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 haven’t posted for a while as the last month has gone so slowly! Had AF and now on CD5. Do you girls recommend using OPKs from now so you reckon? Also any other tips? Cut out drinking entirely… I also read somewhere about taking it easy in the TWW because of implantation. I like to run and often go to yoga. I’m assuming those things are still ok?

@twinklebutt Congratulations! Hope things settle down a bit emotionally for you.

@madeofcodes I probably wouldn't start using OPKs until CD10 but that's me! Reducing caffeine is a good one. Running and yoga will be fine. 😊

I'm a bit behind with the chat but I've decided to hold off trying until May! To avoid a Christmas baby 😅 I've ordered CoQ10 too (low dosage) because I'm over 35 and can't see it doing any harm!

How long are your cycles codes? I know from TTC before that I can ovulate as early as CD11 so would start around CD7-8

I had a 27 day cycle this month. A light AF that was only 3 days. I did an OPK yesterday and there was a faint line, same this morning.

Evening ladies, I have just finished my AF and this will be my first month ttc. No matter how much I tell myself don’t let it take over everything like I normally do I know it will. I’ve brought some of the boots own ovulation tests would you have a month of trying normal or would you start them

Hi guys hope you don't mind me joining. I'm 32 and TTC #1. This is our first cycle. I stopped Microgynon after 12 years in December and using OPKs. I'm CD16 and still all negative, there is a faint line but hasn't been getting stronger since I started testing on CD10. 😔
I didn't realise it can take months to ovulate after being on the pill or I would have stopped sooner! Which someone has given me that advice before we started trying but never mind!
Looking forward to seeing all you BFPs in the months to come!

Hi @AlbaGracie! It took me 10 months after coming off the pill, but lots of friends got their cycles back quicker. It can take a few months for them to settle down though.
Which OPKs are you using? I had cheap ones from Premom and I found I never really got a strong line.
When I came off the pill I started doing BBT tracking so then I knew when I had ovulated for the first time after coming off (and AF arrived a couple of weeks later). I also started noticing EWCM more at that point.
Have you had an AF since the withdrawal bleed since the pill? If not, I would suggest ditching the OPKs and waiting until you have a proper AF which should suggest you have ovulated. And then TTC that month. I’m not saying don’t try at all now, but you may get disappointed if it takes a while to ovulate (and they usually date your pregnancy from first day of AF). Good luck! X
(oh and The Impatient Womens Guide to Getting Pregnant is a good book). And Fertility Friend I have found to be the best and most accurate app - esp with BBT.

@Lindsey02 If you're keen to get pregnant ASAP I'd start with OPKs so you know when you ovulate 😊 but I take my hat off to those who can take a casual approach. I'm too much of a type A!

@AlbaGracie Some really great advice from @Hopefulhoney6 . Just wanted to say I've had friends who got pregnant relatively quickly after coming off the pill so don't be too disheartened. This whole TTC thing is so different for us all!

Has anyone tried the pack of 7 boots own opk tests?

@LeopardLover I hear you with the type A lol! So impatient I want it now!

So....we planned to wait 3 weeks post reversal until sex. We are currently day 10 and caved! All seemed in full working order. So exciting and I suppose this means we are absolutely TTC now. Not that today will do anything, I'm due on my period tomorrow! This will be the only period I'm desperate to arrive for the foreseeable.

Hey 👋🏻 Wondered if it’s ok to join? I’m on day 2 of my period and didn’t fall last month after our first month trying. I have 2 children already - both weren’t planned and a surprise. So this is my first time trying to plan a baby. I used the one step ovulation strips last month and they worked well but not very clear - seemed I peaked for 6 hours and then it faded again. Can anyone recommend an easy OPK? Or perhaps offer some advice with temping? Thank you 😊

I have 32-34 day cyles and I don't get my positive OPK until day 21ish. It shoots up really quickly so don't lose hope. Keep testing!

@Wonkyjelly Welcome! Please don't be discouraged, trying for up to a year is seen as perfectly normal, but its great you want to be proactive.
One step are a good brand to use, and I wouldnt worry that peak only showed for a short period of time, thats totally normal! As long as you have dtd on the days around your peak reading you will have done all you can, you can ovulate from 12 - 36 hours after the peak reading but you want the sperm to all be there waiting before you ovuklate ideally.

temping can be quite stressful, so I personally would wait a while before starting that. Its main use is confirming ovulation has happened. You have to take your temperature with a BBT thermometer (has 2 decimal places) FIRST thing in the morning before you move around too much and record it at the same time daily, after you ovulate your temperature rises and if it stays high for 3 days that confirms ovulation.
Hope thats helpful, and good luck!

@Wonkyjelly - I would add to @TunnocksTCake that temping only tells you AFTER you have ovulated but I find it really has helped me know I ovulate day 18 of my 28 cycle. I use Fertility Friend app to log OPKs, EWCM and BBT and I find it the most accurate.
Expensive, but I find the clear blue OPKs are the best. But some people only have a shortish LH surge (I’ve heard people say they only catch it at a specific time of day and stuff!!) so once you get the peak once it’s fine if it goes back down. Clearblue actually only gives you only peak xx

I have found that only the Clearblue advanced OPKs pick anything up for me but they worked a treat when I was TTC DS.

@Mummymidwife33 Oh yay! That's such good news 😁 Not long until your period will be over and you can get to it.

@Wonkyjelly Welcome! 😊 I second the Clearblue OPKs. I use the digital one so it's nice and simple. I found temping really useful but I became a bit obsessive. Also not sure my toddler will let me test at the same time every morning as his sleep is so erratic - but it is really interesting! I probably won't temp this time round.

Evening ladies anybody approaching their fertile window? It’s cd12 for me tomorrow :) last time I fell pregnant I dtd cd12 and cd14, this was 2 years ago. I’m going to start my ovulation tests tomorrow

@Lindsey02 I'm only CD7, but had a high on CB OPK this morning which is a bit early for me. Had a chemical last month though so wondering if that's sent things a bit wonky

@PeopleAreToads sorry to hear about that! How long are your cycles normally?xx

Hey @Lindsey02 I am also on cycle day 11 and got a flashing smiley this morning on a clearblue OPK. My first time using the clearblue opk so still learning it all 🤣 Just waiting for that static smiley to know when my peak is but will be dtd in the meantime. We tried last month but no luck so fingers crossed this cycle 🤞

@Lindsey02 me! Should ovulate this weekend I think (currently CD11 and normally ovulate around CD17) Although I have a big meeting at work on the 26th which may delay things for a bit…

But provisionally count me in!

@Summer022 im going to do my first opk tomorrow and hoping I’m still in the game 🤞 I think my age is against me though.
@Mushroo have you been tracking ovulation long?

@Lindsey02 cycles are usually 28 days, with ovulation around day 14/15. But I do often get quite a few days of high before peak on the OPKs so could ovulate over the weekend

@Lindsey02 ive been tracking my cycle for ages uses a mixture of temping and monitoring CM, but no ovulation sticks as trying not to do too much straightaway. I came off the pill about 18 months ago and my periods are fairly regular now so it’s been ok.

ill probably cave if it doesn’t happen straightway and be straight on the sticks!