TTC next month

[jeslynn]

Hey guys! My husband and I have finally decided that in November we will be attempting to TTC! We're both THRILLED! I do have a few questions though, if you don't mind.

Both pregnancies before this we got pregnant the first month of trying. My period was always on time back then. Now it varies a few days sometimes. I'm using Fertility Friend....but should I buy those ovulation sticks? How does taking the temp work?

I am about 40 lbs heavier than I was when I got pregnant the first times. I have lost about 50lbs in the past 7 months though. Will that greatly influence my conceiving?

What are the wives tales to have a girl? We're hoping for a girl this time (but we'd be happier with either) and so we'd like to do what we can to help.

Thanks guys! This is all so crazy. It's been so long!

[Sourire]

I highly recommend the book Taking Charge of your Fertility by Toni Weschler... it answers almost all the questions you just asked! I am on my 3rd month TTC and I just finished re-reading this book, it is really great.

Good luck with your TTC, I hope you get it on the first try again!

[LivingSky]

I take my temperature each morning when I wake up and record it in FF. It has helped me a LOT in knowing when I ovulate. I don't use ovulation predictors tests because peeing on a stick makes me stress out enough at the end of the two week wait - I think doing it mid cycle too would just push me over the edge! LOL But if you're someone with unclear temperatures, they might help.

I'm someone with very inconsistent waking times because of DH's erratic work schedule. So I just temp whenever I first wake up in the morning. If that's 5am or 7am or 9am, then so be it - that's when I do it. It makes my charts a bit inconsistent, but I can still definitely tell when I ovulate, and so I don't stress about it.

I know weight loss and weight gain can definitely impact TTC, but I believe what it comes down to is simply trying to be at a healthy weight, and healthy in general. My doctor recommended I lose 10 lbs to help with my fertility - and I definitely agree that at 10 lbs lighter I would be a lot healthier. So I'm trying But that 10 lbs certainly wouldn't make me skinny (it wouldn't even get me into the "overweight" category on the BMI) but it would get me feeling better.

Wow, after all that rambling, I think my point was that being 40 lbs heavier than before might not be a bad thing as long as your body feels healthy

About TTC a girl, I know there are methods to trying to influence sex of a child, but I haven't gone that road yet. Maybe Google it and see what you find?

[ValH]

Congrats on TTC again!

As far as taking temps, I take whenever I first wake up (some people set alarms, but I just do when I wake up). I record it in FF (Fertility Friend), and whenever I see a temp jump, I know I've ovulated. The bad thing about temping is that it only tells you AFTER you O, not before. That's why I use the OPKs. I generally get a positive OPK a day or two before I O, so it gives me a heads up to get busy. To start with I just did the BBT charting, but the longer it's taken me, I figure the more information I have, the better my odds. So just do whatever you're comfortable with, you can always add more "tools" down the road if needed.

I don't have any answers about the weight to TTC based on gender.

Good luck, I hope you get your BFP really soon!

[Kinza]

I second the motion to read Taking Charge of Your Fertility--it really lays out all the information you need in simplistic terms.

I use OPKs sort of to reassure myself that I am interpreting my fertility signs correctly since my ovulation date varies a lot month-to-month. They are not really necessary for many people if you check cervical fluid and position, but they are a nice, quick tool.

I think you also asked about how temping works--it shows after the fact if you have or have not ovulated. I take my temp at 5 am each morning (when my husband gets up for work). I take it at the same time on the weekends and just go back to sleep after the thermometer beeps.

Good luck!

[incorrigible]

does it matter what time of day you take your temp? or is it just important to make sure you're consistent? Is it any better or worse to be consistently taking it in the mornings versus afternoons or evenings?

[ValH]

You should take your temp first thing in the morning, after three hours of restful sleep. Fertility Friend has lots of info on how to take your temp and chart it.