Ok where do I start?!

[India1819]

My DH and I have decided to try for our first baby this year. Thing is I have no clue where to start (other than the obvious!) looking at starting to try from May/June after our holiday.

I’m 29 and currently on the combined pill. When should I stop taking it? When do I start taking folic acid and do I need any other pregnancy vitamins?

Basically I need advice. I tried to ask the Dr at my last pill check but he was beyond unhelpful. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

It took my body the best part of a year to resettle after I came off the pill so I would stop taking it now. You could start taking the vitamins about a month or two before you start - just get the Pregnacare one which has everything you need in it.

Start taking folic acid now and stop your pill in a month or two. Or if it wouldn’t matter getting pregnant earlier than May then you could stop the pill now. Some people get pregnant straight away, first pill free month.

To be honest it probably doesn’t make a lot of difference either way but if you don’t want to get pg before May stay using contraception.

Just as an aside - Pregnacare used to make me feel queasy so I took it at bedtime.

You could download a fertility tracking app like Glow or Fertility Friends too.

Also it's worth understanding your cycles better, so you have the greatest chance of conceiving when you are ready. I used an app called Ovia, but there are lots of others, to log all the information about my periods etc. It then figures out what days you're most fertile. Obviously it's not as accurate as ovulation sticks, but I found it a more relaxed way to approach trying for a baby.

The recommendation is to take folic acid for 3 months before conception so I'd start taking those now and then come off the pill as soon as you get back from hols.

Using an app to track your cycle is really useful, most people start off having sex just before and during their fertile window (and more if they feel like it obvs) and then keep track of cervical mucus and other symptoms on their app. You can also look at tracking your body temperature and using ovulation tests to pinpoint your ovulation.

Good luck!

Thanks everyone. There's a lot more to think about than I thought. I didn't realise I should be tracking my cycle and ovulation.

Our friends have been asking us to go away at new year which includes a short haul flight (2hrs or so). We would like to go but obviously if things go to plan I might already be pregnant by then. Is it ridiculous to think it might be feasible? I've never thought about it before but how do people plan...we might be pregnant and travelling at 6 months, or it might take me a good year/18 months at least and it be fine. Do people just stop booking holidays even if it takes quite a while to happen?

Remember that it doesn't necessarily take time for your fertility to return after you come off the pill. I got pregnant the first cycle after coming off the combined pill. Was a shock to say the least! (Which I'm aware is stupid, I know how babies are made, but still surprised for some reason!)

We were invited on holiday in May of this year whilst we knew we were about to start trying so didn't book it, got pg and had a MC, and now the price has gone up and is too much to afford. I'm gutted on both counts.

You can safely fly until quite late into pregnancy so short haul may not be a problem at all. I'd check the guidelines but I think at 6months you would be ok.

If you can just relax about it and have sex regularly, start taking folic acid now.

If you want to be more proactive get an app like Ovia and start logging stuff. I did opk (ovulation tests) for the first time this month and found out I ovulate earlier in my cycle that I thought.

Many lubes damage sperm so if you use it try a sperm friendly one (pre-seed)

Travelling - get good insurance that covers the baby as well if you have to deliver abroad.