Prep work - tips needed

[FlorIxora]

So the IUD is out and we're gearing to TTC. What prep work did you undertake ahead of conceiving? Nothing at all go on as usual? Go crazy-fit and quit all bad habits? A middle ground in between the two?

I managed to quite the lovely fags over 6 months ago now, and have had the IUD removed, but that's about it. What should I or we be doing?

I started taking folic acid but apart from that didn't do anything else, but then I don't drink or smoke (well done for giving up) and eat relatively healthily so didn't feel I needed to change anything drastically, I conceived after 2 months and am now 39 weeks pregnant.

Sorry posted to early, I meant to say good luck

Take folic acid and have a weekend away or holiday if you can afford it. If not have a weekend at home where you both laze about and watch films etc as this is a rare event once a baby is about. Enjoy making a baby don't stress or overthink it !! X

Thanks. We've done the holiday bit a few weeks ago. It was blissful. I just find there is so much advice for when one is pregnant and not so much for before hand. I have bought Expecting better by Emily Oster which I am finding very useful but I am also determined not to read too much about the whole process or be overflowed with advice, whilst at the same time I can't help but have that niggling feeling that I might be overlooking something important.

The best advice I could give you is to just relax and have fun

I only think I remember being to was folic acid and vitamin D drops and eat plenty of iron to build stores. You can go see a GP nurse or midwife about pre conceptual care, good idea to check about smear and sti testing or if there are any vaccinations you are not up to date with

I take vitamins with folic acid & omega 3 and DH takes a wellman vitamin. Trying to eat well, drink loads of water & exercise regularly but would be doing that anyway. Well done for stopping smoking already!

Folic acid and I cut down on caffiene (which was HARD) ... Down to 2 coffees a day x

I think I must be doing ok after all. Just started reducing coffee from 7 cups a day to 2. Very difficult, I'm a "chain drinker", one cup fills up the next :)

I have done the STI and smear test, conveniently it was just time to do so. I have also had a immunity test for a vaccine I wasn't sure I had. I've asked husband to watch his alcohol intake, I'm trying to limit my self to a drink or two per week (I am not a "moderation" type person, not a binge drinker either, but certainly drink more than should on a night out).

I'm also taking a folic acid and vitamin supplement.

Unfortunately, the scales have revealed that over the last 5 months I have put on almost a stone of grief (and biscuits) weight so I am trying to nip this in the bud now and doing loads of walking.

Thanks everyone! Cycle started a few days ago, so I guess this is it, we'll see how we go. This is exciting and terrifying at the same time.