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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

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Original poster

Delaying TTC to avoid winter/Xmas baby?

66 replies

CinderRosie · 31/01/2023 11:51

DH and I have agreed we are ready to TTC. We are both 36 which may have some bearing on the responses on this thread. I already have a teenage DC from previous relationship who has a mid-November birthday. If I was lucky enough to fall pregnant this cycle or on the next few cycles I’d be due between end of October and the end of December. I remember DS being born and us going straight into a long cold winter and I felt claustrophobic with the dark, short days. Getting up for night feeds was awful. I’d much prefer to wait and TTC in 3 months time when my due date would be the end January next year (again, if we were lucky enough to fall pregnant first cycle). January is still winter but the days are getting longer and brighter and spring is just around the corner and I feel my mental health would be a lot better. We also have a LOT of family birthdays in November and then December is all Christmas. But, I am 36 and time is of the essence. Am I being silly and should we just start now?

OP posts:

Madcats · 31/01/2023 11:59

Do you have any friends with young kids?

I had a late June baby (should have been July). It was a cold wet summer. By the time I was able to venture out, all the baby groups closed down until early September.

February - April seems a good time to be born. Starting school you've had a few more months to learn to walk/talk and hone fine motor skills. You are only a few months behind a September student; not nearly a year.

acupofteamakeseverythingbetter · 31/01/2023 12:02

I had this view in mind when ttc. I ended up having a miscarriage but was supposed to be due in October and took 7 months to conceive. However I did have a baby born at the end of May which was lovely although I had to get through the heatwave with a newborn! I think every month has pros and cons. Best of luck to you

Talkwhilstyouwalk · 31/01/2023 12:03

I'd just crack on with it to be honest....

Cuppasoupmonster · 31/01/2023 12:04

Not at 36 I wouldn’t.

OnNaturesCourse · 31/01/2023 12:04

In my early 30s i delayed my pregnancy to avoid a December baby so I completely understand your position.

I don't regret it at all.

I intend to delay my next pregnancy to avoid certain dates and events in my calender. I'm now over 35.

SalviaOfficinalis · 31/01/2023 12:06

DS was born in April and I remember feeling so much better as the sun rose each morning even if I’d barely slept all night. So we’re going to try to avoid winter for DC2, but I am slightly younger at 32.

MelchiorsMistress · 31/01/2023 12:06

If you have the choice, I’d avoid a summer baby so they don’t end up youngest in the school year and you don’t have to try and organise parties in the long holidays.

BouncingWorms · 31/01/2023 12:12

All mine are winter babies, I couldn’t face being heavily pregnant or breastfeeding in the heat. So I don’t think you’re silly to delay. But it would be silly to stop trying if you don’t conceive within 6 months

Mushroo · 31/01/2023 12:14

I think you’re being a bit silly given your age.

You can’t guarantee how long it will take, whether you will have a miscarriage.

Would you regret a December baby more than no baby? Honestly just crack on.

AmberGer · 31/01/2023 12:16

I delayed ttc to avoid a winter baby. Ended up biting me on the bum when ds was premature 🙈

fiftiesmum · 31/01/2023 12:20

Many teachers aim for an October baby - benefits child in long term as oldest in year - has advantages socially, academically and sporting.
Although at 36 the body doesn't always do as asked.

SalviaOfficinalis · 31/01/2023 12:20

MelchiorsMistress · 31/01/2023 12:06

If you have the choice, I’d avoid a summer baby so they don’t end up youngest in the school year and you don’t have to try and organise parties in the long holidays.

I’m very anti social and loved having an August birthday so there was no pressure to have a party 😁

erehj · 31/01/2023 12:21

You are 36. Just get on with it ASAP!

Cornelious2011 · 31/01/2023 12:23

No I wouldn't wait. Oct- dec is a good time as they'll be one of the oldest in their class. I loved dc being born near Christmas.

EarlofShrewsbury · 31/01/2023 12:40

My daughter was due 24th December but her birthday is mid October.

You can plan but it doesn't always go to plan.

LuckyC27 · 31/01/2023 12:53

when we started ttc for number 2 I was under the same thinking aim for a April-October baby but I had a miscarriage in December and didn’t get pregnant unfortunately this month so now not bothered and just hope to get pregnant again this year. Like a previous poster said you can plan but doesn’t alway go to plan.

Fundays12 · 31/01/2023 12:59

At 36 I wouldn't delay trying. None of my 3 kids were born in the month they were due let alone the day so you can't totally plan or predict dates anyway

SilentNightDancer · 31/01/2023 12:59

I wouldn't mess around. It can take longer to conceive than you expect.

Mrsrobinsonx · 31/01/2023 13:01

We thought about missing out next month to
avoid December but I’m not sure now as
we have been trying a while so not sure if I want to delay! X

StopFeckingFaffing · 31/01/2023 13:02

At 36 I wouldn't delay no

Blueisthecolor · 31/01/2023 13:02

I wouldn't delay or stop to avoid Xmas, not when ur 36 no. To be honest I wouldn't try to avoid it at all unless I was super confident I can get pregnant very easily.

I'd just be happy to get pregnant. It is a rubbish birthday near Xmas time but to be honest not that big a deal. I was due in mid December with second but she came early so has a November birthday.

Landndialamrhf · 31/01/2023 13:05

But what if you don’t get pregnant in the first few months? What if it takes 6 or 7 months? You’re back to a winter baby. Are you gonna stop again for 6 months and wait until you’re 37/38 and hope it happens then?
what if you get pregnant but have a premature baby, who could be born in winter?
I think there are other ways to mitigate the issue you had last time, this doesn’t seem like a sensible one.

TheBirdintheCave · 31/01/2023 13:05

I felt like this when TTC my first. One and a half years later I didn't care when my baby was born, I just wanted a baby.

At 36 just go for it, you don't really have the time to waste.

KM91 · 31/01/2023 13:12

100% just get started I’d say. I had my timings all planned out for my spring baby perfectly, I was 25….but it’s now 6 years later and I’m finally 16 weeks pregnant after IVF so my plan didn’t quite go as imagined.

I would definitely just start now, hopefully all goes perfectly for you but IF there are any issues at least you will be a few months in already if that makes sense. Good luck x

custardbear · 31/01/2023 13:13

Don't underestimate how long it may take - I was 37 and 40 when I gave birth to my children, both took 2 years to conceive. Fertility plummets as you get older, so I'd say just get on with it and don't hang around

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