I had a year's wait before we started TTC. It seemed like the longest year ever but I do have some advice. While waiting I found it helpful to write a list of things we needed to accomplish before we started TTC. It night not even be baby related, you might want to save X amount of dollars or finish a home improvement project or go on a nice vacation. All of those were on my list and it was nice to mark them off as we accomplished them. It made me feel like I was moving forward and doing SOMETHING to get to the TTC stage.
1) I third the charting suggestion. It's so important to understanding when you O. Even if you put it away when you start TTC you'll have a lot more insight. Every woman's body is different and you need to get to know yours.
2) Both you and your DP should get a full physical including a gyn checkup for both. This was a priority for us, we even paid out of pocket for DW's. We wanted to make sure both of us were in good health before we brought a new life into the world.
3) Get yourself ready. Cut the caffiene, alcohol, drugs, etc out or at least reduce them and start taking a pre-natal.
4) Enjoy the time you have now. I know it's so hard to stay in the present, I was there, but really try to enjoy the alone time you and your partner have right now. Your lives are about to change dramatically and you want to make sure you both are in a good place as individuals and as a couple. Plus not thinking too much about TTC, for me, made the time go by faster.
5) Pick up a good book. I love reading about pregnancy and TTC while I was waiting. I did research on cloth dipes, schooling options, attachment parenting, etc. Just be careful because now that we're trying I don't want to look at anyting baby related. But some of the really cool books I read were Stephaine Brill's Lesbian Pregnancy book, Rachel Pepper's pregnancy book, and the taking charge of your fertility book frog reccommended.
6) Enjoy your hobbies and don't put them aside when you start TTC. As hard as this is going to sound, you're probably not going to get pregnant the first time. This was the hardest part for me because I thought, "I've waited a year already, I'm ready for my kid now, please." We'll five months later and we're still trying. Know and expect that this may not happen within the first few tries. With that said I needed something else as a distraction and my hobbies have really come to my rescue. Don't have a hobby, find one now!
7) If you're going the medicalize route I'd suggest a consultation with an RE. Ask for a Preconception workup. They'll test your blood for just about everything. Also ask for a progestrone test, if you have good insurance. I'd do this at least 2-3 months before you start TTC so you have some time to work out issues if any arise.
8) Relax. Find your Zen, your place of peace, figure out how to relax your mind and body. Get a monthly massage, do yoga or meditation, listen to tibetian monks, whatever works for you. This will come in handy when your in the 2ww. I wish I had found this before hand.
9) Set up a support system. Both you and DP will need it. If you don't want to tell your friends and family your TTC, and we didn't, find an online community and attach to them. I've found MDC to be the best part of this whole process. I've met some really awesome people and I've learned so much here.
10) Ok, so I ran out of advice but I had to have a ten so I'll just wish you good luck!
(And it's bad. I was sitting in church XMas eve thinking "Next Christmas, I'll be pregnant. I wish it was next Christmas.")
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