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.

I’m rubbish at taking pills so I just take a chewy multivitamin from Aldi and then take vitamin d and folic acid separately as they’re much smaller. That’s what I did when I was TTC baby number 1 too.

Hello ladies
Im not technically starting ttc in 2023 im continuing to try.
Ive been TTC for over a year we fell pregnant in September but miscarried in November i had December off trying i was in no place emotionally to even contemplate it!
I think i will TTC in March again reason being my wedding is in June but my hen do is February and i think id like to enjoy it 😊 im less worried about being pregnant on my wedding day i bought my dress bigger just in case and can have it altered!
I have a son already who is 11yrs ( i was 21 when i had him) my fiancé is not his biological father but he raises him as his own and my son calls him dad! We have been together since he was 6yrs old.
My son has autism, adhd Tourette's and Epilepsy so its been hard hence waiting so long to TTC I wasn't trying when i fell with him so never imagined i'd have any problems we had some tests on NHS and all is normal apparently
Im not taking any supplements clearly i should be i have some pregnacare there off when i fell pregnant in sept so ill take that is that enough?
what should my fiancé be taking?
So in summary
Age: 32
Ttc: no.2
Starting again: march 2023
Baby dust to all

@Mumof1hopingfor2nd so sorry for your loss.

I'll be TTC #2 in 2023. Personally I'd start with pre-conception vitamins (I used pregnacare for DD1 in 2021 and conceived 1st cycle) now. The box recommends you start 3 months prior to TTC so you have enough folic acid etc in your system ahead of carrying a baby.

I'm currently on pregnacare breastfeeding and when DD1 is nearly 1yo I'll return to preconception vitamins and start TTC .

Good luck

@Mumof1hopingfor2nd Hello! So sorry for your previous loss. Enjoying your hen party sounds like a great idea. It's really lovely to hear you have such a supportive partner.

I'll be taking Pregnacare conception for 3 months before we start trying, and my husband is taking Wellman conception too! I'm thinking of TTC in April for #2 so I won't be far behind you!

@TrudyProud thanks I'll start taking them now :)
@LeopardLover yes I'm blessed to have such a supportive fiancé ill get him on some prenatal vitamins too they wont do any harm 😃

@buckingmad great shout, thanks!!

So sorry for your loss Mumof1

According to my BBT it looks like I ovulated yesterday. Not TTC yet so am just trying to remember what my cycle is like!

Are people happy if I compile a list as Danis doesn’t seem to be around at the moment?

Am going to order the pregnacare vitamins for DH and I today (well the Wellman ones for him but they are the same brand)

Hi all, well I have sat down with two cuppas reading everyone’s post and love to see how supportive you all are! Abit about me I’m 32 married in September 22 and we are TTC #1 this year. I will be coming off my pill which I have been on since 15 in the next few months. It’s so refreshing to read everyone’s worries and thoughts as out of me and my OH it’s me who’s the unsure one. Yes I do want a child but I’m so scared and worried of money, how it can affect us, work and social life because I love my life how it is but then I know there is something missing which is a mini us. I can’t tell you how nice it’s been to read all your posts and it really has calmed me into knowing that you’re never fully ready but I would regret not giving this ago. I also started a new job in November 22 and I have to wait 12 months to get the better maternity cover so that’s also worrying me but I don’t want to delay coming off my pill incase it takes a while for my body to get back to normal especially being on the pill for so long! I hope I can join this lovely forum and look forward to getting to know you all and being on your journey x

@Hopingforno2in2023 happy for you to do the list! Thank you! Lots of newcomers!

@Newchapter23 i feel the exact same, still not 100% but not sure you ever are with so many unknowns.

We DTD today after finally getting rid of family but fairly sure I ovulated last week!

I'm trying to get myself a bit healthier while TTC - does anyone know what counts as strenuous exercise and should be avoided? I've started the Couch to 5k running Plan today, hoping that isn't too much

@Mushroo It’s nice to know your not on your own with those feelings though isn’t it!

im going to be starting off trying to get my body and finances in order so I’m in the best possible situation

@Newchapter23 totally in the same boat here including new job situation too! Excited to see what happens 😊 wishing you all the best.

@CatLadyH that’s good to know it’s really reassuring knowing that other people are in the same situation! Are you currently on any contraception? I’m unsure when to come off.

@Newchapter23 i came off the pill (microgynon) at the start of October. Think I am now back to normal with my regular cycle, as it was really worrying me at first as I have been on it for 10+yrs (pill/implant) and I was stressed with work (started a new job in August that I hated but fortunately in a much better job now which I started in Dec) so I am in a much more relaxed headspace and mindset. DH and I have started taking pregnacare conception and wellman conception vitamins, but we aren’t going to start actively trying TTC until April due to our delayed honeymoon in the Caribbean in a couple of weeks (Zika risk) and just getting into the groove of the new job I am in (passing probation settling in etc).
I suppose it depends what type of contraception you’re on? I know with the pill it can take 3+ months to get your cycle back to normal, but as with everything no one’s the same.

