Preparing for TTC next year

[NoImBridgetJones]

Hello everyone.

This is my first post although I've been lurking for a while now...

My fiancé and I are hoping to start TTC after our wedding next summer. We're both really excited - it'll be a massive year for us hopefully :-D

I was hoping to get some advice on preparations for TTC that I could/should be doing this far in advance?

I came off the pill about 10 months ago in order to let my body settle into it's natural rhythm and to "get to know it" after more than a decade on oral contraception. Things, finally (and thankfully), seem to have settled down and I think (hope) all seems to be ok.

I'm a healthy weight, if a little unfit, so have taken up running to try to improve my fitness. I'm also hoping to join a yoga-type class as I'm utterly inflexible.

Also trying to make some general improvements to our diets, which are okay but could do with more fresh veg. etc. Alcohol/caffeine won't be an issue.

I'm wondering if there are other things I/we should be thinking about now, or if I'm being a bit ridiculous with this amount of planning at this early stage?

Seems way too early to visit the GP for family planning advice.

I wondered if it would be safe for me to start taking Folic Acid now? I do feel a lot more vulnerable since coming off the pill (just using barrier methods) so if I could take it now then I would. Likewise with switching off of my Vit A-containing multivit. tablet to a pre-pregnancy one.

If there is anything else I should/could be doing then it would be great to hear about it! Thanks in advance :-)

Hi, it's exciting thinking about planning, I was the same. There is lots of advice about taking folic acid four months before ttc, it seems your doing everything else right, coming off bc, exercising eating healthy etc. I downloaded the Emma's diary app, which has lots of useful advice and tips for preconception so does mumsnet? There are also some good books out there as well.
I went to my gp four months before for advice, I got blood tested for immunity (I didn't have all my vaccines as a child) and she gave advice on vitamins which ones and to start taking them when start trying to conceive is satisfactory.
I couldn't help but buy the odd thing in the sale baby related, a book or something useful - I've read on blogs that other people do this as well, it's like buying for a new flat. Some people are either superstitious about this or they think oh a bargain and put it away. Never let anyone think your ridiculous, it's normal to get excited :-)
It's a really exciting time with your wedding then ttc have fun!

Thanks for the reply!

I hadn't thought about getting checked for vaccines so I will try remember that.

It is so exciting, I can't help myself getting organised even if it is super early glad

Oops rookie mistake...

...glad I'm not the only one.

I'm going to download the app too, and read up some more on folic acid, so thank you again.

Hey Bridget jones, I was the same as you, my coil has only been out 2 weeks, initially we were going to wait but once we started talking about it and making plans we couldn't wait!!!!!

I'm a tad overweight and so before I had the coil removed, I went to slimming world and lost 2 stone and feel a lot better. I've been taking folic acid for 3 months - I haven't read anywhere it does you any harm as you are meant to take it while you are ttc and this can take months for some people so it must be ok.

We have also started financial planning and saving money up for when I am maternity leave too and I did a Carnot a couple of weeks ago ready to clear the spare room and make it into a nursery!!!! X

Hi Bella, Well done on the weight loss, that's really great and how exciting for you both

That's a good point on the folic acid - maybe I will just go ahead and start taking it just in case!

Ooh have fun setting up the nursery! Fingers and toes crossed for you that you get to use it soon!!

Hey Bridget? I also plan to stick to slimming world whilst, pregnant, some people might think its not a good idea but they have special plans for pregnant ladies and nursing mothers and as long as you have midwife's permission it's ok. I am still a 16-18 but better than being a 20!!!! Plus if I keep an eye on my weight I am less likely to get diabetes during my pregnancy which apparently is common for expectant mums who are overweight.

Yes I really hope we can start the nursery aswell, seen lots of nice things but my partner won't let me buy anything just yet so got to be patient!!!!!

I hope you get a honeymoon baby, that would be so lovely for you xx

Hi Bridget,

We are going to start TTC at Christmas time, so excited. We are waiting till then as if I catch in the first/second cycle its optimal for maternity pay as I'm a teacher. We also finish paying off the car in March, and this gives us a bit of time to save, save, save!!

I have already bought some conception vits and will start taking them next month. I am trying to shift a few pounds before we TTC to try and make things easier. I've also bought a couple of books, to read up on TTC and pregnancy. Not on any contraception so don't have to wait for cycles in that respect, but I had my appendix out (and their was a ruptured ovarian cyst) about a month ago, which i think has affected things slightly.

Most days I find the waiting is ok, but there are occasions when I think why not just go for it.

Good luck everyone.

I'm like you emmylou im a teacher and hooping to conceive in January. I have a 9 month old dd. she was born in October so maternity pay worked out great. I worked the first week and half of September and returned to work for the last week of the summer term.
I was lucky I came off the pill and was pregnant 4 weeks later. I hadn't been taking any vitamins or taking particular care of myself as my dd was not planned but she turned out just fine.