Preconception planning - anyone want to join?

[sunflowersaremyfav93]

Hello!

I've been reading loads on the importance of pre-conception nutrition and preparing your body. Some say 3 months before and I've seen some that say 6 months before.

I find myself trawling through threads on Mumsnet but wondered if there were any ladies planning to start TTC in the next few months and wanted a forum to chat about ways to prepare / excitement of it all etc.

I often find myself going on to my bf and mum and they're like ok ok! 😂

@Lollipop87 wait till you get to the bit about tipping the odds to one sex or another!

Hi everyone

I've finally stopped bleeding so I'm really optimistic it was just ovulation bleeding.

I have however started imagining symptoms. I don't know how to stop obsessing over them.

Getting feverish every afternoon, my nose is super blocked, heartburn early evening... All that the past 4-5 days.

I'm going crazy... When is it OK to take a test do you think?

How interesting, @Lollipop87 - as you say, maybe it just takes time for the lining to build up. Mine is definitely a little lighter than before.

I think we've all had the same idea - I am also reading the Impatient Woman's Guide!

@stepmumSW5 I’m guessing you mean a pregnancy test and not an ovulation test?? Some you can do I think 4 days before your period is due but I think those are the expensive ones! Otherwise I think you need to wait until you’ve missed a period i.e. the day after your period would be due. I think this is why women complain about the 2 week wait, because it’s agonising waiting to find out!! Fingers crossed

I've just bought the impatient women's guide as well!

Hello to people who have just joined!

And update- I have my gynaecologist appointment for 25 Aug about my septate uterus, this is the NHS referral so fingers crossed I get some comfort from that. My bfs mum was telling me that women it's easily treatable so feeling lots better.

I've got myself in a habit it getting a coffee before I start work at home in the mornings, do you think it's terrible having one cappuccino a day?

Hope you're all well xx

@Lollipop87

I bought the ClearBlue 6 days early one and can't wait to use it! I'm so anxious that I think it's causing me symptoms. Anyway, hoping we all get our BFPs soon and may the TWW be gentle on us (and quick!).

@sunflowersaremyfav93 I don't think so, I think the amount of coffee recommended when trying to conceive and falling pregnant is around 200mg, a instant coffee is 63, and a single shot cappuccino is 77mg so I think you are fine to carry that on!

@sunflowersaremyfav93 Good news about the referral, hopefully you'll get the comfort you are hoping for from this.

I hope one cappuccino a day won't do any harm, I am on many more than that! I'm not too concerned about caffeine, figure I'll try and taper down gradually once I get a bit closer to trying but I've got more important things to give up/cut down on as a priority. I might try and get my hands on some decent decaff beans to make the process a little easier...

That’s great news about your gynaecologists appointment @sunflowersaremyfav93. Fingers crossed!

It would be fine to have a daily cappuccino if you were pregnant (especially if it’s from a sachet), so it will be absolutely fine in the pre conception stages. You might be able to get decaf ones if it makes you feel better though?

Thanks ladies, it’s one of those from the costa express machines at my local petrol station, I don’t have any other caffeine than that but maybe I’ll just limit to two a week or something?

@sunflowersaremyfav93 I am keeping one dose of coffee per day and the rest of the day I have decaf or herbal tea without caffeine. I've always read that one coffee a day is fine, but it may depend on each person's fertility situation.

@stepmumSW5 I stick to decaf for the rest of the day too, I'm sure it's ok and I'm just over thinking it. Don't want to risk being so strict with myself I end up not falling pregnant because I've stressed myself out too much.

@sunflowersaremyfav93 good news about the appointment :) ! Fingers crossed they can help and/or set your mind at ease.

