Wanted pre TTC Advice pls.

Hi all

Ive been here before, many moons ago.

Hubby and I are finally going to TTC in late January. :dance:

Im wondering if anyone can give me some advice on things I can do now to help conceive future bub.

So far I'm.....

• Taking Folate daily.
• Dont smoke.
• Lost 26kg (more on that in a bit).
• Drink minimal alcohol.

My last planned outting (re alcohol) is Xmas day. We plan on starting after my cycle mid January. That will be approx 1mth.

Re the weight loss, Ive lost 26kg since December 2009, I have 50 more to lose. We would like to start TTC with the intention to continue losing weight.

Is there anything hubby should do? Hes not so forward with being excited but does like to discuss it with me. We do have one of his brothers living with us so doesnt want anything 'obvious' around the house.

I have also started to take more notice of my body and cycle.

Any tips/suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

WBAM

For hubby, the biggest thing I've ever been told is watch the soft drinks, particularly diet ones. The artificial sweetener is actually a sperm killer! So if he MUST keep drinking soft drinks, the full sugar ones are actually more healthy. Apart from that, Menevit will do wonders for him, I think its a once a day thing, so he can keep it at work if he doesn't want it lying around. And nice loose undies :)

For you, it might be an idea to see a naturopath/iridologist/acupuncturist. I've been amazed at the help they've given me, both with weight loss and with fertility. Not cheap, but if you've got private health cover it should help :)

TTC is so exciting (for the first few months! LOL). If I were you I would chart for a month to see where your cycles were at and learn what are your fertile and pre-O symptoms.

Get hubby onto a good multivitamin.

Otherwise, just relax, enjoy christmas, and sex without a purpose :).

hi,

I would talk to a doctor before trying to conceive as wanting to lose 50kg , to be the weight you want, and to continue losing weight whilst pregnant is impossible. ( of course you don't expect drastic weight loss but you will put more on ) also , the health side of things if you need to lose the weight.

Other than that, ( and sorry to be a downer) Goodluck with your ttc journey, Sounds like you have everything else sorted :)

With hubby, I cut out his alcohol intake (what's good for the goose etc) and also ensured he was more hydrated - got him to cut down on caffeine and drink more water-based drinks like cordial. Definately start to chart your cycle now - when we started TTC I had no idea when my fertile times were etc!

Also set yourself some lose "targets". EG - give it 3 months of relaxed TTC before charting temps or using O prediction kits. That way you (hopefully) won't get too stressed and lose the "fun" in TTC!

Good luck! And well done on the weight loss!!!!

Francesca Naish has some good books on what to do to prepare for TTC. She's a naturopath specialising in conception/pregnancy.

One thing I'd recommend is finding out how much heavy metal you have in your body. You'll be surprised. I recently had a hair analysis done and the results are disturbing - things like high levels of aluminium and copper can be detrimental to bub. So i'm trying to get rid of it. Unfortunately, it looks like the copper is in the water, so we're going to have to get really good filters.

Hubby should be on menevit or some other zinc based vitamin. He also needs to cut/reduce alcohol and caffeine. If he's exposed to chemicals at work, he may need to look at that - various chemicals can really damage sperm/DNA.

Get some blood tests done - look for things like Vitamin D levels, zinc, folate. Lots of women are low in vitamin D and you want to get this up before bub is conceived. Also, check for your levels of immunisation to things like rubella, tetanus and whooping cough - you may need a booster before getting pregnant. Your GP should be able to recommend a pre-conception panel. Expect to have 8-10 vials of blood taken.

Eat healthily, exercise a lot, get lots of sleep - all the good things that will benefit both you and bub. Don't freak out if you indulge now and again on something - you don't want to get all resentful.

GL

Thanks for the feeback all.

Hubby was drinking diet soft drink because I do. Hes more than happy to swap to 'full strength' drinks.

He doesnt drink coffee, alcohol or smoke.

He did have a read over my shoulder and is going to get some zinc tablets and said hes happy to let the 'boys' swing in the wind :doh:

We have decided to 'see how it goes' from Jan to April and then start to get more serious about it. I know 4months isnt a long time but this has been on and off since we got married in 2007 lol.

Hi wannabeamumma,

I'm a naturopath graduate and am first time trying to conceive myself. Right TWW but I can tell you abit of my knowledge.:hello:

First congrates on losing excess weight...that is a fabulous start and also keeping track on your cycle. I keep mine in a diary, write down when hubby and I made love and cervical mucus changes. Here are some tips:

Keep up with the light exercise (Hubby too thats a hard one with my man).lol

As you are ,avoid all toxins:eg: Alcohol, coffee, tea, soft drinks, sweetened drinks etc......

Avoid refined carbs and sugar: eg: white flours, sweetened bakery goods, take away etc......

Include fresh fruit and veg in your diet daily, lean meats eg: Chicken, turkey, veal

Include nuts and dried fruit

Include fish in diet 2-3 times a week if possible

Importantly drink plenty of H20, filtered if possible up to 2-3 ltres of water a day (It is alot but it is necessary to keep your fluids up, flush out bodily organs of built up toxins and promote healthy, fertile mucus).

Supplement wise, I would recommend the following:

A good quality pre conception multi vitamin. I have been taking Elevit for four months even while not trying to fall pregnant as the iron level is specific for healthy reproductive system. (Elevit has a new formulation that contains Iodine so best grab this one).

If menstration is irregular, Blackmores Vitex (chaste tree) is amazing, works fast and will regulate your cycle beautifully in most cases.

Your hubby Menevit, everything he needs including zinc in a therapeutic dose with other "sperm" emhancing vitamins. My hubby has been taking it for 4 months also.

Include a quality fish oil supplement

I also recommend Calcium,magnesium and D3, again help with stress of trying to conceive and reduces cramping.

I hope this was helpful and I hope it works for me too.x:ttc:

Curlygirly,

Thank you for your response Ive only just seen it.

:D