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.

@WanOvaryKenobi that sucks to hear. I had the same thing when I was given provera to bring on my periods… hit me with a vengeance.

im trying to eat healthy too but it really is soo hard as it’s getting colder. I’ve lost 2 stone since July and still got a little bit more to lose, so I’ve deffo made positive changes, but a little

I’ve also just started taking Myo-inositol, and making sure I’m taking my vitamins.

trying to do all I can to keep calm, and not let every day things stress me out!

Dont why that cut part of my sentence off!

I was gonna say I’ve seen changes already since losing weight!

Does anyone watch any pregnancy/baby related things on YouTube? Family channels or "mummy vloggers" (🤢hate that saying) I love watching labour vlogs and "finding out I'm pregnant" videos!

@ViewFromTheAfternoon loads!!!

Hi! Can I join? We're going to start TTC around May time! I'm planning on coming off the pill January time, although I do have Endo so a little nervous about that 😬

Has anybody started taking any supplements etc or made any lifestyle changes ready for TTC? I already don't drink or smoke but going to really try and up the exercise... try being the important word there 😅

I'm 28 and already have a 2 year old so will be trying for number 2! Very excited already and glad to have found this thread!!!

@pmore23 hey! March here. Not made any changes really other than taking folic acid and Vit D in prep. I go on to my pill free week today actually and I’ve run out of pills, so need another prescription. I can’t work out whether or not to get it as I’d only want to take them until January anyway… but not getting another prescription feels like the first big step, if that makes sense!

I imagine you’ll have a lot more experience and knowledge on what to expect than a lot of us on here already having your 2 year old! Did you feel ready for DC before having them?

Hi everyone, good luck to you all!

was wondering if anyone had any advice- I’m ttc number 2 For a while now and after a year of no conceptions at all I’ve just had two miscarriages, both at five weeks so technically chemical pregnancies. The first month we were trying and dtd every other day, the second month we had sex once after I thought I’d ovulated. So it’s a bit wtf. I’m sad neither stuck and frankly knackered right now. Has anyone been in this situation and got any advice? I thought I was doing all the right things! I’d like to be pregnant by summer next year so not in a huge rush, but also the excitement of getting pregnant then losing it twice has me a bit flat right now

@Weefreetiffany sorry for your losses 💐

@Weefreetiffany sorry for your losses. I have no advice I’m afraid but it worth raising it with your GP? I think they might do investigations after 2 mmc. Best of luck.

@pmore23 welcome! I think a few of us are on various supplements (vitamin d and folic acid). I’m also trying to eat healthier and increase exercise but I’m really struggling with that in the cold and wet!

AF looks like she’s here which means this cycle has been really short for me, so confusing! Also means if all goes to plan I’d be in the TWW over Xmas. Do people drink in the TWW? I know it’s not ideal but then loads of people wouldn’t know their even pregnant? If I say I’m not drinking people will know straightaway as I don’t drive and I’d never normally turn one down! So tricky.

@Mushroo What’s TWW? I know what you mean from the context but not sure what it stands for, I was also unsure but from reading posts it seems the consensus is ‘drink till it’s (the test line) pink’, that gets said a lot. I guess to be safe you should avoid altogether but apparently until implantation it’s entirely fine. I’m not a big drinker myself but like a Bailey’s at Christmas etc, I wouldn’t worry until you get a positive test.

@happyfeet5 TWW stands for two week window. The time between doing the deed (DTD) during ovulation and passing on a stick (POAS) to test for pregnancy.

@happyfeet5 ’two week wait’ ie the gap between ovulation and your period. It took me ages to get to grips with all the acronyms!

Yeh I’ve heard that too! I think I might have a couple of glasses and stock up on ‘no-secco’ to try and hide it a bit! OTOH it feel silly to drink if I’ll just be worrying, so hard!

Is anyones partner doing anything? Mine has begrudgingly started a multivitamin but thinks I’m over thinking (which I probably am haha)

Hey!

so recently started TTC but now putting it on hold until August next year. So fingers crossed.

age 30
0 children

@Mushroo @TrudyProud thank you! Bit of a minefield trying to understand all the meanings yes! Mine isn’t and doesn’t ever want to, just wants it to be very natural and for no pressure to go into it. Which I also am fully on board with.

@LibbyL92 hey! August will be here in no time.

@Mushroo my DH is exactly the same! He’s grudgingly taking a multivitamin but I’m not even sure that he remembers every day, whereas I’m surprised I don’t rattle when I walk with all the supplements I’m taking 😂

@bethhop85 sounds like we’re in the exact same position! DH probably has it right whereas I’m literally a walking medicine cabinet.

Made it to the gym this morning, was such a struggle! I’m finding posting is keeping me a bit more accountable..

