Anyone else thinking of starting TTC after Christmas?

[MsQueenInTheNorth]

It might be a bit early to start thinking about it, but I just thought I’d post and see! It will be interesting to hear if anyone else is thinking that far ahead and to hear what they’re doing. I’m trying to lose weight (I have a BMI of 29 at the moment), ideally 1.5 stone but if I can do a bit more then even better! I’m making a conscious effort to drink less too, although I’m not giving up completely for now. I’ve also started tracking my ovulation again (which I did before when I used Natural Cycles) so I have some more accurate data in my apps. I’m not expecting this thread to carry on until January (although who knows!) but I thought it would be good to check in and see if anyone else is as enthusiastic crazy as I am

Hi,

Yes me and my partner are going to start trying in January, waiting to save some pennies, and lose a bit of weight prebaby! Also hoping some of this pandemic craziness dies down!

Yes, my DH booked in for vasectomy reversal in September, all going well so hopefully come January we will be ttcing.

I am hoping to start ttc number 2 in jan/Feb need to save some money to cover maternity leave etc.

Not so much after Christmas, but looking to start TTC in October. Trying to lose some lockdown lbs before then as well, although it seems to be going in the opposite direction at the moment . Too much and

We were thinking of January too. I finish my mat leave at the end of August and I want to spend a decent amount of time back at work before leaving again.

I'm in a similar boat to you, after baby #1 I'm all about losing weight and regaining fitness.

Ohhh, this is exciting. I wasn’t sure anyone would reply this far in advance!

Does your husband have children already @IndieRo, if you don’t mind me asking? This (when it happens) will be my first, but will be number 3 for my boyfriend.

Too much and

Haha! I’m not too bad on the cake, but we do seem to have replaced going to the cinema, going out etc with buying too many takeaways. I am telling myself it’s supporting local businesses...

Those of you who haven’t mentioned this being a second baby, will it be your first?

Yes, it will be my first, I'm 32, I really want to be a mum and I'm so so excited to start trying! Being sensible and waiting, sticking to the plan!

How do you get on with natural cycles, we want to start using it initially as contraception from September but then to help us conceive from Jan?

It is very sensible! I really want to get down to a lower BMI, that’s my motivation. I don’t feel that big (I’m a size 12-14) but the scales have a different opinion! I’m 27 but my boyfriend is older so I don’t want too long as I have no idea how long it will take! We might not end up starting trying in January, but it feels like a good start.

I liked natural cycles, but I found the temperature bit of it to be quite a hassle and I was always a bit worried that it wouldn’t be accurate if I’d woken up in the night which I do quite a lot. I got some fairly accurate looking data from it, although I have regular periods which might make it easier. I think they’re doing 25% off at the moment with a free thermometer which is quite a good deal!

Thank you! That's helpful, I am willing to risk it I think because even if it does fail as contraception a baby is planned anyway!

Yes I scared myself a bit with the risks of a higher bmi in pregnancy so I'm losing to lower the risks, currently 32 down from 37 so making progress, but it's been hard! Not having a social life has definitely helped!

@MsQueenInTheNorth, We have three children together, aged 8,10 and 12. Though we were finished but broody the last couple of years so starting again How old are your dp children?

@MuddyJenni I think that’s what it’s best used for to be honest. I was never really brave enough to use it ‘properly’ as it would have been too soon for us. I think it’s about 98% effective with perfect use but only 93% effective with typical use, which was probably what I was doing. That was just a bit low for me at the time!

That is a really impressive drop, well done! I hope that doesn’t sound patronising, I am genuinely impressed. I lose weight so slowly because I’m not brilliant at sticking to it

@IndieRo Oh lovely! Sorry, I don’t know why I assumed it was your first, there was actually nothing in your post that suggested it was! They are 6 and 10
Are you doing anything special in preparation between now and January?

@MsQueenInTheNorth thank you, not patronising at all :) this is the only time I have stuck at it for a while and I think it's because I have an end goal in sight!

@MuddyJenni that’s great, hopefully I will be the same! I lost a couple of stone while at uni and got down to a nice ‘easy’ size 10, but it’s slowly crept back on again! Will this be your partner’s first child too?

@MsQueenInTheNorth changed my username! Yes it will be, has has lost a child in the past with a previous partner but won't discuss it.

