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 Mine is completely the same, I always want to talk about it, maybe too much, but I like to talk about random little things and he's always like let's talk about it when it's happening which realllly annoys me but I'm kinda glad he is like that because I'd never shut up about it otherwise or never switch off from it. We're due to fly 11 September 2021 and starting TTC in Feb. According to my Flo app, if I fell pregnant first cycle then I'd be 30 weeks were due to fly. It's only to Spain, I feel comfortable about it but @queenatom makes a good point, heaven forbid I went to labour there I'd hate that. We'd be fine but yeah not ideal is it? I've read loads online about women flying until quite late, I'll have to see what happens when I get to that point I guess. I just keep thinking I won't actually fall pregnant straight away? It could take a few months so don't want to delay it even more xx

We were going to start trying next year but now another wedding abroad means we have to postpone due to Zika Virus dangers, but it's such a relief to see everyone else planning so early! I was doing so much research as I wanted to be ready as soon as we started for next year

@DisneyPrincess37 where is the wedding? I don't think Zika virus is prevalent in many places anymore. I looked a few weeks ago as want to go to Carribbean/Mexico for honeymoon and will hopefully be pregnant

It’s in Jamaica, of what we have read most places don’t recommend getting pregnant within 3-6months of getting back. It probably wouldn’t be an issue but I’m an anxious person anyway, so too scared to risk it! I am so gutted though

@sunflowersaremyfav93 literally your post about finding the weight loss harder near period and being more broody could have been me! Our cycle times must be pretty similar as I have been the exact same this week! Exciticing about bringing forward ttc when are you planning to start ttc now?

Re travel for me Personally I can’t fly whilst pregnant as have a blood clotting condition but I think for most you can travel until quite late. Saying that not sure if the guidance would be different during covid? May be worth keeping assessing on that basis throughout as if there were quarantine restrictions imposed whilst out there could effect dh being at birth? Maybe me just overthinking everything covid related

@Lagirl20 welcome :) we may have end up delaying too if covid hits harder in the winter months as I’m high risk aswell and defo would like partner to be at scans etc if possible- so hard though as super impatient

@CookieMonster3001 Happy birthday for Friday! It’s so hard to stay motivated on the diet front well done on the running though!

@Lollipop87 having the same thoughts re September rather than October but DH is now wanting to wait longer if anything to see if the second wave hits. I would love to be pg by Christmas and have a little one by June. It’s mad isn’t it how you can’t just plan it that exactly as the chance is so low. Feel so lucky to have all you guys to chat to though :)

@stepmumSW5 I honestly hadn’t thought of my skin to be honest. That will be my google
Topic of this week :) how far in advance of ttc have you started the bio oil? My skin is very prone to stretch marks so such a good idea

@DisneyPrincess37 we went to Thailand in January and delayed due to zika risks on that basis. Although it is less prevalent now if it’s an at risk location however minimal drs still warn about the serious implications for baby. My dr said if we had both been to wait min 6 months as double the risk sadly.

My friends dr said to her that her and dh shouldn’t even have sex without a condom for 6 months after visiting a zika location as if one of you have it you can keep passing it to one another. She was so gutted as had booked for her honeymoon and didn’t realise until she went to get her vaccinations. Happy ending though as they tried 6 months after and now has a beautiful baby boy!

Ah all caught up now

For anyone who has/ is coming off the mirina coil I had mine taken out in Jan. Although my periods luckily returned straight away for anyone coming off it I have found the Flo app really really useful.

I have tracked straight away and cycle is finally starting to average out days wise which will make ovulation a lot easier to track. I don’t think I would have a clue if I hadn’t used it tbh.

Although we are planning to not put too much pressure on at the start With sticks etc and just use the ‘lots of sex’ method I think tracking approx dates will help to Atleast know roughly when to have even more ‘lots of sex’.

Sorry rambling- but would recommend the flo app

Hope you are all having lovely weekends x

@mackjm20 hello! I started this month at the and time I started TTc and taking vitamins. But I would have started it really had I known I would have my copper coil removed in June. It was something we had been planning but then decided to just do it as our plans as a family got really messy this year. Anyway I suggest Starting as soon as you start TTc or if you can 3-6 months before. There's nothing to lose from preparing your skin.

@mackjm20 honestly I have just been such a pig, I’m due on tomorrow but I think I’ll come on today, thank god! As soon as I come on my appetite goes back to normal. We’ve only bought it forward a month so starting in Feb now but only 6 months away rather than 7 so that makes me excited 😊. Yeah I know what you mean about the travel, you’re right I’ll just have to see what happens at the time I can’t miss the wedding being a bridesmaid and my bf is giving his sister away so it’s very special. Will have to see what happens.
How do you track your cycles? I really need to start, I used an OPK which gives you the two lines if you’re due to ovulate in 24-48hrs and it did that around the time my app told me I’d be ovulating but I still don’t know? I use the Flo app too and also have Ovia I heard good things about it but prob won’t use it properly until we start. When are you starting?

