Pre-TTCing and the countdown

[FluttershyStare]

Dh and I have finally decided that in January, we will start TTC.

This has been the product of a lot of too-ing and fro-ing on my part,and now that I've finally realised that actually, I do want to be mum and have a baby of my own (DH has two DC from a previous marriage) I am happy and excited and scared.

But what I want to know, as a complete novice, is should I be doing anything particular in the run up to coming of contraception? (I am trying to be healthy and lose weight in general)

I would start taking a conception vitamin tablet 3 months before trying as it is recommended that you take folic acid supplements before conceiving. The rest depends on whether you want to go with flow and see what happens. If not, you can track your cycles and try to work out when you ovulate each month.

Hi Flutter thought I would drop a message as I am in a similar position and going to TTC after Christmas. Neither me or my partner have children but it's something we both really want. I know I need to loose some weight and am trying to be healthier but I have always been a fuller figured woman. Anyway hopefully we can support each other this site is great for advice.

If you're overweight then definitely try to lose some. Stop smoking if you do. Take a pregnancy folic acid supplement. Save money and enjoy your freedom! You could start following your cycle more closely to see when you ovulate. If you are on hormonal birth control bear in mind it can take many months for your cycles to return to normal after stopping it.

Thanks for the replies, I'm currently on the implant and while I've read that it can be quick to get back to 'normal' cycles after having it removed, I'm keeping in mind that it'll take a while

Weight loss is a work in progress and involves plenty fruit/veg/water.

I don't smoke and alcohol intake is low

Hi purple! I'll make sure to look out for you come January!

It sounds like you've got most bases covered. Mumsnet is a wealth of info and I read so much on here pre ttc. I was on information overload!

Hi Fluttershy - my DH and I are hoping to try in the new year too. At my last GP appointment for something totally different, my (lovely) GP happened to bring up starting a family. As well as taking folic acid and making sure I'm eating well etc, she said that before TTC you should have a blood test to check your immunity against rubella. Supposedly very harmful to a foetus, and that the childhood vaccination may not have been effective.

Find out your maternity entitlements and plan your finances. I planned to have three mortgage payments in the bank for when My salary dropped to statutory pay. It is out biggest out going so made life a lot easier. Take supplements and focus on being healthier in all aspects of your life. I also bought a pack of ovulation sticks so I could check I was ovulating. I did it a couple of months before we started trying. Knowing I was ovulating, knowing the length of my cycles and knowing what point in my cycle I was ovulating saved me a lot of stress. I didn't use opks again. I just relaxed and jumped on dh as much as possible. Good luck!