Any pre conception tips?

[DancingUnicorn]

Hi, I'm v new to mn.

My OH and I are wanting to start ttc in the new year. Was just wondering what, if anything, people did to prepare for ttc.

MN recommends visiting the GP. Does anyone have experience of this? Is it something worthwhile?

Hi OP. I dont think visiting GP is necessary, I mean my GP would probably have said stop drinking / smoking and good luck
I would advise to get a fertility monitor from eBay and start taking folic acid and tracking your cycles.
And make sure you take it calmly, it can be a long road so try not to focus too much on it

Good luck

I didn't make a special trip to the GP but I remembered that my smear was overdue so went and got that done and chatted to the nurse about TTC then. She gave me the advice you'd expect - take folic acid - and didn't seem to think there was anything else I should do!

I lost a little weight, started exercising and cut back on caffeine slowly (to avoid a withdrawal when I got PG mainly!!).
But, I took me a long time to conceive so no idea whether doing these things made any difference.

I was at the GP's this past week for a medication review. When I told him TTC was on the horizon, he suggested I go for a blood test to benchmark my thyroid levels (I am hypothyroid and it can mess with fertility and pregnancy), and another blood test to check my immunity against Rubella/German measles.

Thanks everyone. I think I'm prob a bit too excited. Want to feel like I am doing something useful.

Depending on what you do for contraception at the moment, you may want to stop any hormonal methods and use condoms from now until you want to actually 'try'. It can take a long time to get back regular cycles, which is pretty frustrating if you're ready to try 'now'. I was lucky and seem to have resumed regular cycles pretty quickly after getting my IUD removed, but I still wish I had a better idea of what a 'normal' cycle is for me, which a few months pre-TTC might have helped with.

I went to the GP. Also started taking conception Pregnacare tablets - they have folic acid which is good to take before and then continue when pregnant. Read up on things and check finances etc is what I'd recommend as you never know it could happen month 1! Good luck

Cut down on caffeine and alcohol

Pregnacare conception for him and her

For better EWCM: fish oil omega 3 supplements

If over 35, ubiquinol to increase egg quality

DTD on last high and 2 peaks on Clearblue Fertility Monitor

No cycling or saunas for him

Don't wait a year or two to get all the tests done, get them done asap, thyroid, fsh etc