Basic conception guidelines for those new to TTC.

[PumpkinZulu]

So after spending a few months shy of 2 years TTC, I've had a fair few TTC related queries, so I thought I'd start this thread for others new to TTC with all the basic questions and guidelines answered. Feel free to add your own tips and advice for basic TTC for beginners

-You will not be able to get a bfp until AT LEAST 10 days after conception, also known as 10 days past ovulation (dpo). Testing at 3dpo for example will result in a definate bfn. People have been known to get positives before 10dpo, but a good general rule to follow to avoid disapointment is to test until at least after 10dpo.

-It's always best to test with first morning urine (fmu). This is because the concentration of hcg (preggy hormone) is the strongest first thing in the morning.

-Sperm can last 5ish days after sex, so it IS possible to conceive 5 days before ovulation, as is it possible to conceive a day after. You will alway here of people who go either side of these days, and you may be one, but there is a possibility of conception 5 days before or a day after O.

-If you have been on hormonal contraception for an extended period of time before TTC, it can affect how soon your cycle will regulate itself. I say 'regulate' instead of 'get back to normal', because your cycle may be different after being on hormonal contraception for a while. Because you had a 28 day cycle pre-the pill doesn't mean you will afterwards. It's very normal to have longer cycles after coming off the pill, as is it to have cramps, mid cycle spotting etc. You probably haven't had PMS in a while so your body is still getting used to it's natural reactions to it's menstrual cycle.

-Pregnancy is counted in weeks from your last menstrual period (lmp). This is based on a textbook cycle, of 28 days with ovulation on cycle day (cd) 14 and a 14 day luteal phase (lp). A luteal phase is the time between ovulation and when your (hopefully) blastocyst will make it's way down your Fallopian tubes, into your uterus and (again hopefully) implant. Implantation occurs normally around 7dpo. But it's different for everyone. Your cycle length, luteal phase and ovulation date may not be textbook and this is totally normal!

-The position you have sex in doesn't really matter too much, I promise So just make sure you're comfortable!

-And remember, an average healthy couple can expect to be pregnant within 12 months! This is the golden time to seek medical intervention and help, although depending on age etc many couples seek this help at 6 months.

That's all I can think of atm, but I'm sure I will remember a few more! Feel free to add your own, (remember for TTC for beginners lol) and I hope a lot of people new to TTC can read this and feel reassured. Good luck on your journey, hopefully soon you will be holding your bubba in your arms!

[corolla_chick]

great thread!! thanks pz

[PumpkinZulu]

-Spotting after ovulation may be indicative of implantation bleeding...I never had it but my rule was if it was after ovulation but before 10dpo Id get excited for implantation, and afterwards I'd prepare myself for the possibility that it was af arriving earlier than expected (shorter lp) until proven otherwise.

[Indadhanu]

LOL now, if only there was some way to get everyone to read this before posting But then we'd have a pretty quite TTC board wouldn't we

[PumpkinZulu]

Lol exactly! Just thought I'd attempt to make a one stop answers place hehe. I used to trawl the boards so hopefully others will too

[buffy1]

This is great, thank you PZ

[Cranky Kitten]

Really really helpful - thanks

I don't think we'd really have a quiet board though, there's far to many of us who like to discuss all those random weird things our bodies are doing that confuse the heck out of us once we start paying attention to them *grin*

[LimeSlice]

You forgot the most important rule PZ!

You must always be drunk and not trying when you do conceive ;p

[PumpkinZulu]

And relax, stop trying, take a holiday... Not.

[TeniBear]

Here's one I thankfully never had to use myself, but know about by reading the TTC boards...

Read up on common things people say when they're trying to be nice that can actually be offensive to some people (ie - It'll happen if you just relax) so you can be prepared if/when they're said to you

[Mum2Romone]

You forgot the most important rule PZ!

You must always be drunk and not trying when you do conceive ;p

Worked for us

[lozzy_mac]

Great idea pumpkin!

here are my tips

*For standard TTC, the only thing that really works is to have a lot of sex make it fun!

*Having said that, the sperm supply can apparently get exhausted so every 2-3 days is maybe a good idea. If you know when you ovulate you can go for broke for a few days but its always possible you're wrong so lots of "baby dancing" right through your cycle is the best bet.

*Try try try not to obsess during the "two week wait". The things you read will make you think that your body sends all these signals the moment the sperm and the egg meet but thats just not true. Your body doesnt even know you're pregnant for the first week and a half or so. You'll know soon enough, overanalysing every symptom will really do your head in.

*Charting is the best way to send yourself insane, but if you're anything like me, you'll do it anyway. Just don't say we didn't warn you!

*Not that many people actually ovulate on day 14 after their period starts. And even if your cycle is a consistent length, ovulation doesn't even always happen 14 days before your period. (My 'luteal phase'- the period between ovulation and menstruation- was only ever 10 days)

*remember that no amount of overanalysing, obsessing, worrying, reading, or even knowing, can actually change whats going on inside your body. It will take as long as it takes. Be gentle with yourself and use this as an opportunity to live in the healthiest and calmest way you can.

*Join a TTC buddies group, mine got me through a lot. We sure have some great girls on here!

[CharlieBrownGirl]

Here are some useful products:

Evening Primrose Oil: to help increase EWCM. Taken from AF to O.

Vitex: to help regulate and/or lengthen LP. Varying information exists when to take it. If taking without medical advice (i.e Naturopath, TCM), I chose to take it from AF to O.

Pre-seed: Best described by the Preseed Australian website “Pre-Seed® provides moisture when it really counts! Pre~Seed® does not contain a spermicide and may be used even when trying to conceive - - a time when some couples experience increased vaginal dryness due to stress or other contributing factors. Some lubricants may contain a spermicide and therefore should be avoided whilst trying to conceive.”

Lunar Fertility: Something that I’ve found really interesting. Check out the AU website ‘Menstruation’

Natural Fertility Information: Website - natural-fertility-info dot com. Explores natural products that can be taken to increase fertility and overall well-being.

Natural Fertility Information: Book - The Complete Guide to Avoiding Or Achieving Conception by Francesca Naish. Covers many aspects of fertility. Highly recommended.

[PumpkinZulu]

[CharlieBrownGirl]

You forgot the most important rule PZ!

You must always be drunk and not trying when you do conceive ;p

Yes, that appears to be the consensus when I asked the question here

[ElleJay]

And relax, stop trying, take a holiday... Not.

We concieved DS on our honeymoon
But, funnily enough, we'd decided to wait till after the honeymoon to try again (we'd been TTC 14 months before that - then had a 2 month break from April to June and that was the only exception)

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

EWCM, or "egg white cervical mucus" is RAW egg-white consistency. Not cooked, poached, boiled, fried... it's raw. (Took me best part of a year to figure that one out.) And the little bugger doesn't show up every cycle - don't stress, you can still conceive without it.

Pretty much every early pregnancy sign can exist with the smallest amount of imagination - wait until your period hasn't shown up before you test and don't think that getting a virus or eating a dodgy bit of fish is a pregnancy sign!

[Melbournemumma]

-Sperm can last 5ish days after sex, so it IS possible to conceive 5 days before ovulation, as is it possible to conceive a day after. You will alway here of people who go either side of these days, and you may be one, but there is a possibility of conception 5 days before or a day after O.

I'll testify to this one. Dh and I had sex 5 days before I ovulated when I conceived cupcake and that was it. He then left and went away for 7 weeks. 2 weeks later low and behold a for us!!! So, as pz said it is possible to conceive this far away from your o day!!

Good luck ttc