Getting ready for baby challenge

[TheresAlwaysTimeForTea]

Hi all, we are planning on TTC in the new year. Before that I want to get a bit healthier lose three stone and generally be in the best shape possible to get pregnant and run around after a baby. Is anyone else in the same boat? Would you be up for a little thread to keep us all on track? Planning on doing a dry January as a kick start and then will be dragging my arse to the gym after Christmas as well. Very open to suggestion and ideas to shift the bulge. Would be good to have a few buddies though. Anyone fancy joining in?

I've read that it's fine to stop whenever :) Some people say it's best to wait until so you get your "period" at the same time but since it is actually just a withdral bleed there is no practical reason to.

I've been on the trying for a baby Reddit and they are very knowledgeable over there! They recommend temp charting as well as OPKs to confirm ovulation, particularly helpful when coming off hormonal contraception :)

Can I join in? Much like Grumpy I have a 10 year old but now married and looking to ttc june time. January I shall start getting healthier in preparation!

Also confused sorry to hear about your BFN/cycle confusion, so frustrating!

And yes thank you, DD loooves her teepee, keeps gathering things to take in there Can't believe your DH spilled the beans, but we had a gathering of DP's close friends and someone asked about if we're thinking about another one and we spilled the beans too! Have been dropping hits to family nd think my sister understands, but am still feeling weirdly nervous about telling my mum even though she loves having grand children!

And no AF for me yet, but have somehow (probably due to the distraction of Christmas) I've managed not to test. Am a week late now though!

So I could just not take my pill tonight and go from there?!?! Not looking forward to having 'normal' periods back - bit heavier than the light ones on pill. At the same time, petrified my periods won't come back. Oh body please be normal FC!!

Aww Shh I know hormonal contraception can be scary can't it! Luckily for me I stopped in September due to side effects, so hopefully will be back to normal. Have always had regular cycles (I was on Micronor which only stops ovulation about half the time, so think I was having "proper" cycles with regular periods. Typical that when we decide that we'll soon start TTC, my period decides to go AWOL...

But yeah everything I've read says no harm will come of stopping immediately. Even the conception guidance on mumsnet says so, but you may want to have a little look yourself for peace of mind :)

Welcome smu
I feel like I've forgotten everything from last time, as it was so long ago! Looking forward to enjoying & planning this pregnancy (DD1 was not planned & I was v young). I feel more anxious but maybe that's because I'm more aware of the risks!
How about you?

Sounds like me Grumpy! Had him at 18, so any new pregnancy/baby is going to be like new again! At least our oldest are toilet trained!

Anyone else worry about finances?!?! DH earns £22,500 a year, I'm worried how we'd survive on that and SMP whilst I'm off work.

Hi everyone waves
I'd love to join you if that's OK? I took my last pill this morning so am officially TTC! Sounds like you've all got good plans. I've been taking Seven Seas conception vitamins for the last month. Not had any nausea with them although I take them at bedtime. I also need to get back to the gym. Not planning on temping or OPKs just yet as don't want to pressure myself. Could imagine myself becoming obsessed haha! I wonder if anyone knows: when I have a bleed in a few days (last pill today) do I count that as my first period so day 1 of cycle or is it still a withdrawal bleed?

Ssh my DH is worried too. He wants to be earning my what my annual salary is on top of his own so we're not worse off. Don't think that's going to happen!

Hard isn't it. There will never be a right time but don't want us to be crucified financially!

Smu it's nice to talk to someone in the same boat! I'm determined not to let work people being judgey ruin it either (they might be fine but probably will make comments, so want to have a thick skin) - otherwise I'm just swapping one set of judgey people (11 yrs ago when I was a "teen mum") for another! You can't win can you? Never a good time to have a baby. Figure I might as well do it now than wait 5 years for a non guaranteed promotion and then risk being too old.

Mrs I would count it as a period even though it is technically just withdrawal bleed so you have something to go on (timing wise) for expecting AF. I have no idea what I'm doing as I had no periods on cerazette for years so I'm just waiting... (bit scared)

We finally have the money now which I'm very grateful for, and time (work/life balance, childcare etc) should be ok but we don't really have enough space so trying to extend / possibly move. I don't want to move!

I'm lucky though as my work offers 6 months full pay. It's so tough for those who only get SMP.

ssh i dont think you are ever ready money wise. We have done a basic budget, and worked out we can live off just one salary (just, but we can cover mortgage, bills, food, the important stuff) so i think we are as ready as we can be. Tbh the only reason we arent ttc now is that if we wait 6 months i will get better maternity benefits!

grumpy i think having been a teen mum it makes you way more wary of judgy people - this time tho im married with secure job and house so should be a lot less of that! And if there is stuff em. Our choice not theirs!

Thanks, Squirrel. Think I might set up a spreadsheet for dates [rubs hands] I love spreadsheets!

Well said, thank you

I work as support staff in a school. It's 6 weeks 90% and then something like half pay for twelve weeks plus SMP. 26 weeks after SMP. I'm an academy though so don't know the exact amount and it's tricky to ask 😁

ssh support staff in the school are covered by local gov terms (academy means they could have changed them but its a legal nightmare so unlikely) - google local government green book. It also covers sick pay so if you know what sick pay you get you can compare to see if the policies are in line. If its green book its around 6 weeks 90% then 12 weeks half pay then 18 weeks smp. Way better than a lot of private sector jobs!

So that's good right?! Should I stop worrying as much?!? Haha

You'll all get by :) We did just fine with an unplanned first pregnancy, but I work for the government so also got 6 months full pay. I was able to take 14 months off with DD but only plan on taking 9-12 with this one. Am going crazy with planning too! Also luckily as DD is only 15 months we still have tons of baby stuff including all of the big things, plus if it's a girl we have loooads of gorgeous clothes. So excited to get hoarding

ssh on just your oh salary can you cover rent/mortgage, bills, food, petrol? If so then yes stop worrying

Just about smu. Am I being romantic to think, we will just manage?!?!

Hello new crew! What an exciting year 2017 is going to be!

confused lovely to hear that your DH is even more on board now & you might bring your start line forward! There are so many months that wouldn't be ideal for a birthday, but just from trawling the conception threads & reading about difficulties and such small windows of possibilities, you can't narrow it down too much!

Have vaguely looked for a Zika blood test, I saw one at a private clinic which could be an option. I might ask my sister'S DP for some advice, he's a Dr.

Hit the gym today but kind of offset it with a whole packet of jelly babies this eve! WHERE ARE YOU WILLPOWER????!