How should I prepare for TTC?

[Anonymous]

OP -what is DH doing to prepare? It’s not just you.

[Anonymous]

In addition to the advice previously given, don't turn sex into a chore. You will burn DH out and it will not be fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would (1) start taking a prenatal vitamin, and (2) go off hormonal birth control and switch to condoms until you're ready to actively try. For me, after being on the pill for a decade, it took months for it to fully leave my system and fertility to return. Once that happened, I got pregnant quickly. I also liked tracking my BBT because with two pregnancies it let me realize I was pregnant sooner and I fgelt like I really go to know my body and my cycle to plan trying.

This is the only same advice on here. The issue is that of course you can’t know how fertile you will or won’t be until you try unless you undergo extensive fertility testing which may be totally unnecessary if you’re fertile. We got pregnant immediately, and I know it sounds silly but I was shocked and we weren’t ready because it took months to years and often fertility treatments for everyone I know. You just don’t know until you try.

So I agree with taking 2 months to get healthy and take prenatals because it takes months for the nutrients to build up in your body and your store of these essential nutrients is most important in the first few weeks of pregnancy for preventing birth defects like spina bifida.

Then just get to it. If you can avoid fertility testing by trying for a few months earlier than planned all the better. Make appointments but try immediately.

[Anonymous]

Oh and get a TempDrop armband and a tracker app to passively track ovulation. That thing was amazing and super accurate and I didn’t have to think about temping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would (1) start taking a prenatal vitamin, and (2) go off hormonal birth control and switch to condoms until you're ready to actively try. For me, after being on the pill for a decade, it took months for it to fully leave my system and fertility to return. Once that happened, I got pregnant quickly. I also liked tracking my BBT because with two pregnancies it let me realize I was pregnant sooner and I fgelt like I really go to know my body and my cycle to plan trying.

This is the only same advice on here. The issue is that of course you can’t know how fertile you will or won’t be until you try unless you undergo extensive fertility testing which may be totally unnecessary if you’re fertile. We got pregnant immediately, and I know it sounds silly but I was shocked and we weren’t ready because it took months to years and often fertility treatments for everyone I know. You just don’t know until you try.

So I agree with taking 2 months to get healthy and take prenatals because it takes months for the nutrients to build up in your body and your store of these essential nutrients is most important in the first few weeks of pregnancy for preventing birth defects like spina bifida.

Then just get to it. If you can avoid fertility testing by trying for a few months earlier than planned all the better. Make appointments but try immediately.

If you are going to take those steps months in advance (not a bad idea) then make sure your husband is on board and doing his part too. No marijuana, minimal alcohol intake, exercise, but not extreme - and no biking (for obvious reasons), multivitamins, good hydration & sleep. Etc.

And definitely take him in to get him tested before you start. His urologist or your fertility specialist can order this. Even LabCorp offers testing one time per month.

[Anonymous]

What does it mean that lab corp offers testing once a month? Is there more info on that? Thanks

[Anonymous]

Wow, people really freaking out on this page.

The reality is, everyone is different.

I got accidentally pregnant at 38 (will be 39 when I deliver) having sex exactly 1 time in the relevant month on cycle day 6! I’d never been pregnant before (was RELIGIOUS about birth control).

I will say, if you’re on the pill, stop IMMEDIATELY. I am clearly somewhat fertile and still took me 3 months to get my period back.

If your period is regular (and mine had been for YEARS before I got pregnant), that’s a ver good sign. If it’s not regular, you should figure out why.

Everything else is gravy- sure, take the vitamins, be healthy etc. But having a regular period is SUPER helpful to getting pregnant naturally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would (1) start taking a prenatal vitamin, and (2) go off hormonal birth control and switch to condoms until you're ready to actively try. For me, after being on the pill for a decade, it took months for it to fully leave my system and fertility to return. Once that happened, I got pregnant quickly. I also liked tracking my BBT because with two pregnancies it let me realize I was pregnant sooner and I fgelt like I really go to know my body and my cycle to plan trying.

This is the only same advice on here. The issue is that of course you can’t know how fertile you will or won’t be until you try unless you undergo extensive fertility testing which may be totally unnecessary if you’re fertile. We got pregnant immediately, and I know it sounds silly but I was shocked and we weren’t ready because it took months to years and often fertility treatments for everyone I know. You just don’t know until you try.

So I agree with taking 2 months to get healthy and take prenatals because it takes months for the nutrients to build up in your body and your store of these essential nutrients is most important in the first few weeks of pregnancy for preventing birth defects like spina bifida.

Then just get to it. If you can avoid fertility testing by trying for a few months earlier than planned all the better. Make appointments but try immediately.

Just FYI though, this is definitely overkill and dont freak out if you dont take prenatals for months before getting preg. Unless you eat a super unearthly diet, you are getting sufficient nutrients for the downside scenarios. There is a reason spina bifida is much rarer in US than other countries. Our diets are fortified w folate. So sure do it if you can, but it’s def not worth delaying to ‘build up nutrients’ - that’s not a thing, btw.

[Anonymous]

Start right now. You have a very advanced maternal age, which I know sounds harsh but it's true. All PP's are correct. The clock is ticking and you do not have a minute to waste.

[Anonymous]

In addition to all the great advice you’ve received, get up to date on ALL healthcare. I got a skin check before TTC the second time, and they caught something precancerous. That could have been a heartbreaking situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Improve your diet now - more fruits and vegetables. No alcohol. Limit caffeine and sugar. Eat homemade and warm foods - got that from a TCM doctor. Also, exercise regularly.

Agree with this. It really goes back to the basics. Sleep 7-8 hours a night, lower stress, eat nutritiously, get movement in, drink water, limit the bad stuff (sugar, alchohol, etc).

I'd also add to get your hormonal levels checked. Suggest taking a quality prenatal now, Vit D, and CoQ10. And start charting your cycle to confirm you are already ovulating consistently.