Calling all TTC-ers: What did you do to "prepare"?

[HopefullyMama]

Hey guys, just wondering what you guys all did to prepare for the TTC journey?  We've been talking about TTC for a while, so we had a bit of time to get our ducks in a row.  Did you go on a special diet?  Vow to lose that extra 15 lbs?  Get in a specific work situation before you started?  Did you stick with everything, or did some things "slip" after trying for so many months?  

Here's what we did:

Diet - We both tightened ours up a bit, although we were pretty good before hand.  About 4 months before starting TTC, we stopped buying conventional produce / feed lot meat and processed food -- so really made an effort to stay with only nutrient dense, real foods.  I also started my prenatal vitamins, and quit drinking / cut out caffeine.  Since it's taking way longer than I expected, I've since added booze back in   But only in moderate quantities, and only before ovulation.  Although this month we might be going back to stricter limits on that....we'll see.

Household - About 6 months before trying, we went through our house and made an effort to reduce our (specifically, my) toxic load; got rid of all vinyl (could have lead), switched to strictly non-phthalate, non-paraben, non-other-yucky-stuff personal products, and stopped using chemical cleaning products (we now make our own).  

Exercise - We joined a gym, and started taking long walks together.  That didn't work out so well....turns out we hate the gym  But since then, I've started taking yoga 2x per week and have kept up our walks when we can.  

What did you guys do?  Just curious.  Maybe there's something I forgot that could help!

[Sourire]

Wow it sounds like you made some excellent preparations!

I started taking prenatal vitamins, cod liver oil and 5mg of folic acid about 6 months before I began TTC. And I read a ton of books about pregnancy/birth/babies etc...

Oh yeah and DH and I decided to get married before we started TTC... we considered the option of TTC first but decided it would be easier to get the wedding over with before the kids came along :)

[CDsMom1031]

DH quit smoking and only allows himself 1 44oz. of caffeine a day. He also takes Vitamin C.

I quit smoking, drink NO caffeine, don't eat fast food, and take prenatals and B-Complex.

We both still drink, but only before ovulation and never in excess.

I find it unfair that all of us on this forum have to go through ALL of these life changes just to try for yearsss to make a baby, and there's teenagers out there drinking, smoking, sexing whoever they want, and having drugs and getting pregnant... Multiple times.

Okay, rant over. =D

[ValH]

TTCorC - AMEN! 

As for what we did - I quit drinking caffeine, started drinking herbal tea.  I quit eating feta and other soft cheeses after O, and quit drinking after O.  I started a prenatal vitamin about a year before we started trying.  I also started drinking a lot of water, about 100 ounces a day. 

[LovingBaby]

Do you think caffeine is that bad while ttc?  I love my coffee... and really don't think I can give it up completely.

And confession... I was smoking and drinking lots of coffee when I conceived in the past.  Do you think thats what is missing this time around?  That I don't smoke anymore?  lol  <--- just being silly :D

[kismetbaby]

The healthy living is great practice, not only for pg, but also for parenthood!  Seriously, once they get to a certain age you don't want them seeing you drinking the gallons of soda or smoking or driving through for fast food. It does seem unfair though that some people can be doing everything "wrong" and still get pg quick as a wink.

Here's what I did (and still do now that I have a toddler and am thinking of TTC #2): started taking prenatals and I was taking EPO, although now I take a fish oil instead, cut way back on caffeine intact (I eventually switched my morning cup-a-joe for a cup of black coffee and when I really crave a latte I get it decaf),  made sure to get enough sleep, try to exercise and meditate, keep my alcohol to about 1-2 glasses of wine per week and drink plenty of water.

PS--I personally don't think that all caffeine is bad.  Most OBs and even MWs are comfortable saying that one cup of coffee a day is just fine, but I feel like coffee irritates my system in general so it has been good to make the switch to tea (most of the time).  

[ValH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LovingBaby 

Do you think caffeine is that bad while ttc?  I love my coffee... and really don't think I can give it up completely.

And confession... I was smoking and drinking lots of coffee when I conceived in the past.  Do you think thats what is missing this time around?  That I don't smoke anymore?  lol  <--- just being silly :D

 I don't think caffeine while TTC is bad... but I was drinking four cups of coffee a day, too much really.  The doctor I was seeing at the time was anti-caffeine during pregnancy, so I quit all together when I started trying.  But all of my pregnant friends are drinking one to two cups of coffee per day with doctor's blessings.  I guess it depends on your doctor. 

[toothfairy2be]

All the wonderful things you have done HopefullyMama makes me feel ill prepared for TTC! I should take some hints from you!

We got married 2 years ago, then bought our house a month later and just started TTC, although I've been preparing for a lot longer, DH is just wrapping his head around it now. I started taking prenatal vitamins a year ago, stopped using BC a year ago, I have taken fish oil & multivitamins for a few years but have been more strict about it now. Now I am taking Vitex, Aspirin, B6, and Royal Jelly. Last month I cut out caffeine and fast food, although I have only ever drank black tea in the morning, so I switched to red raspberry leaf- surprisingly, no headaches came from that switch. I almost completely stopped drinking soda and eating fast food. DH and I have run 2 5k's, although I am afraid to run after O... even though I know that isn't logical. I am starting Yoga next month, just once a week but I think it will be good for me. As far as home things go, we haven't changed much, I don't do the cat litter anymore. I try and keep my feet warm--- at the advice of my acupuncturist--- cold feet is a sign of poor circulation back to your reproductive organs.

