@bedhead - We’re just going to wing it to start, then possibly move on to prediction kits. Last time we winged it the first two months, then I was so anxious and upset about not being pregnant (I know, I know - really short amount of time!!) that I decided doing something more would help me feel better. We used digital ovulation tests and I tracked my cycles by temping and putting in data on Fertility [name_m]Friend[/name_m]. We got pregnant that cycle. Since my cycle returned after having [name_f]Ro[/name_f], my ovulation symptoms have been much more obvious so I think I’m going to be confident that we’re making the most of the right days (something that worried me last time around). I might end up deciding to track or use kits again but right now the plan is to just see what happens.
@bedhead I started using Fertility [name_m]Friend[/name_m] App when I got off birth control two months ago to make sure my cycles were regular. I think early 2018 we’re just going to try going with the app’s “predicted fertile days” and if we don’t have any luck, then I plan to use OPKs.
@shalexis I have that book on my Amazon wish list, so thanks for the reminder that I need to order it!
Nice to hear back from all of you. I’ve heard of that fertility book. Think I’ll go ahead and order it! I’ve been tracking my period on an app for the last couple years so I’m going to try going with the “predicted fertile days” as well. I might look into OPKs. I’d really love to get pregnant first shot but I know it can sometimes take a couple months.
This is our first time trying, so it will just be a case of seeing what happens. I refuse to stress about it, but I fear I will, so I want to take a super chill approach for the first 6 months or so. I can’t be bothered with all the measuring and monitoring right from the get go. I already understand my cycle pretty well, so I’m happy to wing it for a while.
My parents had fertility issues, but my hubby is one of 9 (!)… so I feel like it could go either way for us… shrugs Guess we’ll see.
I had my regular old women’s annual exam with my OB/Gyn today and mentioned that we were wanting to try soon-ish. She was super nice and drew me out a diagram of fertile days (and told me not to put anything in my phone or stress, ha) and mentioned that I needed to start on prenatal vitamins (and gave me some samples, hallelujah!). Any of you already taking prenatals? And for you already mamas, did you have a favorite brand?
@hml I used Materna and had no problems taking it. I was just thinking I should probably start taking them again soon. I always started a few months before trying for both boys.
@hml: I’ve been taking prenatals for a little over a month now. Although we’re not starting until [name_u]January[/name_u] I wanted to make sure I got a head start on getting all the essential vitamins. I’m taking [name_f]Rainbow[/name_f] [name_m]Light[/name_m] which I bought at Target and so far I really like them. [name_u]Haven[/name_u]'t had any issues. I’ve also been taking regular Target brand fish oil.
I have been on Blackmore’s Pregnancy and Breastfeeding pills since before TTC [name_f]Rosie[/name_f]. I take them at night as I tend to get nauseous if I have any vitamin in the morning. They’ve been great! Not sure if they’re available in the US or if they’re just an Australian brand.
I take the Trader [name_m]Joe[/name_m]’s brand prenatal. I haven’t had any issues with it, I take it at dinner time. I find taking anything with iron upsets my stomach early in the morning.
@hml, I use [name_m]New[/name_m] Chapter’s Perfect Prenatal multivitamin and Country Life’s Folate, along with a few herb-/spice-based supplements. I did not have any of the stomach upset or constipation problems that are usually attributed to iron in vitamins.
@bedhead, [name_f]Henrietta[/name_f] [name_f]Mavis[/name_f] [name_u]Joan[/name_u]! I love this. If only I could sell my partner on [name_f]Mavis[/name_f]…[name_f]Harriet[/name_f]/[name_f]Henriette[/name_f] is on our list, partly to honor his grandfather (C. [name_m]Henry[/name_m]) and wouldn’t you know it, C. [name_m]Henry[/name_m]'s wife’s name is [name_u]Joan[/name_u]. I’m also fond of Evergreen as a gender-neutral middle name. We almost gave it to our son but we chickened out. It’s back on the list for #2 but I don’t know if it’s fair to give one child a “plain” honor name and another such an “out-there” nature name.
@lissylou, [name_m]Gideon[/name_m] [name_u]James[/name_u] is so handsome and sweet!
Not much to report over here. I’m still leaning toward a 2 1/4 - 2 1/2 year age gap, but that means TTC in the spring…it must the early nightfall now that has us feeling like winter is here, and spring suddenly feels too close! There’s so much to do before then! My partner is a little bit like “YIKES.”
