Preparing to TTC in 2023

[DanisEndo]

Hi,

I'm part of a lovely thread which was started in 2021 for those planning to start TTC in 2022 and it was such a supportive group! we've now seen lots of positives and given each other a lot of support and tips through ups and downs.

I'm now 'pausing' TTC until after my wedding in 2023 and thought it'd be nice to start up a similar thread to see if there is anyone else now prepping and getting excited for next year!

On the last thread everyone introduced themself by saying their age, what they're trying for and when they plan on starting - I'll then keep a list up to date and post so everyone can easily see others who are at the same stage as them!

I'll go first:

Age: 27
TTC no: 1
Starting: Sep 23

Between now and then I'm going to be taking folic acid, try and loose some lbs to get closer to a healthy BMI, save some money in a baby pot and enjoy some 'baby free' activities (i.e., wine, gin, sushi and surfing!). I have endometriosis and PCOS so going to try and get my periods more regular and pain management via diet.

No new vitamins or anything like that. I've got a bit of cold now but nowhere near when I think I might have ovulated.

I'm sure it'll be fine. I've given up hope that it's anything other than a fluke and we'll just start properly again in January.

What is everyone planning on doing? Tracking or not tracking? Any particular strategies to increase chances?

Hi @Firsttimetrying2022

I am a bit early to start thinking of tracking etc as I'm not planning to start trying till the second half of 2022.

But in terms of strategies these are the things I'm planning to do, and perhaps I suggest trying, as the way I see it, even if it does not have an impact on fertility, it puts you in better standing to be healthy through the pregnancy and have a speedier recovery, they are not particularly extreme measures to take so I don't think there's any risk of being seen as neurotic or obsessive, just some reasonable steps to take.

I preface this by saying, you are still very early into trying, and statistically, it does not often happen straight away, so there is most likely nothing wrong, you may just be going through a glitchy couple of months.

1.) Getting a full bloods profile, there is quite a lot of evidence out there that things like b12, b6 ferritin, vitamin D deficiencies can reduce fertility, and lead to an increase chance of pregnancy complications. I would always request the results to analyse yourself, as the NHS / UK standards on what is acceptable is quite poor, for example, a ferritin level of 14 is classed as "within range" when really, a woman of childbearing age should have ferritin of 80 plus. Most of these things can be sorted through supplements and diet.

2.) Working on reducing inflammation in the body, again, there is evidence that some fertility issues is caused by autoimmunity issues in the uterus. This one is probably a bit far-fetched, but again, no harm in considering it. But I will work on a lot of lifestyle things to reduce stress/inflammation in my body, and I will try to follow a Mediterranean diet, avoid inflammatory foods, and eat more foods with antioxidants. Lots of berries, fish, avocado, nuts etc.

Apart from that, assuming everything is fine with my bloods, I plan on just taking prenatal vitamins and folic acid, and apparently grapefruit juice is meant to be good but I don't know if that's just an old wives tale! I like grapefruit juice so I may incorporate a glass of it a day into my routine.

I want to say “I’ll be relaxed” but I know I’m a type A planner and will be probably tracking and working myself up over it which will do nothing for my stress levels (or regularity of period which I’ve only just got regular through acupuncture!)

First few months I hope I’ll just try and DTD every day or so around when I get egg white mucus…

Great suggestion on getting your bloods done. I've got an unrelated general check up in January which involves getting bloods done so will definitely ask to see the results

A bit late to the party but joining too! 28 and TTC no.1

Had my implant out in July but found out I didn't have Rubella antibodies so needed to have another course of MMR before TTC. Been cycle tracking and using opks for a few months to get familiar with my cycle to give me something focus on while we waited

AF due 21st December, so officially TTC from around NYE

Welcome Toads :)

Have an initial discussion appointment booked with one of the clinics for the 17th January.

Is anyone else scared it’ll take forever? I have always irrationally worried about being infertile as being a mum has mattered so much to me all my life! Always had such strong maternal instincts. I believe I ovulate regularly but also worry I have some deficiencies in my diet or health condition that I don’t know about, and that TTC will take months and months! Don’t know if these are normal thoughts ):

@happyfeet5 I think those are normal thoughts I had those and still do very regularly. I read on a lot of forums women having those same thoughts. TTC isn’t an easy journey for many people and I’m sure as the months go on they all have those kind of thoughts. I never ever thought I would get pregnant but I did (ended in a MC) then I thought I wouldn’t after that but I did (ended in another MC) so I’m hopeful it will happen again and this time it will stick.

ovulating regularly is a good start though you just have to try and be as positive as possible

Hi everyone,

Could I please join too? :) We are going to start TTC in January 2023. I’m due to ovulate around New Years Eve, AF arrived today.

Age: 25
Baby number 1.

