Avoiding things while TTC?

[SterlingsGold]

I hope this is the right topic to post this in as it’s more about preparing for ttc rather than actively ttc, apologies if it’s not.

I am 35 and would like to start ttc (would be first child). I’ve been off hormonal contraception for 2 years. I have a pretty good idea of my cycle. It’s a regular 26 days and judging by CM and other signs I do seem to ovulate each month.

My plan is to ‘see what happens’ for a few months then move into more determined ovulation testing and tracking etc if required. I’ve been taking folic acid/multi vitamin and have lost weight to get toward a healthier BMI.

My question is around behaviour while ttc. We’ve got a lot on socially at the moment and while I’ve not been going crazy, I’ve not been avoiding alcohol. I know I shouldn’t but I occasionally vape if things are particularly stressful at work (unfortunately quite often at the moment).

I’m panicking that the sushi, wine etc from this weekend will have an effect if I were to conceive this month? I’m aware I may be massively overthinking it, as people are often unaware they are pregnant for a while and go on to have healthy pregnancies, but given that I am wanting to conceive should I start avoiding these things now?

TLDR- did you carry on ‘as normal’ in regard to drinking, eating, nicotine while ttc? Or did you avoid things while ttc in case you convinced?

You don’t share a bloodstream with an embryo until past the point where you would have a clear positive pregnancy test, so nothing that you do now should affect the baby in the event that you do conceive (provided you’re testing promptly at the right point in your cycle).

That said, vaping in particular can affect your chances of conceiving, so it’s a habit worth trying to kick. Eating sushi is to do with the potential effects of food poisoning on the foetus, so no need to avoid until you’re actually pregnant. I haven’t stopped drinking whilst trying to conceive - or rather, I did for a while but it’s been 22 cycles for me now with no luck so after a while I decided that the pleasure I got from the odd glass of wine with friends wasn’t something I wanted to sacrifice indefinitely. Basically a good rule to apply is that, prior to a positive test, take it easy on any habits which are generally considered unhealthy whether you’re TTC or not. Good luck!

You might get different opinions here but I personally think that until you’ve been ttc for a year and nothings happened you shouldn’t worry too much about cutting anything out whilst ttc. Whilst I wouldn’t go crazy on the alcohol you can absolutely have a couple of glasses and not feel any guilt. Enjoy the sushi, steak and what not now. If you have a regular cycle then you will soon know when you need to stop when you see them 2 lines on a positive test.

You are doing the right thing making yourself healthy and taking your folic acid. One thing I will say is if your multivitamin contains vitamin A then swap that out once you find out you’re pregnant.

Thanks very much for replying, that does put my mind at rest a bit.

Agree with PPs, don’t worry too much about it.

You’ll drive yourself mad if you try and avoid all the normal things you enjoy for two weeks every month. Plus it can make things socially a bit awkward if you keep avoiding drinks etc (eg will people just ask if you’re pregnant - you might feel happy telling people you’re trying to be healthy or say you’re TTC but if you’re not it might make you feel awkward?).

It is worth generally looking after yourself and trying to limit alcohol/give up vaping as being as healthy as possible will likely help you conceive, but I don’t think you need to avoid having a couple of glasses of wine in your TWW.