Now thinking about coming off the pill earlier, I had three migraines today and they have increased in frequency since I swapped to the pill so I'm sure it's making them worse, thinking about using condoms until September, and then natural cycles when it won't be too early if that doesn't work for us

I’d like too hop on this thread too if that’s alright!

I’m 26 (27 in January) and planning on starting TTC baby number 1 in December/January after I finish the last of my remaining pill packets.

Between now and then planning on doing some redecoration to the house while there are no other priorities. Maybe a holiday if COVID allows?

It’s nice to find a thread with people thinking along the same timeline. I feel a bit too prepared/broody and its all I can think about at the moment! Sometimes December feels very far away, have to keep reminding myself it’s only 5 months!

*to not too, should always re-read before posting!

@wrensandrobins I’m sorry to hear of your partner’s loss before, that must be really difficult.

Sounds like a plan to me! I don’t get on very well with hormonal contraception so I haven’t been on the pill for about 5 years. I’m much happier and haven’t (yet ) had a condom break or anything. I think the pill can cause migraines, a friend of mine had to stop taking it for that reason?

@CinnamonSunsets hello! Yes of course. I did wonder if I was being a bit too prepared so I’m pleased that other people have joined. I would love a ‘big’ holiday beforehand too, but we’ll see! Are you doing anything special to prepare?

@CinnamonSunsets I know exactly what you mean, I'm so broody it is all I think, talk and even dream about 😂 it's nice to be able to chat virtually to others in the same boat. My friends just aren't in that same headspace as me!

@wrensandrobins I completely agree! Most of my friends aren’t anywhere near yet either, so it’s really nice to speak to others in a similar position. I’m a midwife as well, so surrounded by families having babies which doesn’t help!

@MsQueenInTheNorth I’ve started taking preconception vitamins just in case we decide to try earlier! I don’t think we will but decided there’s no harm in taking them now. I’d also like to get a few more pennies together to help with mat leave/future childcare expenses etc.

I’ve been looking into natural cycles as well. I keep swinging between coming off the pill sooner and giving my body time to regulate and to track some cycles, but then thinking no don’t worry, just wait until December, try not to overthink it all and just see what happens. Still haven’t made a decision about this yet.

it's nice to be able to chat virtually to others in the same boat. My friends just aren't in that same headspace as me!

I feel the same! All of my friends know that I’m broody (I have been for years, to be honest) but telling someone I know that trying after Christmas is potentially the plan makes it all seem very real! Plus if anything changes and we decide to put it off for a bit longer we have to explain that too.

@CinnamonSunsets Yes, I’d like to save some money too. I think my work only offer the basic maternity pay so it would be good to have some extra in savings. It’s so lovely that you’re a midwife; it was the job that my mum always wanted to do before life got in the way. But no, I can’t imagine it helps the broodiness!

How is everyone getting on?

I have been reading the impatient women's guide to getting pregnant, and have now added calcium and fish oil supplements to my multivitamin that has folic acid!

Managed to gain half a pound this week which has made me redouble my efforts in the weight loss- I only have 6.5 pounds until I'm no longer obese! So I am trialing fasting this week 16:8!

Also going to try and beat last weeks steps! I have a full on social week this week with meeting friends and family in the evenings, so I am going to try and work around it all! Tonight I have a Wi meeting and we are doing a live bakealong- will have a bit of cake it would be rude not to! But the rest of the cake will be going to the partner!!

It’s so nice to see other people thinking this far ahead - I was feeling a bit crazy thinking this far in advance!

I’m currently on the pill, planning to come off at the end of the summer and then start trying in December/January after (hopefully!) a few ‘real’ periods. @wrensandrobins - I have also just read that which made me feel I was doing something.

Anyone got any tips for not obsessing too much?! I know it’s not too long and also that it’s a sensible decision for my husband and I to wait, but I can’t stop thinking about babies! @MsQueenInTheNorth my friends are not either - I haven’t told anyone in the real world! Not sure if this would help or make me feel more pressure...

@Morningdaffodils

No advice here: I am definitely obsessing!

My partner thinks I shouldn't be on all the vitamins and things and that it's too early because we aren't trying till December/ Jan but I don't see any harm in getting good nutrition in advance, and I am currently dieting to get closer to a healthier bmi, so I could well be lacking those nutrients anyway, even though I do try to get a balanced diet, it is tricky on a calorie restriction!

We are coming off the pill at the end of this packet in two weeks and using condoms/ natural cycles once my cycle settles, as I'm getting terrible side effects from the pill!