Anyone TTC from Jan 2024?

[skyerojo]

Any other lurkers out there patiently (or impatiently!) waiting to TTC in the new year?

Anything in particular you're doing to prepare?

[WonderingAboutBabies]

Hello! I am also going to start TTC in 2024! I realise this is an old post but I need a buddy!!

I've just booked a GP appointment for next week to discuss anything I need to take, whether I'm up to date on my vaccinations etc. I also have a smear test booked.

We're planning to TTC at the end of January when DH passes his probationary period at work fingers crossed. Super nervous and excited!

[skyerojo]

Yay @WonderingAboutBabies hello buddy!

How exciting, would this be your first?

Good idea, I've already started taking folic acid and then very recently started on vitamin D too. I can't tell if coincidence but I feel so different already after taking the vitD! Sleeping better and much more energy than before, especially in the mornings. Wondering if I was deficient before! Anyway.

Smear is a v good shout, I might contact my doc and see if I can get that out the way asap as think mines coming up next Feb/March.

[WonderingAboutBabies]

Yes, it would be our first! You?

I definitely need to start taking Folic Acid and Vit D but I'm not sure which brand to get - which ones are you taking?

Definitely get the smear done.. I've had to cancel my last 2 appointments as my period has come each time!

[skyerojo]

@WonderingAboutBabies vitamin D I just got from Boots. Folic acid I get prescribed by my GP as I need a higher dose, but unless you have a diagnosis/family history of certain conditions you can usually just get this from normal shops too! Advice for folic acid is usually to have been taking that for about 3 months before starting to try, so plenty already built up in your system.

I also came off the pill a few months ago to try and regulate my cycle (using other contraception in meantime), which I'm really glad I did. It's a bit of a journey. Are you/have you been on the pill?

Yes this would be first too 😊

[WonderingAboutBabies]

@skyerojo I see!! I have PCOS and I've never been on the pill. My cycles tend to be quite long, hence why we are starting TTC sooner rather than later! I found some advice that says inositol works well for PCOS so I'm going to try inositol and folic acid tablets with some vit D supplements too.. fingers crossed!

Feels so weird to even be at this stage in my life but I'm so excited and suuuuper broody 😂😂.

[skyerojo]

@WonderingAboutBabies ahh ok hopefully that helps with the pcos. And at least no pill means no after-effects from that to deal with, I'm learning the hard way that it really messes you around despite what they say...

If long/irregular cycles will you be using ovulation trackers (strips or anything) or just go with the flow for a bit?

I think my cycle is regular ish now, but might do a few test strips this month just to check am actually ovulating.

Also v broody! But also overwhelmed and wondering if im a bit mad starting this!

[WonderingAboutBabies]

Haha I know what you mean, sometimes I stop and think what am I doing?! 😂

We're going to go with the flow for a few months and enjoy it, and if nothing happens after say 6 months, we'll start using OPKs etc. I can get stressed quite easily so I'm reluctant to start tracking ovulation as it can become all consuming!

Do you mind if I ask how old you are? I'm 28 and DH is 26 (we will both be 29/27 when we start TTC). We'll also be the first out of our friendship group... though last of our family!

[skyerojo]

That sounds like a good plan, no point in overthinking it all at first!

I'm 33 so keen to get a move on...

[LeCreusetLove]

Hello! 👋🏻 Also going to TTC in the new year, though we are going somewhere with Zika virus in December and current advice is to wait three months 😩 There is a private test you can do which is maybe £150 to see you’re carrying Zika though, and if not then you’re good to go, so we are wondering whether to do that… Regardless, I just started Pregnacare for conception just in case as advice is three months before TTC I think. Makes it so real and exciting!

[WonderingAboutBabies]

@LeCreusetLove hellooo!! How exciting!! I completely forgot about Zika - definitely do the test if you can afford it easily - just for that peace of mind 😄

So exciting but also so nerve wracking!! Lots of pregnancy announcements happening around here which makes me even more eager to get going!!

[LeCreusetLove]

Yes same, my best friend just told me she is pregnant and I am so excited for her! Two of my other friends plan to try next year too. Really hoping it goes smoothly for all of us (and both of you, too!)

The Zika issue is very annoying! We won’t be taking any chances because of course it isn’t worth the risk, but part of me does think, well women there get pregnant and have healthy babies all the time?!

Are you using Natural Cycles or anything?

[WonderingAboutBabies]

Aw that's lovely!! I'd be the first out of my friends (unless it takes us ages to conceive!)

No, we've just been very cautious with the withdrawal method 😆I've never used any contraception with my husband!! But now we're going to take a relaxed approach and just stop... withdrawing so to say!! We'll see what happens!

What about you?

[skyerojo]

Hi @LeCreusetLove 👋 exciting! And travels sound fun too. It would cross my mind too re Zika, but honestly think about all the people that live in those countries that have perfectly healthy bubs. If there's a test though then you might find it worth it for the peace of mind!

Yeah I feel like I'm in baby central now too amongst friends, colleagues etc. Have you told them about your plans to try? What about you @WonderingAboutBabies? I'm telling no one which probably is why I'm finding myself here to at least talk to someone so I don't go mad 🤪

[LeCreusetLove]

I was on the pill for many years and recently stopped because I forgot to get a repeat prescription and my husband pointed out there isn't much point if we want to TTC next year anyway, as fertility can take three months-ish to restore after a long time on the pill. So I signed up to Natural Cycles and learning about my body and cycle has been super interesting!

Makes sense @skyerojo that you'd want somewhere to talk about it as it is so exciting to think about! Any reason you wouldn't share with anyone that you're trying? My closest friends and mum and MIL know our timeframe... which actually is quite a lot of pressure really if it doesn't happen quickly!