@stepmumSW5 think I’ll pop and get some bio oil this week :) that’s so exciting that you have already started ttc! Good luck :)

@sunflowersaremyfav93 I have too just wanted to eat the world. I’ve literally come on today thank god haha! The good thing with Spain is its close and to be fair the wedding would probably be covid dependent anyway which probably removes that from the equation:) Atleast it’s a short flight :) sounds so special and like you will have the most amazing time!

I am tracking using flo- I’m not 100% it gets the ovulation date right however atleast it gives me a guide of cycle length etc. I’m hoping to ‘just try’ at first rather than using the opks so have been tracking CM each month to try and get a guide of approx when the ovulation is. So much more to it than I ever could have predicted! I know the minute I use the opks I will be even more obsessed so current plan would be 6 months just not preventing and if that doesn’t catch start like really trying with opks etc. So good that your opk got it about right! The good thing with flo is that you can use the opk to test the theory that day rather than spending tonnes of money doing them all the time :)

Our initial plan was September start ttc- however with covid dh is more nervous as I have had a blood clot in the past so would need to be consultant lead as this is our 1st neither of us really know what to expect so covid adds to the concern of being in the hospital more- all being well if there is no second wave will be sept- nov start ttc. If there is a second wave I will be more likely to wait until just after my 30th in March- although god help this group if my obsession keeps growing haha!

Was there a particular reason for Feb for you guys? in my head the benefit to if it was next year is not having to hide it over Christmas!

[quote mackjm20]@sunflowersaremyfav93 literally your post about finding the weight loss harder near period and being more broody could have been me! Our cycle times must be pretty similar as I have been the exact same this week! Exciticing about bringing forward ttc when are you planning to start ttc now?

Re travel for me Personally I can’t fly whilst pregnant as have a blood clotting condition but I think for most you can travel until quite late. Saying that not sure if the guidance would be different during covid? May be worth keeping assessing on that basis throughout as if there were quarantine restrictions imposed whilst out there could effect dh being at birth? Maybe me just overthinking everything covid related

@Lagirl20 welcome :) we may have end up delaying too if covid hits harder in the winter months as I’m high risk aswell and defo would like partner to be at scans etc if possible- so hard though as super impatient

@CookieMonster3001 Happy birthday for Friday! It’s so hard to stay motivated on the diet front well done on the running though!

@Lollipop87 having the same thoughts re September rather than October but DH is now wanting to wait longer if anything to see if the second wave hits. I would love to be pg by Christmas and have a little one by June. It’s mad isn’t it how you can’t just plan it that exactly as the chance is so low. Feel so lucky to have all you guys to chat to though :)

@stepmumSW5 I honestly hadn’t thought of my skin to be honest. That will be my google
Topic of this week :) how far in advance of ttc have you started the bio oil? My skin is very prone to stretch marks so such a good idea

@DisneyPrincess37 we went to Thailand in January and delayed due to zika risks on that basis. Although it is less prevalent now if it’s an at risk location however minimal drs still warn about the serious implications for baby. My dr said if we had both been to wait min 6 months as double the risk sadly.

My friends dr said to her that her and dh shouldn’t even have sex without a condom for 6 months after visiting a zika location as if one of you have it you can keep passing it to one another. She was so gutted as had booked for her honeymoon and didn’t realise until she went to get her vaccinations. Happy ending though as they tried 6 months after and now has a beautiful baby boy![/quote]
Yeah I totally agree, it's not worth it for the sake of a year or so. Just gives me another year of research on babies etc! I'll be extra prepared

@DisneyPrincess37 100% it is super annoying though. My in-laws booked our trip to Thailand in 2019 and when they realised due to zika this meant no ttc until 2020 my mother in law was like shall we go to italy instead bless. It has taken the family pressure away for a year though :) it’s back now that it’s been 6 months though. Will be worth it as you will have such an amazing time :) x

Awhh that’s really sweet of them and I hope so! Good luck ttc and I’m glad you had a nice holiday and was worth it xx

Hello everyone! Can I join? I'm trying to get ready to TTC soon but need to loose at least 2 stone preferably 2 and half stone first! A few friends and colleagues have gotten pregnant around my weight and gained massively, not that's a problem but I want to try and be fit and healthy and in a good routine with eating healthier first!

Struggling to keep it up though. I did really well in lockdown and lost 10lbs (no takeaways, exercised daily, ate well etc) but now I'm back at work and everything is full on I've gained 5lbs again and can't find the motivated to organise myself!

Loving all the other tips from PP especially the skincare ones.

Evening all - hope you had good weekends? Got a bad case of the Sunday evening blues here. Good news though is that I had a temp spike last night so think that confirms ovulation on Friday/Saturday - hopefully tomorrow morning will show a similar result.

Welcome @zeerecords - losing some weight seems to be a common thread amongst us all! Do you have a date in mind to start trying?

Eeep it's been a very exciting weekend for us and hope it has been for everyone too. We've had an offer accepted on a house so we are super excited about that. If it goes through we should be able to stay ttc in October knowing we have somewhere to put a baby haha. All very exciting. Hopefully coil will come out the end of August. Its all a go for us.

