First time TTC - help please!! Any one else TTC for their first time?

[BeeR2009]

Hi everyone,

Me and my husband have made the decision to try for a baby - we had a talk last month after I thought I might be pregnant (we weren't actively trying) and after 12 years together feel that now is the right time.

I'm feeling really excited and a little nervous - I know it may take a while and I just want to be as prepared as possible and be doing as many of the right things as I can.

What do people recommend for trying to get pregnant? Is anyone else in the same boat and would like to keep in touch/progress?

I'm due to finish AF in around 2 days and due to ovulate around 28th according to my tracker app - I've got folic acid and vitamin D arriving tomorrow that I can start taking, what else can I be doing to prepare as much as possible? I know it sounds silly, but do we just start 'trying' as soon as my period is over?

Look forward to speaking to you all soon!

Thanks,

Bee x

@AlisonLew15 my boss just asked if I want to go to a conference end of January... If I am pregnant now it'd be 2 weeks before my due date... If not though I'd like to go lol

@Daffodil21 thank you so much, it really does make a difference having somewhere to talk. I will make sure it goes on my record. Thanks for the advice on OPKs I will have a look on amazon.
@Peach1204 Thank you, I will definitely enjoy my gin!
@AlisonLew15 Thanks for the advice, sounds like the the clear blue are worth a try then. I have used preseed but only instead of normal lube, I've never used the applicator to put it inside. We have always used lube and I just wanted a fertility friendly one. As a normal lube it is fine other than that I can't comment. It is quite a small tube for the price though.
@Mrskcam hope you are okay!
@Poppyismyfavourite Good luck with test tomorrow! sorry about your chicken.

@Bam27 we have never used lube before so be interested to see what it's like. Wonder if DH will even notice. He's realised that we need to up our game during my FW!

@Poppyismyfavourite @SaraVB my husbands family are well aware that we are TTC so I've told them that we will look to book next month, if we are or aren't pregnant by then that'll be the cut off for travelling so we'll make our excuses then. They've already booked their flights this evening- they're eager!

@AlisonLew15 good that he has done his own research! My OH is far too chilled out about everything 😂 and definitely wouldn't do any research.

@Bam27 it's taken numerous arguments and tears to get him to this point! He has two boys (13 &10) already so I think he thought it was as easy as that.

@AlisonLew15 curious about pressed... might be worth a try. I'll have to check to see if I can find it online cos I'm sure it won't be easy to find here.

Oh that's good about the trip then. They'll understand whatever you decide.

@Poppyismyfavourite can you get someone to replace you if you can't make it to the conference later on? Sorry to hear about your chicken!

@Bam27 I hope you're doing ok. My best friend went through a similar experience and got pregnant again the next month. She will be having her baby next month. So I'm sure it's a difficult thing to go through but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there's good things to come x

We've just started trying to conceive. I should have ovulated yesterday, and we had sex. My husbands 47 so I know it.might take a while but it's all I can think about. I'm so anxious and excited. Already chosen the big things I need to buy, car seat, next to me crib and cot bed. Really hoping it doesn't take us ages 🤞 good luck to everyone trying x

@AlisonLew15 oh I see, well I'm glad he seems to be understanding a bit more now. I think it is drummed into everyone from a young age that it's so easy to get pregnant! I remember sex Ed at school them saying you can get pregnant any time of your cycle! What a load of bull that is! 😂 Not until you actually try that you realise how difficult it can be!

@SaraVB I'm okay, just got to keep trying and stay as positive as I can. Thank you that's really reassuring. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you also!
@Nottherealslimshady good luck on you ttc journey, I hope it happens quickly for you.

@SaraVB I don't have to go but it'd be nice. On the plus side, with covid they're likely to run a virtual conference in parallel...

Hi, I hope it's OK for me to join! I'm new to TTC and still trying to understand everything on here.

AF started today, so today is Cycle Day 1 of Cycle #1 for Baby #1.

I'm 24, DH is 28. It's almost our 1 year wedding anniversary, so we've decided we want to start a family. Everyone around me seems to fall pregnant sooo easily! But I've never been on contraception and DH and I haven't been really that careful (TMI, but we used the pull out method and there were lots of accidents 🙈) but I've not fallen pregnant. So it does make me worry a bit, that it might not be straightforward for me...

OP this is what we did (we conceived the first month of trying and I've no idea if any or all of these things helped, but I recommend looking into all of them):

• pre-seed lubricant (mimics your cervical mucus and helps sperm move. Normal lubricants can inhibit sperm movement)
• used an ovulation kit (clear blue fancy one with digital screen)
• I tracked my cycle on the app Flo
• Decaf tea (or coffee) for both of you
• folic acid vegetables like broccoli and spinach (humus, lentils...)
• tomatoes are supposed to be good men
• I read the NHS website for advice on eating and vitamins to conceive
• we both took the vitabiotics wellwoman/ wellman pregnacare vitamins (it seemed to increase DH sperm/semen quantity)
• don't have sex every day as the sperm quality isn't as good/ enough in quantity. Every other day is actually better to improve your chances
• although I usually go to the toilet after dtd to avoid a uti, I tried to avoid this for a little while so that I didn't leak sperm/semen and instead lay on my back in bed for a while/ put my legs up against the wall (no idea if it helped)
• we both stopped drinking alcohol. DH started drinking again after we got the positive result

A result - faint but finally something there! Just keeping my fingers crossed that it sticks 🤞🤞

@liquoricecravings thank you for all those tips! I bought Preseed yesterday, waiting for AF to arrive before we give that a go. DH and I don't really drink, he loves a cup of tea though!