We’ve just been using the withdrawal method for the last year or so but are ready to try. Just so nervous as I have convinced myself it will take a really long time!

I feel the same way and the longer it goes on the harder I'm finding it but I'm going to use the new year to try and reset a little. Trying to remind myself that even if there is something wrong there are loads of things that can be done

Welcome summer

it is very normal to overthink TTC. Remember that 4-6 months is the average and up to a year is completely normal.

DH woke up this morning and now wants to go for a vasectomy reversal as it is much cheaper and means a natural TTC so much easier on my body. Now to contact the reversal clinics!

Hello ladies,

Hope everybody is keeping well. I’m feeling really sorry for myself as I’ve caught Covid and had to cancel a couple of pre-Christmas do’s that I was really looking forward to 😥Really hope Covid doesn’t affect me TTC in January!

I’ve been taking inofolic alpha regularly (to improve regularity of periods) and Pregnacare conception max but I haven’t had a period since late October and no idea what’s going on! I ovulated last week (finally) so presumably AF is due in another week or so.

I get really frustrated and sad with PCOS as my periods are all over the place which makes it so difficult to plan TTC 😭

Does anybody with PCOS have tips on how to get a regular cycle, other than trying to lose weight? Does acupuncture help? Xx

@bethhop85 it can be so frustrating can’t it! One of the few women who is happy when AF arrives because it still feels like a novelty.

Inositol really worked for me but took awhile so keep going. Other things I’ve found:

Vit D, zinc and Vit C
spearmint tea
walking loads (haven’t actually lost any weight).

Also, annoyingly, time. My cycles seem to be getting better as I get older and have really settled down a full 18 months after coming off the pill.

I think just try everything you can. It seems different for everyone.

Hey all!

well I’ve been married a week now! So naturally next steps is a baby!
ive been using the flo app religiously and we had FUN around ovulation days so this is our first ‘2 week wait’ - if anyone has any tips to help pass the time feel free to share!

bought some ‘early’ detection tests but just wondering if anyone has had any joy with these before? Flo app telling me to wait 3 weeks!!!!

jess x

Just spoke to GP who said there is still a chance I might be pregnant and to test again in a week 😩 not sure I can take another week of not knowing ... if still no period or BFP then they'll get me in for some blood tests

I just want AF to show up and put me out of my misery so I can focus on getting on with the new year and reset

@Firsttimetrying2022 fingers crossed for you!!

@JRabbitx hello! Best of luck

Coming off the pill in the next week.
Is there a reason (medically) that they advise you to wait until you’ve had a first natural period for? Is the lining of your uterus thinner, or something? I read somewhere it was just to be sure of the dating but then apparently this doesn’t matter too much as all will be confirmed at first scan.

Of course AF showed up this morning - as sad as I am that this month didn't work out I'm glad there shouldn't be a reason to worry assuming it settles into a regular pattern again.

So ready to get on with next month. Natural Cycles app currently predicts ovulation to be 1st of January which feels like quite a nice start to the new year

@Firsttimetrying2022 oh I’m sorry - but yes, 1st Jan sounds a good time for a fresh start with it all 🤗

@happyfeet5 hmmm I thought you were meant to be extra fertile while immediately come off the pill? But I could have made that up!

@JRabbitx ahh!!! Got everything crossed for you!!

I don’t know anything about PCOS I’m afraid beth :( Hope you feel better from the COVID soon!

No idea I’m afraid happy

im sorry AF turned up first but fingers crossed for the New Year!

Welcome JRabbit

So after all the back and forth with regards the method we are going for I am going to do an AMH test. If AMH is normal we will do reversal, if low we will do sperm extraction and ICSI. Can get the AMH test through the post from Superdrug so a, going to wait until after Christmas as don’t want it getting lost in the post! Plan is to start reversal/ICSI in March.

I'm abit confused as I'm always regular to the day (for AF) and I am heavy on the first 2 days and then the last 2-3 they are fairly light.
This time however I was 3 days late and have been super light for the last 3 days. I've had cramping but I am waiting for this heavy day to start and nothing? I am super stressed at the moment as just finished working my notice and was a stressful handover.. but still. So Confused!
Is it normal to just have a light period now and then?? As in my 35 years, this isn't normal for me? Xx

Same thing happened to me, last two periods have been weird and light but now it's back to normal so maybe it's just a temporary thing?

I was super confused when it happened and reached out to my GP who said that a light period is usually nothing to worry about and to see if it goes back to normal with the next one

Obviously everyone is different but thought this might help

Thank you for letting me know I'm not alone! I really appreciate this! Xx

@Floralsandsmiles I think we're also hyper aware of everything as we get ready to TTC. Not sure I would've paid much attention to a lighter cycle before TTC.

The advise my GP gave me was to come back if it turns into a pattern, i.e three or more cycles to rule out hormonal imbalances