What do I need to do in the months before TTC?

[OrangeSnorkel]

I know it is an obvious question - come off birth control and let my cycle settle and then get trying. I am planning to TTC next year. Will have just turned 30, married, career and finances are in a good place for it.

But I would love some more detail from experience on how long before TTC to come off the pill, how did you track your cycle, did you track it very closely or just roughly, what else did you do (e.g. folic acid/alcohol/exercise?)? What else do I need to think about?

Do I need to go to the doctor before? Are there any tests of jabs I should make sure I have had?

dont need to do anything, some people fall pregnant from missing one pill- you wont know your fertility until you try.

Only think i would say is know your maternity pay cover from work, so the cost isnt a surprise.

Hiya, good luck in your ttc journey!

Couple of bits of advice from me (13-14months in):

1. Great if you can be your healthiest self in lead up, but no great pressure except for stopping smoking if you do. GP advised me to start taking Folic Acid supplement, which I did for a little bit before starting.

2. You don't need to go to GP unless you have an medical conditions or medication which you think might be problematic/need managing alongside TTC or pregnancy. I had one to discuss MH/current medication, and in that meeting they said no harm having a rubella immunity blood test done, just cos we couldn't find my vaccination records, however I don't think this is normal practice.

3. Biggest bit of advice: enjoy yourself now over next few months, and mentally prepare yourself for things to perhaps take longer than you hope. I hope it doesn't, but I was not psychological prepared for this, I was pretty confident I would conceive within first 6 months. Honestly, it's tough when that doesn't happen.

You can come off BC whenever you want - some people cycles return straight away, some take months, there's sadly no way of knowing in advance. If you'd be ready to be pregnant, come off it.

Tracking wise: I've tracked with OPKs and Basal Body Temp from the start. I've found it really interesting and empowering to have that info, although I am planning on stopping tracking for a couple of months.

If you really want to get into the sciencey tracking stuff, I recommend Taking Charge of Your Fertility. I also enjoyed The Impatient Women's Guide to Getting Pregnant.

Good luck!