How did you decide you were ready to TTC?

[AtticaRose]

Partner and I got married a few months ago, and I just took my last pill a few days ago! (I was running out anyway and decided not to refill the prescription and get my cycle back.)

We're probably going to have a month or two before taking the plunge... How did you decide to TTC? How did you know you felt ready?

For me it was about stability, I'm quite a practical person and so I had to wait until we were in a house we owned, financially secure, relationship was over 3 years etc. I know others will say "there's never a right time" and "you never know what could happen despite how stable you feel now" but personally, mentally that was important. I've always had a strong maternal side to me anyway, always knew I wanted children so being emotionally ready wasn't a concern. For others, it definitely could be their frame of mind etc :)

To be honest I have never felt ready. I have just turned 28. Dp and I have been together for 7 years. I have a dd from a previous relationship I had her when I was 19. So very young.
Dp and I feel ready. We have bought a house together and have a room there waiting. We both have always said we would have one before we are 30. I would like to have them young so I can have grown up kids in my 50s.
I have never had that really broody feeling where I must have a baby right now!...but our circumstances are as right as they could be right now so as of just yesterday we are trying.

Thanks for your replies, and congratulations @martinimonster!

I always find this so interesting. I have always wanted children, but never in a mist-have-babies-now way. Also, our work situation means that my husband and I regularly spend time apart, so our lives wouldn't meet some people's definition of stable.

However, (a) we're both now 30, (b) we've been together >12 years and (c) I would get 12 months paid maternity leave, which would actually make our lives much more stable for a while! So in many ways, our circumstances are very good, and I'm starting to look forward to the idea of a different pace of life for a while! Love my life now too, but would also be up for a big change.

Me and my DP are planning to start TTC in August. We have been together just over a year, which I know a lot of people think is too soon. But it feels right, and we feel very secure.
We are both about to turn 30 and very broody. We are waiting to TTC until August so I'm not too far gone when I'm bridesmaid later this year x

It was a time running out thing. We said when I turned 30 (because I’m younger) - he would have preferred to start earlier. Then there was 2 years TTC and IVF so didn’t have our first until I was 33.

When we saw our fertility specialist and discussed our plans she said she always tells her clients, “don’t think about what age you want your first child - think about what age you want your last child”.

How many children do you want? Add in time for pregnancies, age gap, and of course TTC time doesn’t always go to plan. If you’re emotionally and financially secure then I’d get on with it.

@AtticaRose I was definitely not worried about wanting children but then my cousin found out she has endometriosis and has been trying to get pregnant with no luck as yet and she told me that if I want children I shouldn't wait unless I have a good reason to as you never know how long it will take. I then came off the pill and found I have extremely long irregular cycles so now I am glad I didn't leave it longer as it may take a while after all! Of course now I have gone from not being too bothered to desperately wanting to get pregnant!
I would say imagine yourself older and without any children, does that make you feel sad? If yes then I would just go for it unless you have a good reason to put it off.

Was just a leap of faith for me, I never felt ’ready’. I got used to the idea pretty quick when I fell pregnant the first mo the. Sadly it didn't work out but losing the pregnancy really made me realise how much I wanted a baby so was all systems go after that.

I didn't come around to the idea of kids until my early 30s, at which point I was having far too much fun travelling, nights out, meals out, indulging generally in being financially comfortable for the first time. Typical dual income no kids situation. So I put it off until a) I felt I was beginning to get a bit jaded with it all, and b) I started to worry time was maybe running short. For me, that was 37! Lucky for me, baby was born within the year and I'm now contemplating a second at 40. Perfect timing for me although I know some will think it's late. I don't mind the restrictions I have now because I had so many years of living it up and we've got enough money for kids not to be a struggle financially.

In short, a mostly rational decision. I never felt broody as such although I adore my DS now he's here.

I have always wanted children, and after finding out I have PCOS last year we decided to bring forward our plans to TTC by a year or so in antipation of any issues. I am 27 and whilst we could probably do with a bit more time to become more financially stable/sort out our house I know we would be able to make it work if I do somehow conceive earlier than anticipated!!

I took my last pill the day after my DH and I came back from honeymoon, and after 3 months of getting my cycle sorted we conceived our LO. For me the timing was important, we had our house, stable jobs, we had just had our wedding, so for us the timing was exactly how we wanted.

Having said that though, when I got that blue line and took it through to tell my DH I burst into tears! Although we had planned to start trying after the wedding and we both really wanted children, it was still such a shock to discover I was pregnant!

I think even if you've decided you're 'ready', having a baby is the biggest, life-changing thing that will ever happen to you and as such, be prepared to be shocked and emotional when you do get that little blue line! (And good luck for when you start trying!)