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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.

Is it ok to go on as normal (activities, alcohol, spa day) in the TWW?

32 replies

Babydust00 · 15/12/2023 21:27

We are several cycles in. We have a spa day booked but that will likely be 15/16dpo… and Christmas and new year, where I’m not sure whether to drink or not!! I’d really quite like to if I can but it’s in the TWW. What do you ladies do and should I just go on as normal given that if I am pregnant it will be too early to affect anything anyway?

OP posts:
BodyKeepingScore · 15/12/2023 22:16

If you're actively trying to conceive I'd avoid alcohol, you don't know whether you're pregnant or not at this stage and if you are it could potentially cause harm.

OlgaRhythm · 15/12/2023 22:17

First Baby OP?

Babydust00 · 15/12/2023 22:30

OlgaRhythm · 15/12/2023 22:17

First Baby OP?

Yeah

OP posts:
heartofglass23 · 15/12/2023 22:32

Alcohol cause most damage in the first few days post conception before a positive pregnancy test.

Absolutely do not drink if you've had unprotected sex until you've had your period.

aubergineman · 15/12/2023 22:36

Spa day could be tricky, you should avoid raising your core temperature too much (including hot baths, sauna, hot tubs), particularly in the first trimester.

This was the advice I got from my fertility clinic. I can't remember why, but seem to remember it being something quite serious about potentially harming the baby

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/12/2023 22:37

I did all that stuff, gave up booze, vitamins etc. I'm not sure exactly but it took me around 7 years to get pregnant. I gave up hope and stopped trying. I got really drunk the week before I found out and yes I felt awful about it but it's not as extreme as the pp said. Having said that I would cut it out

aubergineman · 15/12/2023 22:37

But you should be able to test before you go to the spa, so you'll know either way

underneaththeash · 15/12/2023 22:40

heartofglass23 · 15/12/2023 22:32

Alcohol cause most damage in the first few days post conception before a positive pregnancy test.

Absolutely do not drink if you've had unprotected sex until you've had your period.

i can’t work out biologically how that could be the case.

could you post a (proper peer reviewed) link?

ringstrawpot · 15/12/2023 22:46

Because no baby has ever been conceived under the influence of alcohol.

And no pregnant woman has ever taken a hot bath.

Take folic acid. And then continue with your life as normal.

daisybe · 16/12/2023 00:00

Personally, I would avoid alcohol and a spa (unless it's just a facial or manicure etc) as heat, like from a hot tub, sauna or steam room can be bad. It's generally best avoided to allow your core temperature to go up. Some people even go so far as to say to avoid hot baths, too.

Some would argue that during the TWW, having alcohol isn't so bad because technically the embryo hasn't attached to your uterus yet therefore alcohol wouldn't get to it, however, personally I'd avoid it because you simply don't know how it can affect the developing cells while it develops in your body. It's literally the single most important time in a babies development as it's new cells, multiplying and growing, hence why they say no to so much in the first trimester. (Lady wouldn't even book me into yoga class until 12 weeks!!)

For perspective, I had a mmc after trying for a few years, blamed myself, was it x, was it y, was it because I had cough syrup before i knew or because I did xyz or used a hot water bottle etc. I eventually accepted that it was most likely a genetic and chromosomal issue but you still blame yourself. 2nd time around I'm being overly careful.

Feels crappy to have to not enjoy those things, I know, but it's a short time in the grand scheme of things.

(Currently preggo and definitely miss certain foods and a glass of wine!!! But Ive chosen to wait because I know when I can, I'll really enjoy it 😊) on the plus, my partner got hold of some 0% wine and sparkling wine so I did enjoy what felt like a tipple. The wine was more like a posh grape juice but the sparkling one was so good it was honestly no different to prosecco but major Heartburn kicked in after 2 sips so that put an end to that! You can look for one of those to have instead so you don't feel you're missing out?