I don't really see a problem with the caffeine, I only cut it out b/c I wanted to add the RRL tea and the only time I have for it was to replace me normal morning cup of tea. I would love a nice cup of black tea in morning, but I don't miss having headaches on the days I went without!

[HopefullyMama]

cbaa2010 - Do you mind if I inquire about the aspirin?  What is that supposed to do?  I've heard that it has something to do with implantation, but I can't find any real info on it....could you fill me in?  I started soy this cycle, so I'm (fingers crossed) going to have one or two nice, mature eggies floating around in there....it'd be great if I could get them to stick!!    But I don't want to take something that I know nothing about, YKWIM?

And it seems like everyone is for the most part on the non-drinking, lower-caffeine train.  The drinking is probably the hardest part for us.  We really aren't binge drinkers and never have been, but we both LOVE good beer.  My mouth waters thinking of a nice, hoppy IPA....*drool*

Any one do anything work-related?  Tell your boss you were TTC or accept a promotion to try and save up a nest egg?  I'm a nanny so I've told my clients -- only because I know how hard it is to find a good reliable childcare provider and I don't want to leave them stranded.  

What books have you guys read that you liked?  I'm sure we have some readers in this group! 

[toothfairy2be]

Originally Posted by HopefullyMama 

cbaa2010 - Do you mind if I inquire about the aspirin?  What is that supposed to do?  I've heard that it has something to do with implantation, but I can't find any real info on it....could you fill me in?  I started soy this cycle, so I'm (fingers crossed) going to have one or two nice, mature eggies floating around in there....it'd be great if I could get them to stick!!    But I don't want to take something that I know nothing about, YKWIM?

And it seems like everyone is for the most part on the non-drinking, lower-caffeine train.  The drinking is probably the hardest part for us.  We really aren't binge drinkers and never have been, but we both LOVE good beer.  My mouth waters thinking of a nice, hoppy IPA....*drool*

Any one do anything work-related?  Tell your boss you were TTC or accept a promotion to try and save up a nest egg?  I'm a nanny so I've told my clients -- only because I know how hard it is to find a good reliable childcare provider and I don't want to leave them stranded.  

What books have you guys read that you liked?  I'm sure we have some readers in this group! 

From what I have read, it keeps the uterine lining spongy to make it most comfy for a little eggie which would like to implant, and after that keeps the blood thin to reduce clotting, as blood clots in the placenta are the #1 cause of miscarriage. It sounds like it is recommended daily though the first trimester. Just 81mg baby aspirin, I was really skeptical b/c I have a borderline blood disorder and am recommended to avoid aspirin products, but once I passed O I was so desperate to do whatever I can to make it stick, I gave it a try! So far I haven't had any bruising or bloody noses (which I expected), so I'm still taking it. 8 DPO today, tested yesterday- negative of course-, will test again tomorrow or Sunday. It is so hard with all these supplements to know what could be pregnancy symptoms and what are just side effects!!! ::sigh::

I have seen a lot about the soy, I was too far into my cycle to try it this month, what does Soy do?

As far as work-related- I've told a few co-workers, I will only tell my boss & office manager when it is absolutely necessary, I am dental hygienist, so I am booked 6 mos in advance, but I am also exposed to radiation & nitrous oxide, so if I feel I have to tell them to avoid either of those things, I will, until then .

I miss a nice glass of red wine, I was invited out for drinks and dinner with friends tonight, so sad.

I just finished reading Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult, and am halfway through The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls- Both have been very good, and very distracting!--- Anyone have more book recommendations??

[HopefullyMama]

Basically soy is for pre-O (you take it only 5 days during your cycle....some take it CD3-7, others take it 5-9.....I'm taking it 4-8).  It is like "natural" (well, kindof) Clomid, so it's selective estrogen receptor modulator.  It makes the estrogen that you body produces actually DO the stuff it's supposed to -- better EWCM, more and/or better eggs released during O, etc.  The follicular phase of you cycle is run by estrogen, the luteal phase is run by progesterone.  

So it sounds like if I were to take baby aspirin that I would only take that AFTER I O'd?  Right?  So just replace the soy pills with aspirin and maybe maca  I'm trying not to overload myself with too much "new" stuff this cycle.  But we'll see how motivated I get in a few days.  

[toothfairy2be]

Originally Posted by HopefullyMama 

Basically soy is for pre-O (you take it only 5 days during your cycle....some take it CD3-7, others take it 5-9.....I'm taking it 4-8).  It is like "natural" (well, kindof) Clomid, so it's selective estrogen receptor modulator.  It makes the estrogen that you body produces actually DO the stuff it's supposed to -- better EWCM, more and/or better eggs released during O, etc.  The follicular phase of you cycle is run by estrogen, the luteal phase is run by progesterone.  

