What to do before TTC

I am so excited that we have decided that we are going to try for baby number 2 and have lots of questions. When we fell with Miss 3 it was a surprise for many reasons. First of all, I had been told we would need IVF due to the fact I had not been ovulating and have previously had major abdominal surgery so scar tissue was an issue but then also we were actively trying not to with the though of going overseas the next year before starting IVF. So Miss 3 is very much a very welcomed, loved and treasured little girl.

What should I do before TTC? I'm not on the pill, haven't been for years so that's ok. How long should I take vitamins for before trying? What brand of vitamins do you recommend? I took blackmores last time and also had to add iron tablets. Anything else I should be doing?

Thanks in advance x

You can always go to your GP and have a series of bloods taken. They have a standard pre natal test, testing things like iron, MMR antibodies and other things. From memory (its been a while) folate it is adviced to be taken for 3 months pre conception. And just the usual well balanced diet :) Im sure someone else will have an idea on the vitamins.

HTH

If you're planning to go private, check your health cover to see if you're covered. I discovered just in time that I wasn't (I thought I was as that's the main reason I had PHI). They had a 12 month waiting period for birth so we waited 3 months to TTC. As it turned out, it took longer anyway.

I agree with LD above re 3 months for folate pre conception, I think is what is recommended. I took Blackmores Pg & BF and at one point Blackmores Conceive Well instead.

Good luck.

I was going to say what Lily Dust said - see your GP for b/w to test your immunity for things like Rubella at least 3 months before TTC (because you have to wait 3 months after the vaccine) and mine did a heap of others too. I was also told it was best to take folic acid for 3 months prior to conception (in the end, I was on them for almost 4 years by the time DD was conceived, but that's a different story). I started off taking Elevit but switched to the Blackmores Gold when I was pg with DD. I did need to take an additional iron supplement with them when I was pg with DD, but not while TTC (recently had the full set of b/w run and my iron levels are fine).

Thanks everyone, I have booked in for a check up at the doctors. It's such a weird feeling as I have been wanting to start TTC for a while but with moving etc we had put it off until next year. Now it's upon us start to feel nervous but ever so excited.

Congratulations on TTC #2!

I agree with the PPs but thought I'd add that (if you haven't already) now is a great time to learn 'your' body and cycles. Fertility friend is wonderful for learning the basics and tracking it all to make it easier to see patterns etc so you'll be more likely to know what to expect and when once you are actually TTC. Blackmores is meant to be quite good. They have a pg & BFing formula which are gel coated liquid capsules absorbed easily, or a pre-concieve which has both a gel cap and normal (massive) tablet which I don't know how well all women break down and absorb. Apparently the only real difference in the two types is that the pre-concieve has a higher dose of copper so its recommended you switch once pg... Could be a pain if you become pg quickly and 'waste' a pack coz they are expensive??
I really hope it all goes well and you're welcoming another little one next year :)

So we've got elevit with iodine and menevit for hubby. Doctor is booked for Tuesday, hopefully I can get in to see specialist quickly to have my checks and get the ok to start ttc.

Why do you need to see a specialist? My GP ran the pre-conception bloods for me. You usually only see a specialist if you are diagnosed with infertility (after 12 months of TTC) or if you have a known impediment to conception (eg previously diagnosed with PCOS, endo or damaged tubes, etc).

Juniper76, I had my large bowel removed due to stage 2 cancer and supposed to have check ups yearly to make sure everything is still ok. I'm overdue now because I've moved states etc and so need to have the all clear before pregnancy and Breastfeeding.

Oh, that makes sense then. I hope everything is as it should be and you get the all clear. :goodluck:

All the above plus whopping cough vax for yourself and hubby if you havnt had them already