On the flip side, my sil was pregnant and just gave birth, she had a few tipples throughout now and again, I'm not sure what she did in her first trimester but certainly in 2nd and 3rd she had the odd sip. Nothing much mind you.
Another friend mentioned reading a book about pregnancy speaking about alcohol consumption and decided she'd allow herself to enjoy it too based on the research presented. So everyone is different and has different opinions and choices they make. I don't judge them, it's their decision but it didn't sway my own.

EarringsandLipstick · 16/12/2023 00:01

heartofglass23 · 15/12/2023 22:32

Alcohol cause most damage in the first few days post conception before a positive pregnancy test.

Absolutely do not drink if you've had unprotected sex until you've had your period.

Utter nonsense, obviously. 🤦🏻‍♀️

daisybe · 16/12/2023 00:04

ringstrawpot · 15/12/2023 22:46

Because no baby has ever been conceived under the influence of alcohol.

And no pregnant woman has ever taken a hot bath.

Take folic acid. And then continue with your life as normal.

This is also a good point!

I took precautions out of choice, but I have friends who didn't, they had alcohol, spa days, ate rare steak etc and their babies are absolutely fine! It's all personal choice

moderationincludingmoderation · 16/12/2023 00:06

Obsessing and stressing can be detrimental too.
Relax and enjoy yourself but be sensible and dont
Go
Mad

Darkenergy · 16/12/2023 00:12

Similar to pp, it took me years to conceive and by the time it happened I was well past planning my life around 2ww, I just lived normally and that included moderate alcohol, all types of food and activities. It's a personal decision but I definitely would go and enjoy myself in your shoes.

daisybe · 16/12/2023 00:12

aubergineman · 15/12/2023 22:37

But you should be able to test before you go to the spa, so you'll know either way

That's a good point. I got a faint line at 9 DPO, which got stronger each day. By 16dpo its very likely you'd see a result on a test :)

LoveBluey · 16/12/2023 00:16

I agree it's personal choice. The advice is not to do it but they will err on the side of caution for obvious reasons.

I didn't actually realise I was pregnant until after 12 weeks so I drank quite a bit in the first trimester which I do feel bad about but baby was healthy. That's not to say I would have drank if I knew I was pregnant but before a positive test I don't think I'd worry too much.

LittleMrsPretty · 16/12/2023 00:18

I currently have this Dilemma I will go to the spa and drink u til I have a positive test.

NHS websites states a significant rise in core temperature is no good for baby (potential baby in our case)

Risk increases in temp of hot tub/steam room/Sauna is over 35 degrees. I will book my spa day but be sensible about it. I will ask for the room and water temps and use the lowest ones. I will also stay hydrated and not let myself feel faint. I dont think a few mins will cause a significant rise in core temp

JuniperandI · 16/12/2023 08:05

If you're 15/16 dpo then I'd do a test!

Honestly though, life can't stop for 2 weeks out of the month.

Daisies12 · 16/12/2023 08:09

It’s very likely you’d test positive by then. I’ll be about 8-9 dpo at Christmas, I’m going to have one nice glass of red but otherwise stick to AF options. Had a MC this year and I’d drunk a lot the week before I got pregnant so I’m paranoid

shakeitoffsis · 16/12/2023 08:17

Yes bloody enjoy yourselves

cosylife · 16/12/2023 09:22

I got drunk, had a spa day, ate smoked salmon, runny eggs and went to a spin class the month I conceived. The months I tried to go by the book I got BFNs. Enjoy life!

whateveryouwantmetosay · 16/12/2023 19:18

I wouldn't drink after ovulation, as studies has shown that alcohol can affect a fetus pre-implantation (articles in previous post confirm this).

Sodapop1 · 16/12/2023 19:22

It’s a good idea I think to cut down alcohol in general if you’re ttc but I wouldn’t actively avoid it as a one off, life might be miserable otherwise! I would do an early test before you go.

Isitthathardtobekind · 16/12/2023 21:21

heartofglass23 · 15/12/2023 22:32

Alcohol cause most damage in the first few days post conception before a positive pregnancy test.

Absolutely do not drink if you've had unprotected sex until you've had your period.

It does not say this on the nhs website or anywhere else I’ve read. What are your sources?!