@Mushroo how was the gym?

I’m not sure what to do, ladies. My pill free week has just begun. I was planning on taking it for one entire month more until December and then coming off it.
However, I’ve looked in the medicine cabinet and I only have about half a month’s supply!
I don’t know whether to ask for another prescription - they will only give 3 or 6 month’s worth in one go due to long waiting times for GP appointments. If I did this I wouldn’t use it all so it’s a bit of a waste I think. I could take the last two week’s worth and then stop contraception mid cycle but then I don’t know how protected I would be and it just throws my body out of sync a bit, as I’d then get another withdrawal bleed.

Or, I could just come off altogether now. The catch is very unlikely to be ready to TTC before March, we’ve holidays planned and I want to get fitter first. To me, coming off now makes the most sense as I actually hate how synthetic hormones make me feel anyway. It just feels really scary and like that’s making the decision official, even if we’d use other protection for a bit! Ahh!

Has anyone already stopped contraception and if not, when will you?

@happyfeet5 it was good thank you! I do actually not hate it once I’m there.

if I we’re you I’d come off the pill now. When I came off it took about 6 months for my cycle to settle down, so I’m glad I came off when I did. It does depend though how you feel about condoms / potential accidents. Between now and March isn’t that long really.

Or just get a 3 month prescription and stop in Jan :)

@happyfeet5 I would just come off it now. It's only a month earlier than you originally planned to come off it anyway, so that seems like the best option to me. And then just use condoms until march

@happyfeet5 i agree with @Mushroo it might take a while for your cycle to settle so I'd come off it now.
It's a scary step though, I've come off mine and had my first AF and now my DH is talking about trying and I'm coming into my fertile window and the thought is terrifying! It feels such a decisive step and I'm go from being super excited and ready to not wanting it at all

@marleyandme im so glad it’s not just me that isn’t 100% sure now it’s getting real.

this morning I was talking about primary schools which is mad but that is almost like playing family? Whereas the thought of actually having the baby is freaking me out a bit.

Without sounding smug we have such a nice life atm and I’m a bit worried about the financial side of it all with the cost of living rising - we need a bigger house and car and it’s all very overwhelming. What if I hate it?! What if I regret it?! What if the baby is severely disabled / unhealthy. It’s such a gamble and one you can’t undo. It also doesn’t help I’m not that close to my parents so looking at them, I wonder if they regret it.

It’s so difficult! I do want a family though (I think!) and my life atm does feel a bit like, is this it?

I am hopefully out for TTC 2023 I got my BFP this morning after our 'lets just see what happens this month otherwise we'll try next year' I'm in a bit of shock, but very excited.

@Mushroo I'm exactly the same! We talk about having a baby all the time now and DH is so excited but I'm not enthusiastic about actually being pregnant or giving birth, if I could skip that bit I would. Wish I could have a man's role in all of this!

DH pointed out that I was also scared of getting married at one point and was tbh even after I said yes for a few months before it felt real 😂 so I think I'm just a worrier!
He's so calm in all of this I wish I could be like that

Thanks @Mushroo and @marleyandme i never expected this to be my journey but here we are.

the First time around I was able to rest, exercise and be on top on my nutrition and supplements more and we conceived quite quickly. I would say give yourself time to feel ready but have a timeline. 3-6 months for your hormones to settle from BC but go have a fertility check up now and make sure your thyroid and hormones are good for pregnancy. It’s my thyroid that’s giving me problems right now, and I’m in a grey area where nhs says under 4 is fine, all the recommended literature says under 2 is needed for pregnancy and I’m at 2.7. I do think the supplements are helping, just wish ds1 would let us get the sleep we need! (TSH was 1.6 with him) However the supplements, like the maca I mentioned before, (and extra vit c and magnesium, pregnacare and omega 3) have really helped get my thyroid down from 3.5 six months ago. Onwards and upwards.

mushroo I had the same fears with my first and with the next, it’s a normal part of becoming a mum. Our life definitely changed but I wouldn’t go back.

Hey seems like we are both in very simular situations OP :)

I'm getting married early Oct. Desperate for a baby, but also feel like I want a last "hurrah" to enjoy my (hopefully) last child free months.

I did contemplate trying before my wedding, but I decided against it as I think there's so few big events in life to look forward to, why overlap them! ...(I also want to be able to drink).

I think it can often be good to prepare very early too. Last 2 years I have felt so fatigued and achey, I have only just found out the cause of that is anemia, I also have a couple of other deficiencies. I think with how long I've been anemic for it will take a while for my body to bounce back, and I also want to work on my overall diet and health to make sure I'm in peak baby making and carrying condition!

Age 29 (will be 30 when I start)
Trying for baby number 1
Getting coil removed September 2023!