Hello to all the new joiners!

Well I’m on 11DPO today AF is due Friday however I don’t feel confident about this cycle my temps have been up and down the last few days but are very similar to when I got a BFP in June but that ended on a loss so we shall see.

As for supplants I’m currently taking pregnacare conception max which has CoQ10 and omega 3 for egg quality as I’m 40 I have read about egg quality so trying to improve that.

@Hopingforno2in2023 go ahead with updating the list in @DanisEndo absence . I'm sure she won't mind x

@Firsttimetrying2022 strenuous is personal to you. Imo short of running ultramarathons daily and starving yourself to the point of your menstrual cycle stopping exercise won't impact a healthy pregnancy.

I say this as someone who got pregnant working out daily (Pilates 5x a week, 10km runs 2x a week, body weight training and kettlebells) and ran a half marathon at 11 weeks pregnant. My daughter is perfect.

Do what you feel comfortable with

@happyfeet5 went again today. Pilates plus 50mins cardio/weight mix in the gym. I'm restarting my fitness routine

@TrudyProud You are my fitness inspo!! I got pregnant during lockdown @Firsttimetrying2022 so I was doing 10k steps before work, then gym most days including weights. However I did nearly break my toe and had to chill out for a bit but probably wasn't connected and I was definitely eating enough! This time round I don't have the time to do this with a toddler allergic to sleep 😅

@Hopingforno2in2023 Good idea re updating the list. Thanks!

Still crossing my fingers for you @Foreverhope82 .My BBT dipped before my BFP.

@Mushroo Hoping for the best for you - you never know.

@Newchapter23 Welcome! You're right, in my experience you never really feel ready and you can't time these things. It could take one cycle or 48! It really is magical though. Really hard (for us) but incredible! I have friends who have had sleeping chilled babies and their social lives haven't really changed. So it can happen! X

Back from London today and ready to start a new month ttc - it's cycle day 6 so nowhere near ovulation yet. This month is feeling long already.

Depends on your fitness levels already. I rode my horse until I was about 14 weeks pregnant and carried on mucking out, lifting bales of hay etc up until my waters breaking. I also did Pilates 3x a week and walked the dog 5-15km a day.

i plan on doing the same with pregnancy number 2! Definitely think it helped me bounce back quickly my c section.

Couch 2 5k will be fine first as it is designed to be gradual and not strenuous :) I will continue running until I am pregnant at which point I will focus on swimming and hiking.

Will do the list this evening!

Hi all, I haven’t posted for a few weeks, so just a recap:
I am 33, TTC baby number 3 from end of Feb (approx). My two DC are: DD age 10 and DS age 2. DS was born during lockdown, so struggled a bit with that pregnancy/ birth/ new baby stage.

I’m sorry to those who have had losses, or been TTC for some time 💐

I am ready for my health kick starting tomorrow, trying to get in better shape/ health before we start TTC. I am overweight, so some work to do! I have just started taking folic acid and due to finish the pill on 13th Jan, so will stay off it then. I haven’t taken any pre-conception vits before, I just take a regular multivitamin, so will continue with that and see how we go.

Feeling a mix of nerves/ excitement! Hope everyone is doing ok x

Does your general multivitamin have 400 micrograms of folic acid Lovely? That is the amount needed when TTC.

Hi all ☺️ Sorry, I haven’t read the whole thread but would love to join you!

I’m 31 and hoping to start TTC #2 this summer. The reason that we’re holding off for a few months is that we’re hoping to move this year, so want to know where we stand with that before adding a new baby into the mix!

Now that we’ve made the decision to TTC this year (we originally had planned for 2024) I am so excited, so it would be lovely to chat to others in similar positions while we wait ☺️

@CatLadyH exactly the same pill as myself, I have never taken a break so I’m looking forward to knowing my adult cycle and making sure everything is ok! How have you found coming off the pill? Are you doing anything before hand to prepare?

@LeopardLover that’s really good to know! Unfortunately I have friends who have lost themselves in being a mum and now don’t leave the house and that is my biggest fear I have spent 32 years finding myself and I don’t want to lose myself just because I’m a mum if that makes sense each to their own and as long as they are happy but for me I couldn’t be like that.

like a few have mentioned on here I myself could do with losing a few stone im yet to face the scales of damage done over Christmas but I have prepped my dinners for work and look forward to hitting the gym next week!

is it too early to take folic acid if I’m not coming off my pill to March/April?