My first TTC post - it's real now :-)

[AlternativeOpinion1]

TL:DR = I took my last contraceptive pill today. Nervous and excited and looking for any tips

Hello all,

I've floated about these forums for a couple of years. I was uncertain about starting a family for a long time (my partner was more sure than unsure). I'm not sure what happened around last Autumn (no big life changes) but I 'felt' I wanted and was ready for a family. I'm a scientist and a very logical personality so this 'feeling' was weird to me! :-D I'm not religious but this feels bigger and more purposeful than me. I know I'm preaching to the converted but I just wanted to share this with the world (especially as I'm not announcing to my friends and family that I'm TTC).

As far as planning so far goes:

1. I bought 'What to Expect Before You're Expecting' around Christmas time and found it somewhat helpful and interesting.
2. I'm 33 years old. My BMI is 27.5 and I hold my fat around my belly so I'm trying to get fitter and leaner through running, weights and resistance training - all stuff I've always enjoyed but slip out of the habit of too easily.
3. I bought a new 'family-friendly' car last month
4. My partner and I are renovating our house but just cosmetic work left now
5. I've checked out the maternity policies where I work and luckily they are pretty generous with pay and leave (my partner would only get 2 weeks standard paternity)
6. We have my mum and MIL close by and good nurseries and schools where we live
7. I've been doing 3 monthly blood tests to monitor my general health (and tbh to satisfy the geek in me!) and all is good except low folate in January which I believe the pill can cause. I've been taking supplements since Jan and next blood test this week.
8. Partner and I are getting our finances in order
9. Had a chat with my mum about any health issues she experienced during pregnancy and she had gestational hypertension when pregnant with me and was in hospital for a while
10. My partner is fond of a glass of wine or two most nights but he's going to try and keep to the recommended max 14 units a week for men TTC
11. I'm not much of a drinker but lOVE my coffee. Drink 4 a day at the moment so not too much cutting down needed and I'm a huge fan of peppermint tea too!
12. I was on the mini-pill for 15 years and I took my last one today!
13. I have a basal thermometer, a bunch of ovulation test kits and an app to track stuff on.
14. Sex (sorry if TMI for some) - up until TTC we have regular foreplay (few times a week) but intercourse less frequently (maybe once every week or two). I was going to wait 2 to 3 months to come off the pill (especially with the current pandemic ongoing) but given that we're not at it like rabbits, it may take longer to conceive anyway and my partner is less keen on me telling him when we NEED to have sex.

Can you tell I'm a planner? haha Anyway, thanks for reading. Any comments or suggestions are very welcome. I'm nervous/excited to start this journey :) x

A note that I forgot to make...

My partner and I had an abortion 8 years ago when we had not long been a couple, I was inconsistent with the time I took my pills and we were not a good financial position.

I thought this was worth noting as I guess at least I know that back then we could conceive (and quite quickly at that!).

I would encourage you to wait until this pandemic has ended. I’m newly pregnant (conceived in Feb) and I would have stopped trying if my period had came. It’s very scary being pregnant at the moment. Just remember you could fall pregnant very quickly, with regard to point 14.

Thanks @peachypetite I appreciate the advice. It is indeed a scary unsettling time and although in my mind I'm suspecting I'll get pregnant in several months to a year's time, it could be anytime.

Congratulations in any case and I hope you are keeping safe and well x

As I said, there is no basis for you thinking that so don’t work on that assumption. I know plenty of people who got pregnant as soon as they came off the pill.

It's a really good point and I need to remember that. Thanks again @peachypetite

I would look into buying pre-seed. Worked every time for me.

Pressed lubricant. You can buy from Amazon.

good luck to you - but please give it another three months before you stop the pill. Now is not the time to get deliberately pregnant with all health services at breaking point.

OP I took me one month to get pregnant with both of mine. I hoped for a larger gap between gap but there is only 22 months between them.

I'd wait. I think you will be disappointed with your friends and families reaction at this time.

It's complete madness to start trying for a baby now.

Good luck on your TTC journey @AlternativeOpinion1, sounds like you have everything in order! Not much advice just try not to stress (I’m not very good at that part!)

@AlternativeOpinion1 good luck! Sending lots of baby dust your way! 😊🤞🏽