I switched to decaf but I probably am closer to ttc than some of you and I have a friend who drank one cup of regular coffee per day and everything was fine. So I think whatever relaxes you is fine. For some it’s quitting for some carrying on. :)
And I also bought the book :D thanks

@stepmumSW5 fingers crossed for you :)

@sunflowersaremyfav93 that's great news about your appointment...not too long to wait with especially for NHS. Hopefully that will ease your anxiety a little. I really wouldn't worry about one coffee a day either.
I think I'm going to need to buy this impatient guide too. I had a slighter stronger line on my OPKs yesterday so was hoping it was building up but then today... nothing! Any one else had that?

@nate1 @butterfly5291 even having the appointment booked has made me feel better, will keep you updated on what happens. 🥰
Oh yes this book is brilliant already, I’ve only a few pages in and it’s like you’re cutting to a friend who has been there before and knows exactly how you feel so I’m pleased I downloaded it!

The OPK I bought from Sainsburys gives two lines when you’re 24-48hrs before ovulation and it gave me a line sat night so it ended up being the same as my app which is good and I have the ovulation cramps and CM I usually get today so that’s reassuring. That’s odd tho I don’t understand much about them, does that mean your LH phase is short?

@sunflowersaremyfav93 so glad you got your appointment, and the book! I even read some in my lunch break, it’s such an easy read and I just wanna know more! One thing that confuses me is she recommends fish oil (and we already had some in the cupboard so I took one today) but I know you’re not supposed to take them once you’re actually pregnant as there’s too much vitamin A. The bit that confuses me is she talks about the vitamins etc. building up in your body, so does that not mean the vitamin A from the fish oil builds up? In which case you’d think you shouldn’t take it before TTC?? I don’t get it!

@stepmumSW5 ooh I didn’t realise there was a 6 days early one, when will you be able to take it??

@Lollipop87 - I think that the risk of fish oils are specifically around cod liver oil, as its the liver that contains Vitamin A. If you take a specific Omega 3 supplement which isn't a liver oil then my understanding is that this should be fine. If in doubt though, I'd just skip the supplement and maybe try and get more (low mercury!) fish in your diet.

@Lollipop87 I think in the 18th if all is right with my calendar. I keep getting flashing smileys but never saw a static one. I'm starting to fear I didn't ovulate. But I had that supposed "ovulation bleeding".. I'll try not to overthink and in the meantime baby dance!

Is anyone avoiding exercise? I usually do HIIT and core type work outs a couple of times a week but I’ve been terrified to in case it has a negative effect!

I’m exercising more @maloney123, but then we’re not trying at the moment. This is more in preparation as I want to be as fit as possible for pregnancy and labour! The NHS website has some quite useful guidelines on exercise during pregnancy, if that helps?

My understanding is that it’s generally only really intense amounts of exercise (bordering on professional athlete levels) that affect periods and fertility and that exercise in general is a good thing. I’m very much not a doctor though!

Enjoying the book over here with a cup of decaf and dark chocolate :)

@maloney123 I‘m doing HIIT sessions too but 15-20min twice a week max. Not because I think it‘s wrong to do it more often but because my muscles are sore two days afterwards :D. I agree with @MsQueenInTheNorth that it‘s not likely that non athletes can overdo it but that’s just what I heard. :)

@Nate1 @MsQueenInTheNorth thank you both! I think I probably need to stop over thinking so much. We’re going away in a couple of weeks so I’d ideally like to be doing my work outs until then !

I think exercise is fine like the other say, as long as you don't over do it. If anything it's probably beneficial- helps manage stress and keeps your active and fit.
These days at home, working drag so badly sometimes. I think i need to shake up my routine a bit. How is everyone else coping working from home?

@JamesZebra I have good days and bad days on the WFH front. It's better when I'm busy, when it's slow the time really drags and I resent having to be sat at my desk when I could be doing other things. I think doing what you can to shake up your routine is a good thing - I've started trying to get out for a walk at lunch and tomorrow I'm actually going in to the office for the first time since early March, just for a change of scenery. I'm weirdly excited about the prospect!

@queenatom that sounds like a good plan. Work is strictly out of bounds at the mo so I can't do that. Would love to just go sit in a cafe and get on with some work but that's not possible either. I think a walk would do me the world of good.