ADVICE NEEDED: Getting ready to concieve

[J-LO]

Hi everyone, I am new to forum posting thing and in need of some advice (hope I am writing this in the right forum). I dont have any close female family members to get this advice from....

I had been on the pill for 13 years til I decided to go off it in december to allow my body time to recover before TTC in July. Plus with my family history of pregnancies (mother took 13 years to get pregnant and had MANY miscarriages, sister took 18months with first baby), I was starting to worried about not falling pregnant.

I went to the doctor today to get some advice about vitamins and supplements (when to start) and asked about a blood test to check what ever it is that I'm supposed to get checked. But the doctor was really unhelpful. She looked at me blankly and muttered "mmm" "mmm". So I am back to the start again....unsure of what I should be doing to prepare my body.

Although my husband and I are planning to start trying in July, we are not being super careful during sex. SO I am wondering should I just start taking the supplements (folate?) just in case. Can you take too much (as in if I start now and we really start in july, am I overdosing my system)?

I just need help from others who have done this or are going through this. Its hard with no mother or mother-in-law around.

Thanks so much

[Miss.September]

Hi and welcome!

I remember the directions for the supplements I was taking that said to have them for three months prior to TTC, so if you start on them now, I can't see that it's a problem. Hope that helps!

Enjoy the forum and good luck with TTC!

[Manhattan]

Hi J-LO and welcome to BellyBelly! You will find it to be a great source of information, and a great support!

Your Dr does sound most unhelpful. I know there are definitely pre conception tests you can do. Especially to check your rubella immunity amongst others. I would definitely see another Dr, perhaps one who specialises in womens care.

You might want to look at a Pre Conception Multi Vitamin, something done by both Blackmores and Swisse. Or you could even start taking Breastfeeding & Pregnancy vitamins. All of these have all the necessary vitamins for both you and a baby.

You might also want to think about cutting back on alcohol, caffeine and cigarettes if you have a weak spot for any of these

Good luck with your ttc journey, I hope it is short and sweet

[~ Mylitta ~]

Hi and welcome to the forum. You must be super excited about starting on your journey to motherhood

Sorry to hear that your doctor was unhelpful. Not all doctors will send you for bloods (because after a pregnancy is confirmed you'll probably be sent for more), but you can have blood taken to check your rubella immunity level, Hep C immunity, iron levels, check for ant STI's (sexually transmitted diseases) and possibly a few other things. Definitely start taking folic acid supplements now. It's often recommended to take them up to 6 months before conception. It would be very hard to take too much because the extra just gets eliminated through your urine. Find a good conception/pregnancy vitamin supplement and you should get everything you need. Once pregnant your Vit D level will probably get checked and it's common for it to be low and for you to be put in Vit D supplements too.

I hope your journey is a quick and happy one for you! Good luck with everything


EDIT: I was typing slowly one-handed because my daughter is in my other arm, and people posted quicker than me, hehe. Just wanted to say that Manhattan's advice to cut back on the "nasties" is also a great idea!

[J-LO]

Thanks for your replies...

I am trying to source a good DR at the moment- this one was new to the surgery I go to. Wont be seeing her again!

I'm not a regular drinker (maybe a glass of wine every now and then), a non-smoker, I have been eating really healthy and going to the gym 4 + times a week to get my body in prime order for a baby.

I am thinking I will go to the chemist and chat to the pharmacist tomorrow about the supplements- I have heard of the Pregnancy and Breastfeeding one from a pregnant friend.

Hoping all goes well!

[EiffelTower]

Hi J-Lo,

I am in the same boat as you. I have been on the pill for 10 years and am planning to start ttc in July. I went my Dr. on Monday and he recommended a blood test (which i had done the same day) and start taking either Elevit or blackmores pregnancy vitamins at least 1 month prior to ttc.

Apparently testing me for Iron, Rubella, and a bunch of other stuff I didnt know the codes for! Fingers crossed for a short ttc journey for you!

[peanutter]

welcome, and good luck

I started on Folate (just one a day) and calcuium (two per day) and iron (once a day)

I also got the Drs to check out whether any of my immunisations had expired, to see whether I needed any redone (especially Rubella) prior to pregnancy, as I didn't want to have any immunisations while pg, just in case.

I think I ended up just having a tetnus booster, and the others were all still current (I was surprised!)

I also got into the habit of not eating things I wouldn't be able to eat while pg (just the main ones - alcohol, soft cheeses, sushi, deli food, etc..)

good luck!