Preparing to TTC in 2022

[WingingIt09]

DH has agreed to starting to TTC baby #3 in April/May. We already have a 2 daughters (age 4 and 2). I'm so excited to start trying! I think it's going to be a long wait until we can start actively trying!

Starting to think about things to do to help prepare my body. I'm currently on the progesterone only pill so thinking of when to stop it. I have 5 days left in this packet and then one packet left after that in my current prescription. Don't know whether to stop when I finishes this packet or at the end of Jan after my next packet. Any experiences of how long it takes cycle to regulate after the pill?

I need to try and eat healthier as I've been so bad recently with Christmas but I'm a healthy weight so not too worried there. Also ordered some TTC vitamins which I remember from previous pregnancies is good to take 3 months before TTC.

Anything else I could do? Is there anyone else who will be starting to try later in the year and so excited that you're already on here 🙈?

Thank you @WingingIt09, fingers crossed your AF arrives soon so you can start tracking.

I’ve been having really weird dreams the last week or so, I’m putting it down to the change in hormones but is anyone else noticing weird changes since stopping hormonal birth control?

@OCM19 yes I've been having rather weird vivid dreams since stopping the pill 😅

@WingingIt09 so glad it’s not just me! It’s funny how the body changes isn’t it?! Hopefully it will pass soon 🙃

@OCM19 yes I've been having very vivid dreams too! Although I've also stopped drinking so it may just be that I'm sleeping better/remembering them more 🤷🏻‍♀️

@Worryant keep us updated with how you are feeling and symps, have you got things to look forward to, to make it go quicker?

@OCM19 exciting, they do say at school all it takes is one sperm! Would you recommend the digi ovulation strips?

Thanks so much for checking in @narniejoy.

I wasn't due to ovulate for another 7-14 days but got a flashing smiley this morning! Since I got my covid booster I seem to be ovulating earlier. Hopefully I will get a peak soon.

Thanks @NarnieJoy! So far no symptoms, have a spotty chin and get teary at telly. Not sure if they’re going to be pregnancy symptoms or not! Not knowing I was pregnant last time means I have no frame of reference. Normal week really, work part time but my three year old keeps us busy - birthday party today and day out to a London park tomorrow so trying to keep my days filled!
How are you doing? Am I right that you’re waiting to summer to start?

@NarnieJoy, urm, I’ve found mine a bit temperamental and now the digital stick seems to be broken as it’s stuck on my peak smiley from yesterday morning so I can’t test again!

I’ve had some very faint pink spotting this morning, I’ve googled and it appears ovulation spotting is normal. This is going to be a long TWW! I hope everyone else is doing ok.

@NarnieJoy I’ve just seen on the clear blue website that the ovulation smiley will show for 48hrs after it first appears so you can’t test for 48hrs, it’s not broken after all!. I guess I will wait until the next cycle to start re-testing.

@Worryant sounds like you have stuff planned, I’ve got a holiday booked for my first tww in the summer, so hoping that will help me not to google! Yes we aren’t trying until the summer because of work commitments (living vicariously through those TTCing now haha)

@OCM19 good to know it’s not broken! Looks like you must have peaked then. 🤞🤞 for the next two weeks

@QueenBee22 does flashing mean a good time to begin bd?? X

So exciting that some of us are now officially trying! Definitely keep us posted with any symptoms and of course BFP🤞🤞🤞

I gave up with the ovulation tests and I'm just waiting for af to show up now, I may then test for ovulation next cycle and see if I can figure out roughly when it's happening 🤔

@Dreamingof3 I also gave up. I carried on temping and FF seems to suggest I ovulated on the 25th but I doubt it. Think it's been skewed by sleepless nights as DD1 has chicken pox 😫 and by having a few birthday drinks the other day! I'm just waiting for AF to show up now (surely it must come soon since I haven't had a bleed since coming off the pill 4 weeks ago...)

Does anyone else ever have ttc wobbles just before doing it? Or is it just me I’m probably just a nervous nelly!

Just having a last minute panic about how we will cope, money, time etc. And also going back to sleepless nights and nappies - DD is nearly potty trained now and sleeps through, so the thought of going back is a bit daunting. I know a second baby is what I really want long term, but I’m such a worrier.

@NarnieJoy it means there has been a rise in estrogen which can happen before the LH surge (which is the static smiley) which happens before ovulation. Hopefully I will get the static smiley soon!

@narniejoy I've just done my first month ttc with the digi strips and I got 4 days of flashing smileys then it went static the afternoon of the 5th day, however I forgot to test that morning so it would probably have been static sooner. I've read of some people getting 10+ days of flashing smileys so I think there must be a broad range of what's 'normal' 😊.

Just in the middle of my first TWW now and it's hard! Not sure we caught my most fertile days this time round, AF due next weekend!

@Cheekypeach all the time! I have thought many times WTH are we doing trying have a third baby. The world is definitely built for families of 4, a family of 5 means we need a new car, a bigger house (although we would have wanted that anyway), holidays/days out become more tricky and more expensive. And 3 is a lot... they'll outnumber us 😂🙈some days 2 feels like a lot! HOWEVER despite all that DH and I just don't feel our family is complete without a third baby (we're both one of three) and would always regret not going for one, so despite all the reasons we can list on the negatives.... for us they don't out weigh the positives. We may be mad but TTC baby #3 is round the corner and I'm excited as well as nervous!

@WingingIt09 this is absolutely us! Particularly on a bad day where the girls have run me ragged 😅 I think what on earth are we doing even thinking of a third...but I think I'd always regret not going for it. I just don't feel done (I'm one of 3, oh is one of 2) and I worry if we wait too long it'll become more difficult

@Dreamingof3 yes when they've driven me crazy all day or when one of them is poorly (like now) I think I can't cope with 2 what makes me think I can cope with 3!? But I just can't picture my family as complete without 3 kids 🤷🏻‍♀️ actually what I see anytime I think of my complete family is 3 girls 😂 poor DH!

@Cavylady @QueenBee22 thanks for the info, I’ll keep it stored up for when I am thinking of what to do with regards to testing. The exciting thing is that it gives you a little boost that you might have caught and in with a chance! Keep positive ladies 🙏 for BFPs

@Cheekypeach absolutely, you are not alone! I think it's natural to think everything through.

I've been having quite noticeable cramping on my left side since ovulation. I know it's normal but I've never had this before. It's lasted 2 days so far. I'm going to try not to symptom spot over the next 2 weeks but it's going to be hard not to!

Hope everyone else had a nice weekend. It's Feb tomorrow so getting closer for those waiting to start their TTC journey

I'm just curious for those that have stopped the pill. Which one were you on?

I was on Cerelle for 9 years without a period & microgynon for 10 years prior to that where I had a break & still had a period.

I stopped taking my pill 2 weeks ago & I am still waiting for my withdrawal bleed. I had cramps a few days after but nothing since and then on Friday my boobs started to feel really heavy and so sore. (they're not that big! Lol!) they have been painful all weekend.

Is anyone else experiencing or have experienced the same symptoms? x

@hevann I was on microgynon. I had my withdrawal bleed straight away but I know it can take some time. I haven’t had any sore boobs but have had a lot of cramping, which I think is normal around ovulation. Are you tracking your ovulation at all? Xx

@OCM19 I've been using ovulation tests but all still negative. I was hoping it might be a symptom before my period. I haven't had one for so many years I can't remember what it's like before. x

Phew so not just me!

I have a feeling I will have to delay until April/May though as I don’t think my blood results will be good enough to start in March. We’ll see!