Want to TTC from April

[purplepingu]

Hi, I'm new here and want to start off by asking what's probably a really stupid question!

We get married in April next year and want to TTC straight away. What do I need to know or do with nearly six months notice?

Taking folic acid is the most important thing: it's recommended to start taking it at least three months prior to TTC to reduce the risk of spina bifida. Otherwise, be healthy, curb any serious vices, maybe get your hubby-to-be to take some zinc tablets, and relax!

Thanks! I knew about the folic acid, didn't know what timescale I would be looking at. What's the benefit of zinc?

I'm also on the pill at the moment, when would be the best time to come off it? I think my cycle will fall right so that I'm not on my period for the wedding or honeymoon

Sorry for the confusing name change btw!

Cut down on alcohol and caffeine, and stop using any recreational drugs - and that goes for DP too. See you GP if you use any medication at present - if contra-indicated in pg, you may need to stop taking it a certain length of time before ttc. Also lose weight if necessary, improve diet, get more sleep - generally be as healthy as you can be. Start taking a pre-natal vitamin (Boots pre-conception ones are good and cheap) which contains folic acid - as per above, you should take this for at least three months before ttc, and the other vits and minerals will help address any deficiencies you have.

Re the Pill, some people manage to conceive immediately after stopping taking it, and others have dodgy cycles for months. It might depend on which specific one - perhaps ask your GP? If you can manage with condoms, it might be an idea to stop taking it a few months before you want to start ttc so your body can adjust.

Thanks for that.

Neither of use smoke, do drugs, are on medication or drink very often. Any weight we're planning on losing will be done by the time our wedding comes round anyway.

I'm thinking of starting the folic acid after Christmas and maybe coming off the pill around February time, that gives me a couple of months. I've come off it before and my cycle has been completely back to normal straight away so fingers crossed!

You don't have any vices, good on you! I had to quit smoking. It sucked.

Zinc boosts sperm count, as does selenium. My OH takes Wellman Conception pills which contains huge amounts of everything including those two, but it's quite expensive. It's cheaper to get them seperately

We started taking folic and zinc and I came off the nuvaring about 4 months before TTC.

I also started tracking my periods & other symptoms (eg ovulation pains, CM) on an app so I had a better idea of what my body did at different times of the month/ average cycle lengths etc which was really useful when it came to actually TTC.

Unfortunately losing the benefit of controlling your periods on holiday is a downside! I got mine slap bang in the middle of our travelling honeymoon in the far east!!!

Hello Purple, here’s a list of things I started doing January 2013, in preparation to start TTC in July 2013.

• Upped my exercise and nutrition habits i.e. went from working out 2x a week to 4x a week, eating more veggies etc.
• Stopped taking the pill and practiced Natural Family Planning aka identifying fertile period and avoiding sex at that time.
• Started taking folic acid (400mcg) and a daily vitamin supplement
• Started tracking my cycle; used an app on my phone.

Those were the 4 conscious things I did in preparation. I am on Cycle#3 now (BFN in August and September). About to begin 5 days of DTD and fingers crossed for a BFP come October 7th.

All things others have said, but I would add comments re pill. How long did you come off it before? When I came off it my cycles were "normal" for 3 months then went haywire, I bled for 7weeks straight. Everyone is different, every pill is different. You have to come off it when its right for you in the balance of knowing the risks.

Good luck

I've come off it before for a few months after having a cervical scare which the doctor blamed the pill for. So was off it for at least six months and my cycle was consistent.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to comment!