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 🙈?

Hi @Cheekypeach yes the OPKs. No I don't mind at all im 39 will be 40 in may x

So to sum it up..geriatric 😅

Just found this - it sounds quite common Mrs G and not a sign of menopause!

www.miracare.com/blog/lh-surge-before-period/

🙏🙏 you're a star. Put the tests away till next month! Thank you @Cheekypeach xx I normally just use them a couple of days after peak but I'm off work this week and a little bored.

[quote Shedgal]@PinkButtercups hey am about to start trying for baby number 2. I am taking folic acid atm but last time I didn't start until I was a few weeks [/quote]
Ah okay thank you.

I'm definitely going to get some this week!

@PinkButtercups it’s because folate is very important in reducing the risk of your child developing spina bifida, when I had my coil out the gynae said that our diets sometimes don’t have enough of the folic acid so three months before try to start taking it. However, there are many happy surprise children and mum didn’t take it or wasn’t to know and their baby was unaffected. Hope that makes sense!

Yes it does thank you @NarnieJoy.
I knew what it was used for just stupid enough to think I didn't need to take it asap.

Everyday is a school day for me apparently 😂.

Thank you xx

Not stupid pink at all! It is disgraceful imo how poorly the need for folic acid before TTC is advertised. I fortunately used to work with neurologists so was well aware and have taken it for a year beforehand both times. However it shouldn't be something that only those around medical people know. There needs to be a massive awareness campaign.

Wow I really never knew how important folic acid could be! Definitely need to go get some now. Every day really is a school day. Would have been beneficial to learn these things in school. With that being said sex Ed was non existent at my school. Better taking it a little late than never

@Vasectomyreversalhopeful

Not stupid pink at all! It is disgraceful imo how poorly the need for folic acid before TTC is advertised. I fortunately used to work with neurologists so was well aware and have taken it for a year beforehand both times. However it shouldn't be something that only those around medical people know. There needs to be a massive awareness campaign.

Wow, thank you! I was actually going to come back on ask if it's safe to take even if you find out you're not pregnant but can see that's answered my question.

Thank you x

There’s also quite strong evidence to say taking a prenatal vitamin before ttc reduces the likelihood of the baby having ASD, which I found surprising.

Yes absolutely safe Pink to take the standard dose whether pregnant or not :)

I saw some research that showed it can reduce risk of premature birth too.

@FourOclock I’m taking seven seas pregnancy plus (as I’m breastfeeding still). Been taking it since my LO was born so is costing me a fortune at £15 a box.

@PinkButtercups I believe they recommend taking folic acid for a couple of months before TTC if possible. Obviously not always possible as people fall pregnancy unexpectedly. And agreed @Vasectomyreversalhopeful it is shocking the lack of information available about the importance. It’s only when you do your own research you can find it which shouldn’t be the case at all.

Are people using sperm friendly lube? We used conceive+ the first time and got pregnant the second month after starting to use it. May just be coincidence but I’ll be using it again this time

@Cheekypeach

There’s also quite strong evidence to say taking a prenatal vitamin before ttc reduces the likelihood of the baby having ASD, which I found surprising.

This is interesting, I took prenatal vitamins for a year before conceiving my first and he has ASD. Only took them the month I conceived with my second and he doesn't have ASD 😅

@tryingtryinggone we aren't using sperm friendly lube yet, I did use Conceive+ with my first as we got to the point of trying anything we could, but trying not to spend too much money on lots of different things this time, will give it a few months and then maybe get some if no luck

Hi all! Am I OK to join this thread at such a late stage?! Aiming for a May start on TTC like many others (am currently on holiday in a country with Zika risk, hence the wait in line with government guidelines) but soooo excited! Will be first time TTC and nervous as I have a very variable cycle (between 27-45 days).

Any first timer tips for people with irregular cycles?!

Hi @Superstorefan123 welcome! I also have cycles similar to yours... current variance is 25-57 days and will be trying for our first this year so no advice but keen to hear what any others say!

@Superstorefan123 oh where are you on holiday ? I was in Mexico last month but we're trying straight away as there's no evidence that Zika virus was in cancun the past 2 years as there's no reported outbreaks. Also both myself and OH managed to avoid any bites somehow. I'm usually a magnet however our resort had great mosquito measures in place. After doing research we found from the information we had that the risk was so minimal we just decided to try straight away. I know some people may condemn us however my doctor said she agrees that there is such a minimal risk which put our mind at ease

Hi @DanisEndo thanks for the lovely welcome! So stressful with a variable cycle, but I hope I am ovulating (been off the pill for years and get quite obvious signs like cervical mucus etc!) so fingers crossed for both of us.

Interesting in views on whether to track ovulation properly or not - on the one hand don’t want to miss the opportunity but equally don’t want to add unnecessary stress at the early stages.

Hi @lj2022 - we are currently travelling round South America (Amazon jungle etc) so I think the risk is probably quite a bit higher - would maybe think differently if we’d been in cancun or similar :)

Good luck!

Lots of newbies... think I've added everyone to the list but if I've missed anyone please let me know!

January
Worryant #2 (38)
OCM19 #2 (31)
Bear486 #1
Cavylady #1 (33)

February
Nyxxie #1 (34)
QueenBee22 #2 (31)
Lj2022 #1 (27)
Trixie22 #3 (25)
Four0clock #3 (32)
MrsGrealish
PinkButtercups

March
Cheeky peach #2 (29)
Hevann #1 (35)
Gizzy93 #1 (29)
DanceWithYourBalloon #3 (37)

April
HippeePrincess #3 (34)
Dreamingof3 #3 (34)
Jennifer89 #1 (32)
Babyjellyfish #2
Tryingtryinggone #2 (27)
LucyLoopyLu #1 (33)
PrettyPolly92 #1

May
WingingIt09 #3 (30)
Notjustafurmum #1 (28)
Vasectomyreversalhopeful #2 (33)
Summerbreeze111 #1 (31)
Amber17 #1 (33)
Springblooms08 #1 (29)
BellaNutella88 #2
Superstorefan123 #1
_
June_
Blueberrymacaron #1 (30)
DanisEndo #1 (26)
Sunshine0987 #1 (30)

July
Narniejoy #1 (25)_

August

September _
NotARegularMum #1 (32)

Those who are trying, where are you up to in your cycles? Have we got any TWW going on? Soooo many fingers crossed for hopefully 11 BFP's !

Wow the thread is really growing, Hi to all the new joiners!

I can't remember who asked now, but we're waiting for lots of boring and practical reasons, need to move, waiting to be eligible for decent mat pay, waiting for DP to pass driving test etc etc.

Is anyone else here trying with a new partner after having older children from a previous relationship, or is it just me?

@Superstorefan123 wow what an amazing holiday. Yep think I'd be the same as you if I had been anywhere else! At least you've got time now to regulate your cycles etc x

@HippeePrincess this will be my first but my husband has older children from a previous relationship. His youngest is 21 & not long had a baby boy herself, just makes me even more broody he's gorgeous. I've been in their lives since the girls were 4&5 so they very much feel like my own. It will be very strange to actually have my own baby if that makes sense I missed that stage with my step children x