If you had 3 months to prepare to TTC, how would you best use them?

[NW3Lady]

If you looking to start trying over the summer for a baby from next spring onwards, how would you use the time between now and then to prepare?

Start taking folic acid.
Minimise stress
Sleep well
Just generally take care of yourself if you’re not already.

Folic acid and coenzyme q 10 supplements. It apparently supports with efficient cell division right at conception.

To be honest I wouldn’t ! I did everything to prepare my first pregnancy it took 3 years and I think this was because I over prepared over stressed etc ! Good luck when you do start trying xxx

Have fun, get sleep. Ride's about to get rough...

Sorry to hear. Sounds like you did end up with three eventually though.

I’m in the same boat about to start ttc my second. I flit between having as much wine / caffiene as possible to enjoy my last few months of freedom, and trying to cut sugar, take folic acid / vitamin d / vitamin c and work out a bit.

I conceived my first the week I completed couch 2 5k so maybe I should do that again!

I'd probably get started now. It took us a year to realise we were affected by infertility. I kept thinking 'oh we'll be pregnant by X date' and then we just never were.

What I did though, personally, before starting to 'try', was say yes to every night out, holiday and invitation and have as much fun as possible.

But thinking sensibly - folic acid, vitamin D, reducing alcohol, and eating less processed food.

Shagging.

I would read a book called 'it starts with the egg'. It was so informative for me. A fantastic book.
Also, get lots of lazy mornings, breakfast in bed etc, while you still can 😁

Going out, making spontaneous plans, booking a city break.

Lots of useful info here that covers the basics of what you want to be doing: www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/planning-a-pregnancy/are-you-ready-conceive

Lose weight if needed. That's absolutely the one thing I wish I had done. Everything was absolutely fine but it would have been more comfortable and less medicated if I had done.

Saving for childcare.

Oh also three months is approximately how long sperm takes to develop, so what your partner does over the next three months is equally as important as what you do: www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/planning-a-pregnancy/are-you-ready-to-conceive/how-improve-male-fertility

Is there a reason to wait three months ? I wouldn't necessarily wait, if you want a baby, then get going
Otherwise take folic acid

Cut out alcohol and caffeine. No smoking/ vaping. Switch hardcore/ strenuous exercise for gentle exercise - brisk walking/ gentle jogging and Pilates.
Hope it all goes brilliantly!

It takes a healthy couple on average 12 months to conceive. Is there a reason you’re waiting to try until the summer? Other than trying to time it from spring next year? Will you stop trying when it means the months line up for a winter baby?

Otherwise; get yourself on folic acid and take pre pregnancy vitamins?

You don’t need to change your exercise routine even while pregnant let alone 3 months before starting to try.

Take a fertility supplement but not folic acid- take something with l-methylfolate as its more bioavailable
quit smoking and cut down on drinking- general better lifestyle changes exercise etc
track your periods for ovulation
seed cycling
coq10 enzyme

train your mind to think it will take a while to get pregnant!

but be mindful that you can do these things and still live your life and have fun, less stressing more relaxing and dont let it pause/momentarily take away the little things in life (especially in every two week wait) take those trips, have fun, dont put pressure on yourself (unavoidable at times) but hopefully it doesnt take you long to fall pregnant x

That's not quite accurate-- more that an average healthy couple will conceive within twelve months. After a certain age (I think 35?) it's recommended to speak to your GP if six months without success.

Nutrition for you and him. Sleep. Maybe some fasting to get your cells in good shape. Eating for your cycle if it's not dead regular.

Given that this is MN I'd say spend the next 3 months being damn sure that this is the man you want to have babies with. Look at your life and try to genuinely equalise all tasks including the responsibility and planning, if he doesn't step up it will only get worse.

Have a solid look at your work situation and how you and your partner will manage pregnancy sickness, childcare, child sickness, child events such as school assemblies and the level of career progression that you want during the next 10 years. You don't have to set everything in stone, but this is the time when you have all of the flexibility to plan and prepare for the family life that you want.

Second one for reading “it starts with the egg” x

Thank you. Those asking the reason for waiting…

I already have a six month-old and 18 months is the absolute minimum age gap I feel I could cope with! You’ll all start telling me to wait even longer now…

Never heard of seed cycling before. Thanks for this.