@Poppyismyfavourite yay! That's a clear line to me. Hoping it gets darker for you! Positive vibes.

@acaciabluebell good luck on your journey. This thread is amazing, everyone is so supportive and full of great advice!

@Bam27 I think Sex Ed in school consisted of one lesson and a useless video tape! DH was 23 and his ex partner was 21 when they had their first child and the second followed pretty quickly. 13 years later it isn't so simple this time round. We have a great relationship with his boys, they come to stay about 4 times a week. As much as I love them I'd love a little one of our own. But it'll come, and our baby will be so wanted and loved 😀

@Poppyismyfavourite that is great to see!!! You must be thrilled! Also sorry about your chicken

@AlisonLew15 if you wouldn't miss the £300, I personally would book the hol. If things take a lot longer than expected then you'll feel extra shitty knowing you've also missed out on the hol. If you're still TTC by then it will be a welcome break to perk you up (fingers crossed you can't go though  )

@Mrskcam hope you're feeling better now! It's funny they said that though! I bet you had a little smile to yourself haha. Here's hoping 🤞

Welcome @acaciabluebell - no such thing as TMI on this thread!

Hi all

Hoping you don't mind me dipping in, I've read the whole thread the last few days and I would love to be a part of it! Love how supportive everyone is.

I turned 30 this week (eek). I got married last November. I have PCOS so often don't ovulate and can go from missing AF for a few months to having a period that lasts a really long time (the longest is 13 weeks so far I think!) So I always knew getting pregnant would not be straight forward.

I have an ovusense so am tracking my BBT every day and this cycle am using an OPK every day to try and catch an ovulation. So far nothing.

Am taking pregnacare pre-conception, Coq10, and My Ova (Myo-Inositol, Chromium, folate).

Really envious of people who can just track their ovulation and plan their cycle as its so regular!! haha.

Looking forward to chatting with you all :)

@Cluurr welcome. I can't imagine having such long and varying cycles. That much be so frustrating for you. If you find it is taking a long time to TTC the docs can give you medication to get you to ovulate. I have suspected PCOS, but nothing yet confirmed as my cycles are slightly longer than usual but pretty regular. I'm having blood tests when things pick up again and if I'm not ovulating they will give me medication to make me (doc is pretty confident I am ovulating though, and so am I).

You'll have seen on this thread lots of words of warning about pregnecare vitamins, they're known for delaying ovulation and lengthening cycles further.

Just on vitamins - I had a letter through from the fertility clinic this morning and the only two they recommend is folic acid and vitamin d3

@daffodil21 Yes I read above about the pregnacare vitamins so have been googling this morning - I had no idea! Probably going to stop taking them and go to another pre-natal vitamin.

The doctors are unlikely to give me anything currently as my BMI is over 35. So working on that too!

Currently feels like I'm stood at the bottom of a very huge mountain and not sure how I'm going to be able to climb it and get over all these hurdles. But just so desperate to start our family.

Gosh a lot of catch up on today so here goes;

@SaraVB I know its so hard isn't it, glad you have been able to relax though and good luck for this cycle for you :)

@Peach1204 I know thats why I test early I just feel different I know 10DPO is early particularly because I was only using the app so it may not even have been 10DPO it could have been 9 or 8 as I had fertile mucus for days past when it predicted my ovulation so Im not fully out yet. Good luck to you too.

@Nottherealslimshady Good luck with your journey and welcome :).

@Poppyismyfavourite So sorry to here about your chicken, and just seen our update that is a clear line massive congrats hope it keeps getting clearer for you :)

@acaciabluebell Welcome, and good luck, If you need any of the acronyms explaining am sure everyone would be happy to answer, and try not to worry about not having gotten pregnant when you have had the occasional accident as we are all learning its pretty hard to get pregnant on purpose :)

@liquoricecravings Thanks for the advise am doing most of that.

@Cluurr Welcome and I hope you get your BFP quickly it must be extra stressful with irregular periods, am sure there are some more experienced lovely ladies that will come along with some good advise with similar circumstances to yours :).

Well I have no patience so have tested again today as I just dont feel right. I tested on about my 4th urine of the morning and used an internet cheapy I am about 10-11 DPO and weirdly I got a very faint line. I will test with first urine tomorrow morning with a frer but it may just be an evap line who knows.

@summertime1992 Thank you! + that is a definite second line - congratulations!!!

Ooh @Summertime1992 that does look hopeful - make sure to do your first wee when you next test!!

Thanks all, I was a bit bummed about the chicken yesterday, but obviously feeling pretty good today! Just hope it sticks!

@Cluurr thanks hopefully it gets stronger

@Poppyismyfavourite Well again I have no patience and 3 unused frers in the house and bored so did one on an afternoon urine, I know given my period is not due until Tuesday I should have done EMU but it did show another faint line.

Now I get why people say just wait because now am like am I or arnt I arrh.

@Summertime1992 I'm so thrilled for you!!! And @Poppyismyfavourite - a line is a line! Congratulations to you both x

@Summertime1992 that is a strong positive for before AF