Questions!

[JaderLyon]

I know I'm posting random things everywhere, but hey, when you're anxious to start a family... I'm sure everyone knows what it's like.

Anyway, my doctors are fairly useless and often don't have enough time to go over everything with me (it's what I get for only being able to afford bulk-billing doctors), so, what I need to know is, well, everything!

Do me and DF need to chart my cycle and all that, or can we just, you know, and hope for the best?

Is there anything specific I need to eat/take/do before we start TTC? I know I have to lose some weight (20kg overweight), but other than that?

Is there anything we need to BUY before we start TTC?

I think I'll leave it at that for now... I'm sure many of you have more important things to do!

--Jader

[jamakin]

Hi Jaderlyon,
you really dont 'have' to do anything before ttc, i had a basic check up, had my bloods checked for immunity to measels etc . it is also good to start taking folate, i think its recommended to start 3 months before ttc and during your pregnancy.
imo just give it a go, have fun and enjoy the process

[Dutchie80]

Hi JaderLyon,
Welcome to the business of TTC (trying to conceive), such an exciting time.
As Jamakin suggested it is a good idea to have a general check up at your GP to check for immunity to rubella and just to check that there are no major issues before you TTC. You could also request a day 21 Progesterone test (not essential) which should indicate whether or not you are ovulating. Another good idea to help you pinpoint your O day and increase your chances of 'catching that eggie' is that you might like to have a look at fertility friend ( just google it) you will need to register and you will be able to chart your BBT and cervical mucus to better help you identify when you ovulate as some women don't ovulate bang on 14 days after their menses begin, some a little earlier and some a little later. FF is especially good if you are one of these women that ovulates earlier or later in your cycle.
As far as things you should be taking before TTC, as Jamakin also suggested it's a good idea to take a folate supplement as that's a very important nutrient in pregnancy. I would suggest perhaps starting on elevit- it's specifically designed for pregnancy and lactation and it is very good I've heard nothing but positive things about it. There's also another good one out by Blackmores it's called Conceive Well Gold this is the one I take just because it has a few other goodies in it that the elevit doesn't like fish oil, CoQ10 and iodine. It's a good idea to start a pregnancy supplement in advance to TTC as it can take a little time to build up the nutrients in your body. Regarding what you should be eating, just stick to a healthy, balanced diet and that's about all you should need. There should be nothing that you will need to buy to TTC but if you intend to use fertility friend you will need to get yourself a basal body temperature thermometer, they cost about $60-80 and you can get it from a chemist. Well I think that's about it, if you have any other questions feel free to ask, there are lots of very knowledgeable women on this board.
Perhaps, just start off first by 'having fun' and see how you go but if you're not getting anywhere then you could try some of the above suggestions.
I wish you the very best of luck on your journey to motherhood and I hope when you do begin trying a BFP finds you right away.

[JLeigh29]

Hi!
Just wanted to pop in and say good luck! You should definitely be taking folate. I read something that says when you are ttc you should treat your body as if you're already pregnant. So make sure you eat healthily and cut down on caffeine. No smoking/alcohol (or less!). etc
It's up to you if you want to chart - it can drive you crazy and become an obsession if you let it. You might want to start just by 'having fun' and see how you go from there. Maybe you could at least record your cycle length. That will give you a basic idea of when O day is (around 14 days BEFORE AF) so that you can dtd around that time.
As someone who's been ttc for awhile, I'd start slow and enjoy it for awhile before you stress with temping, CM, OPK's etc