Diets going well too.

Ah, @Bells3032, congratulations! How exciting! Fingers crossed for a smooth process.

Hi @all :) I‘ve been afk for the weekend visiting family and it was great to relax. Now back with sunday blues too @queenatom

Lot‘s to read here I‘m glad this thread is doing so well considering that it helps me keep my sanity lol

@Lollipop87 I didn‘t quite understand if you’ve convinced your husband to start early or if he now wants to wait even longer? Sorry maybe I misunderstood something :)

It was interesting to read all of your/your OH‘s opinions on COVID. It is something I think about sometime but I am expecting a second wave rather Nov-March than sep./oct (like the flue..)
This is why I‘m happy that we start TTC in late August because than by the time COVID hits again I‘m hopefully in my second trimester or late first. I would hate to be pregnant in my first weeks or last ones during a spike. BUT of course this is merely guesswork and a sensible and personal topic.

Anyway off to the happy stuff: @Bells3032 so happy for you! I love to even think about my future house..must be great to be planning and nesting :D

@stepmumSW5 Thank you so much for bringing up skincare. I love my Urea cream and use it on my dry skin. Whilst being skinny I have some stretchmarks (lol) don’t know why but might be prone to it and therefore thankful for your recommendation of bio oil. Will def buy that!

@sunflowersaremyfav93 I don’t know you of course but if this thread it any indicator you seem to be super organized and well aware of risks and possible outcomes so that you will make the right decision whether to fly or not when the time comes :)

Welcome to all the new ones.

I have to stick to a healthy diet and so lots of exercise this week to so maybe let’s make a pact for a healthy week and see what will be :)

@Nate1 me too but my skin is Mediterranean (medium tan) and its not very "flexible" which causes it to be more prone to stretch marks. The upside is this type of skin takes longer to age and get flaccid but it's important to look after it and keep it hydrated. Xx

@sunflowersaremyfav93

Hahah I know exactly what you mean! I managed to get my boyfriend to stop smoking when we started lockdown, saves a lot of money as well doesn't it!

And yes on the having a child before having in haha. We bought our first home together last last so we've been living together for just over a year now and he's the best but omg why don't they put the empty loo roll thing in the bin???

100% agree about the empty toilet roll tube I love my man to bits but I'd love it if he popped them in the recycling bin!!!!!

Hi everyone,
This thread is really interesting! My fiancé and I are getting married in October so I've come off Cerelle on Friday (2 days ago) so my body can 'get back to normal'. We're hoping to try properly to conceive after the wedding. I've just had my withdrawal bleed start today so I'm keen to see how my cycle goes, and whether it will get into a pattern any time soon.
I've ordered some vegan prenatal vitamins which I'm going to start on straightaway so my body is well prepared for when I conceive. I'm also going to cut down on caffeine and alcohol, and start eating healthier. My BMI is 'normal' but I'm trying to lose a little weight to fit into my wedding dress! The tips on here are really interesting, it's nice to know others are planning and preparing too

Alot of messages to catch up on

Skin is a very interesting issue, just recently got mine under control. Really hope pregnancy wont make it play up again. Had implant in my arm 3 years ago and it was the beginning of my skin issues. Hopefully we all get the pregnacy glow.

Had my first period after stopping pill this weekend which I'm happy about. Dont know how long my cycle is so Clue and Flo app is telling me 2 different days for most fertile. Alot people say go by the texture of your mucus or changes in it.

This will be officially our first month TTC, a May baby seems very appealing. But will try not to get our hopes up. Husband is so laid back, it's well for the men, a big decision for the woman. But one we are excited and ready for.

Alcohol @Amy929292 is one thing I prob should try cute down. But at the same time, it's nice to enjoy a glass of wine or 2 at the weekend before we do become pregnant and cant have any😉.

Gona start ovulation strips around 5 days before my most fertile day to see if I can see a pattern.

@nate1 Aw that’s very sweet of you, and you’re right, I think when the time comes I’ll do what I feel comfortable with (and what I’m allowed to do).

@amy929292 hahah yes!!! What is wrong with them 😂 and welcome to the thread, this started out as me just needing an outlet when I was needed to speak about it and like @nate1 said l, it def keeps my sanity too.

Morning :) after a few very busy weeks at work and totally neglecting the diet like many of you have said the lbs are creeping back on! Fully back on plan today 43lb to go to be at goal so let the running commence
AF is here so Atleast I don’t want to eat the world anymore lol x

I was neglecting the diet, but back on it as of Wednesday last week and I have lost 5lb this weigh in! Just shy of 2stone off now, and soooo soooo close to no longer being obese, just a couple of pounds to go! Hoping I can do it this week!

@wrensandrobins that’s amazing news well done you! You have done so well! I am currently 6lb from being ‘overweight’ instead of obese and 43lb from being healthy bmi (29lb down since March) but would love to get as much off as poss in the next 8-12 weeks before ttc (covid depending) so I have locked away all the goodies and hoping for a good result this week :) got to up the exercise again really but the weather has been so grim. How have you lost the weight are you following a plan? X