What worked?

[basilsenia]

Just a curious question - I'm on the TTC route (and have been for a few years) ... I've finally got my shit together and have stopped smoking (6 months ago) and I'm 20lbs down on my weight (I was about 3-4stone overweight) ... I was just wondering does this stuff actually make a difference?

Anyone have any personal experiences that they care to share?

I didn't smoke, but I stopped drinking altogether. I lost weight (although I was still overweight when I got pregnant), and paid attention to my diet. Same for my partner. I tracked my cycle as well. I have no idea if any of that made any difference but I fell pregnant quickly both times that we were actively trying.

I tracked my cycle and did eventually fall on one of the very few days we had sex during ovulation (partner works away a lot!) personally I didn't want to get obsessive about it but I do think it helped.

I also tried to just relax more; But I understand how frustrating it can be told to do that!

I have pcos so cycles were all over the place. I found excercise and watching my diet especially sugar and bread made a difference and I had a few regular periods before I got pregnant this time. Took 18 months whith my first. I also used an app to track my periods and ovulation symptoms.

Ovulation sticks, the digital monitor which cost about £30. I was ovulating at funny times so we kept missing it by accident (not up for every day sex) but a month after those and I was knocked up!

Reduction in stress. I was miserable in my job, got a lucky break and was seconded elsewhere. I was so relieved. It was around Christmas and we were distracted so didn't "try" properly that month, forgot opks etc. It was the first month in ages we hadn't focused on trying and suddenly I was pregnant. I really think the lifting of stress helped me.

We tried for 5 years and nothing happened. I started smoking, went on an all inclusive holiday where i was drinking loads and put on loads of weight and yet we conceived..now 39 weeks pregnant! Just chill out I'd say (unless you have a proven reason that you haven't conceived i.e endometriosis etc) good luck OP.

I wasn't up for the sex everyday thing throughout the cycle so opks were the tool I used to pinpoint ovulation. I used the cheap ones from amazon or eBay.