First timer...

[alexandrias]

Hi everyone,

I am totally new to all of this and my husband and I are going to start trying for a baby in the next few weeks (!) and I am really excited but also conscious that I mustn't get disappointed if it doesn't happen right away.

Do any of you have any advice, or things you wish you'd known from the beginning? Anything would be greatly appreciated!!

x

I'd recommend investing in the following things:
the book 'taking charge of your fertility',
a bbt thermometer (the babymad on amazon is good),
ovulation predictor tests (one-step on amazon are good).

These things will help you to understand your cycle, which is really important.

I'd also start taking folic acid daily from now (as it's recommended for c. 3 months before you conceive).

The biggest thing i'd recommend though, is to join one of the 'bus' threads, where ladies expecting their pregnancy in a certain month chat, share experiences, tips, and are just a huge support to each other.

I wouldn't go down the road of predictor kits myself and all that unless you have a few months of no success. For me they would make me overly conscious and feel stressed by it. It is good to figure out when you are ovulating though (reading your natural body signs) as that will ensure you know when to get "busier". For me I think mental imagery helped. After having sex I tried to imagine an egg being fertilised...I know that sounds a bit strange but I think that there's a huge psychological side to fertility...stress clearly impedes so my theory is to relax and be positive...worked twice so far (each time on our second cycle of trying).... That's my twopence

Don't tell anyone in RL you're trying. We didn't really anyway but we had some jealous responses when we got pregnant quickly. It also works the opposite way and if you have to wait for a while, people can annoy you by saying silly things. Keep it under your hat.

Thanks guys - all very helpful advice! It is really interesting to hear how differently people approach it as well!

I'm taking folic acid already so that is one thing I'm doing right! I love reading books about things, I'm a bit of a nerd, so might have a look :)

I find the whole 'working out when you're ovulating' thing so confusing! I have had the Mirina coil for 4 years and only recently had it removed so not sure when I regularly have a period yet.

Will definitely look for one of the 'bus threads' - these kind of forums are so helpful, because as professornangnang has said - you don't really want to tell people that you're trying in case it takes a long time (or visa verse!) so it is great to share tips :)

Thanks guys x

You're welcome.
I forgot - if you do decide to chart your cycle, there are loads of apps and websites, such as fertility friend and ovia, which are really useful if you like to record and visualise things.