[MrsRandallFraser]

Can I join? We made the decision to start TTC now, but I've been on the pill for a year or so due to endometriosis issues. Last time I came off the pill my first two cycles were 41 and 38 days respectively, and then settled down to 28-31 days regularly.

I'm currently on Day 32, no period and negative pregnancy tests, so I'm assuming the same is going to happen again and January will be my first 'normal' cycle so seems like a good time to start.

I've started taking the seven seas trying for baby vitamins plus upped my Omega 3 and COQ10 in preparation. Also bought OPKs and pregnancy test, will start OPK testing next cycle to see if my theory is correct about the long cycle. I also plan on doing SMEM and the thought of DTD every other day for 2 weeks sounds exhausting and like we'll both be fed up of it 😂 so would definitely rather start on a shorter normal cycle.

[LeCreusetLove]

Welcome @MrsRandallFraser! That is so exciting, I hope everything goes well for you ❤Sorry to hear about the endometriosis, really hope you're doing well from that perspective! I agree about DTD every other day being a bit exhausting and we may well get fed up, ha!

[emmatcc1]

As someone who has been ttc for 17 cycles now I suggest maybe do one cycle with opks now to se when you ovulate and how long your luteal phase is. After that you can determine ovulation with natural signs such as cervical mucus, higher sex drive. First you will feel a bunch of symptoms after ovulation but remember that now you will be hyper aware of your body and those symptoms are normal post ovulation. As far as dtd goes if you and your partner are already having regular sex ( every 2-3 days) you’ll be fine if not then all the extra baby making might make it seem like a chore in that case try to always get in the day before ovulation ( highest conception rates). Good luck! Hopefully this journey won’t be too long for you.

[WonderingAboutBabies]

Morning! Nice to see some new faces on this thread 😄

@LeCreusetLove I've also told my best friends but not our parents... though I think they know we'd like babies sooner rather than later!

@MrsRandallFraser Ahhhh good luck!! I'm also taking the Seven Sea tablets too. We're just going to stick to our normal DTD and hope something comes out of it (2-3 times a week)... if nothing happens after a while then we might DTD every other day - which sounds a bit exhausting! 😆

@emmatcc1 that's good advice - interesting about the day before ovulation stats! 😮I definitely know when I'm ovulating naturally - I feel SO energised, ready to DTD at any time, and slightly stickier mucus.. I'm definitely ovulating now and it's currently CD 21 (I have 35-40 day cycles).

[skyerojo]

Hi buddies, how are we doing?

Sorry for slow reply @LeCreusetLove. Hmm think I don't plan to tell anyone for now partly because no one seems to suspect it's our plan right now. So might as well enjoy the privacy! I don't think I'd cope well with telling people and then find that I've run into issues in case I wanted to process privately for a while.

Also my best friend is very actively trying and had a tragic late loss this year, so my main reason for staying quiet is that really. I'm actually really worried about the scenario of me now possibly getting pregnant before her and how awful that would be sensitivity wise. If anyone has any advice on how to handle that I'd actually really appreciate it?

Don't think I've asked but what's everyone's timings - at some point next year? Or 1st Jan right let's to go 😆

[WonderingAboutBabies]

Hi @skyerojo ahh I totally understand re. your reasoning for being private about it - that must have been so tough for your friend! I think the best way to approach her, if you did get pregnant before her, would be to tell her alone (i.e. don't let her find out via social media or in a group chat). That way, she can have some time to process without feeling the pressure of needing to post a 'congratulations' message ❤

We're holding off until 31st January/1st February!! My DH and I both just started new jobs and have 6 month probation periods which we want to get through first!

[MrsRandallFraser]

@skyerojo I've got two best friends who are both struggling with infertility and I've told them both we're going to start trying as I don't want any potential news to come as a shock to them. They both have said they would prefer to be told by text when I know they're home as they don't want to have to try and put on a brave face (understandably) in front of me or in public. And then they can take all the time they need to process it and get in touch when they're ready to.

I've also told my mum and my sister we're going to start trying as if the worst did happen, I'd want their support through it, so I'd probably tell them early on if I do get pregnant.

As I mentioned before, I've just come off the pill, and I'm currently on day 38 of what I guess is my 'first' cycle (I know that first bleed isn't really a period). I reckon the next cycle will be nearly as long as this one, from previous experience, so go time will be mid-January for us I reckon 😂

[PinkRoses1245]

Wow i didn't know people were so organised with TTC. We just got on with it. And my advice - be patient and prepared for the long haul.

[skyerojo]

Hello happy Friday. Thanks guys.

I've been thinking same kind of ideas, and although this scenario may never happen anyway, it does still pop into my head sometimes. @MrsRandallFraser I think you've done the right thing, I know deep down that would be the kinder thing to do, i.e. warn them I might start soon too so any potential news isn't as much of a shock. But no one's asking me and can't really bring myself to share right now, so end up feeling a bit selfish and guilty for all this private planning. Maybe a few months into the year I'll start being a bit more honest with close people, who even knows what my own journey will be.

I actually don't know when we'll start, probs beginning of Jan I guess, which now feels v close! Might have the chat again tonight and get a bit more specific eeeek.

Will this be everyone's first?

[skyerojo]

Oh and I'm also ex-pill! I actually came off in May (been using other contraception since) and must say cycles aren't how I remembered... but trying not to overthink that until any reason to.

Fingers crossed yours regulates quickly etc. so you can get started 😊

[MrsRandallFraser]

@skyerojo just do what feels right for you, I don't think there is a right or wrong way to do things! Obviously with the infertility stuff, there's been a lot of baby talk with my friends so when they outright asked, telling them was the right thing to do. I don't know if I'd have told them if they hadn't asked though tbh.