would have worked!

Second worked like a dream. I'm a similar age to yourself.

Get your OH to eat walnuts and various other (google them!) good-for-sperm foods just in case it takes a little while (sperm hang around for up to three months apparently so will be of more benefit if you conceive later). You can up folic acid naturally with rocket salads etc.

You've done it (accidentally?) with this man before though (I had too) so I'd assume it will be easy... and ditch the coffee/chocolate/caffinated energy drinks and alcohol straight away. Saves guilt/worrying later.

Counting/apps are more dull than sex so I'd just do it every day... unless you REALLY like your smart phone ;-)

It gets you in the mod and I'm pretty sure I conceived as a result of my usual fertile-days' enthusiasm anyway... jumping OH twice before work just because you feel like it is more fun than doing it because a thermometer told you too.

Congrats on your decision!