So it sounds like if I were to take baby aspirin that I would only take that AFTER I O'd?  Right?  So just replace the soy pills with aspirin and maybe maca  I'm trying not to overload myself with too much "new" stuff this cycle.  But we'll see how motivated I get in a few days.  

So I wonder if it wouldn't be recommended to take Soy with Vitex since Vitex is also considered a natural clomid-- although it can take 3 mos to even work, so maybe I should have taken Soy instead, but vitex can increase LP which is what I really need. All of this TTC is so confusing, especially when trying natural medicine.

Aspirin is for just after O as far as I know. I started a few days later b/c I was second guessing myself! I tried not to overload but then I got scared that the one think I left out might have been the answer...

[GuavaGirl]

When I was getting ready to TTC I made a preconception appt with a Naturopath.  I told them I was going to start trying in a few months and that I wanted to get blood work done to test for things important to pregnancy (like iron, ferritin, calcium, folate, etc.)  We also talked nutrition and recommended some high quality supplements.  I'm really glad I did because it gave me peace of mind for some things and it also told me that I needed to work on my ferritin.  

I also thought about things that I would like to do before getting pregnant, like going to counseling about some things, figuring myself out a little more, life goals, etc.  I found it helpful for the months that were a let down.  I would look at my list and think, "well, now I've got more time to work on X."

[TrishWSU]

Originally Posted by LovingBaby 

Do you think caffeine is that bad while ttc?  I love my coffee... and really don't think I can give it up completely.

And confession... I was smoking and drinking lots of coffee when I conceived in the past.  Do you think thats what is missing this time around?  That I don't smoke anymore?  lol  <--- just being silly :D

I personally don't think caffeine is bad while TTC or during pregnancy, as long as it's kept in moderation (1-2 cups of coffee vs 10!) I usually get so constipated in the first tri that every few days drinking a cup of coffee is the only thing that helps! I'm usually more strict about avoiding it while breastfeeding because I can definetly tell it has an effect on the baby.

 

Originally Posted by TTCChloeOrConner 

I find it unfair that all of us on this forum have to go through ALL of these life changes just to try for yearsss to make a baby, and there's teenagers out there drinking, smoking, sexing whoever they want, and having drugs and getting pregnant... Multiple times.

Okay, rant over. =D

That is very much part of the reason why I became a surrogate. *I* could be one of those women who go get totally boozed and drugged up, have a one night stand with a complete stranger and end up pregnant yet there are so many amazing women out there who are doing everything right and trying so hard to get pregnant (and/or stay pregnant) that it just seems so unfair. So, since I can't literally lend my uterus to someone else for 9 months, I provide a nice safe place for their baby to grow.

In general, at least 3 months before TTC I try to cut down on caffiene intake to 1-2 cups of coffee a day, take my multi-vit daily (it has 800 mg folic acid, same as a prenatal,) clean up/cut out junk from my diet, and just overall try to be healthy/healthier if I've been slipping :)
 

[Sol_y_Paz]

Finished degrees, bought a house, got diet healthy, never drank or smoke so that wasn't an issue, I lost weight, took supplements, changed out products to less chemicals, etc.  We were ready some time ago to be parents in terms of emotions but not fully ready in terms of other things.  

[Attached2Elijah]

Originally Posted by HopefullyMama 
So it sounds like if I were to take baby aspirin that I would only take that AFTER I O'd?  Right?  So just replace the soy pills with aspirin and maybe maca  I'm trying not to overload myself with too much "new" stuff this cycle.  But we'll see how motivated I get in a few days.  

No... you take baby aspirin the entire cycle. You could probably skip during AF but after that, if you want it to help your lining, you need to be taking it. I take it all cycle. Seems to cause less clots during AF as well.

[HopefullyMama]

Thank you A2E!!!   I took it last cycle, but only after cycle day 16.  It did not work.  Let's hope it works this time...I'm just finishing up my period.  

Thank you again.

[toothfairy2be]

Thanks A2E, I also heard it was for just after O, I'll start taking it all cycle next month if I need to!

[femmeknitzi]

This is a great thread! I love reading about all the steps everyone is taking!

Our first step was coming to peace with the fact that we're never really going to be as ready as we'd like. We kept waiting for the finances to be perfect and to have the perfect house, etc. But I'm turning 30 next month and my husband is 35 and we want 2-3 kids so, yeah. It's just time to get going. We have steady jobs, a great support system and I know we'll be okay.

That said, we have started to do some things to prepare. I started taking vitamins, folic acid and started to exercise regularly to prepare my body for what I hope is a natural birth.

We're planning to go ahead and get our names on waiting lists at local daycare centers where the wait can be anywhere from 1-2 years for infants. If anyone knows ANYTHING about daycare centers in the Oklahoma City area, PLMK!

I've also been reading about cloth diapering and wow, there's a lot to learn there! I've also been reading books on parenting and making plans for how we're going to change the house to make room for a baby and all the stuff that comes along with it. And of course, trying to prepare DH for all the ways a baby will change our lives! :)