@seedsandstones: Thank you! [name_u]Love[/name_u] all the feminizations of [name_m]Henry[/name_m]. It seems like the perfect name for you. [name_f]Hope[/name_f] you can sell your partner on [name_f]Mavis[/name_f]. I would totally swoon if someone actually used [name_f]Harriet[/name_f]/[name_f]Henriette[/name_f] [name_f]Mavis[/name_f] in real life. [name_f]Spring[/name_f] does seem like it’s right around the corner. It’s practically winter. We got married last spring and can’t believe it will be a year already so soon. We’ll be TTC in [name_u]JANUARY[/name_u]! Which feels like tomorrow lol. So excited to finally be at this point. My baby making hormones are raging, like I really feel like my body is screaming GET PREGNANT. Idk if that sounds weird or anyone else has experienced that.
Bedhead - I felt that way last time for sure!! This time I don’t feel that way which is what’s making me question if I’m really ready or not. We’ll see!
Met my newest niece today. She arrived [name_f]Sunday[/name_f] afternoon (so she’s just 2 days old). And omg… so little, pink, and squishy!! [name_f]Precious[/name_f] little pumpkin! [name_m]Just[/name_m] too cute.
I had two thoughts “I can’t wait to do that one day” and “I’m so glad I still get to go home to peace and quiet” lol
She doesn’t have a name yet… [name_m]SIL[/name_m]/[name_m]BIL[/name_m] were like “we have a short list… but we can’t choose!” I’m excited to see what they pick. [name_m]SIL[/name_m]'s top contender for ages (for a girl) was [name_f]Elspeth[/name_f]. I wonder if they’ll use…
My news is… the more we talk and plan, the more TTC is looking like 2019, rather than 18… We have a couple of pre-baby “to dos” that will take a while, so I feel like baby plans are being pushed further into the future. #sigh I am ambivalent. I feel like one second I want babies and the next I could happily wait til I’m 30! Why is life so complex??! 
@bedhead
It’s amazing how fast time goes, hey! I just realized today we’ve nearly been married 9 months. One year is so close! I feel like its gone crazy fast!!
Nope definitely doesn’t sound weird. I have those “rages” off and on! I had a permanent wave of baby hormones about 3 months after we got married. It lasted for ages and I felt miserable because I knew ttc was soo far away. But it’s settled and I feel pretty content now, which is nice. I’m sure the raging will be back soon enough though.
@northernlights: I think as long as everyone is on the same page and feels like it would be the best time I say go for it. I don’t think you’ll always feel the intense baby fever every time. I might not feel it as intense in the future when we’ve already had a LO and want to add another, who knows. I might just be like this because it’s our first time so it’s easy to get really excited about it.
mummacat92: Congrats on your new niece! Gosh I really hope they use [name_f]Elspeth[/name_f] too, I love that name. Well, it’s good you seem content with the situation and want to make sure certain things are getting take cared of before trying for a LO. Good luck on the decision!
@mummacat92: Ok, thank goodness for that. Thought I was going crazy. I always just had that innate desire to be a mommy too so there’s that. I know what you mean, at the beginning I would always hope I got pregnant somehow even though I was on BC but then I told myself to just relax we weren’t too far away so I could just enjoy the present. Now that we’re here I’m like let’s get to it, lol. And yes I’m in disbelief about the way time flies, I’m like maybe it’s cause I’m getting older. Congrats on the marriage too, we’re newlyweds as well and don’t know where all the time has gone. Our year long engagement also felt like a blur.
@bedhead and mummacat - you’re definitely not alone! I don’t know whether it’s partly the whole uncertainty about how/when we’re going to be able to actually TTC, but some days baby fever is all I can think about. I’ve been pretty busy at work lately which has been taking my mind off things a bit but it’s still always there. It probably sounds crazy but I feel like now I’m at this stage of baby fever I don’t think I’ll be truly ‘happy’ again until we get pregnant - not that I’m not happy now, don’t get me wrong we have a great life as it is, but I just feel as if something is missing. I keep trying to tell myself to enjoy life without children while we can as we won’t have this much disposable income again for a long time (ever?!) once babies arrive, but I can’t help longing for next year to come, and then I feel guilty about wishing this part of my life away. Am I crazy??
And @mummacat congrats on the new niece, [name_f]Elspeth[/name_f] is adorable! It seems your [name_m]SIL[/name_m] has good taste so I’m sure whatever they eventually decide on will be lovely.
[name_m]General[/name_m] question - what is the difference between prenatals and just normal vitamins for women? I take a women’s multivitamin but am wondering if I should switch.
@lirio: I know that feeling well. You are totally not crazy!! I feel sad at times because I feel like a baby’s what is missing in my life, otherwise everything is great but I’m just feeling ready for this next season. Next year will be here soon enough!
Generally, prenatals contain more folic acid/folate, calcium and iron which helps prevent anemia in the mother, prevents neural tube defects in the baby and aids in growing strong bones for baby. You need more of certain vitamins to nourish baby the second you become pregnant. That’s why it’s suggested to start on them before you start trying so you build up the necessary nutrients. So at the very least, a month before TTC.
@hml and @bedhead
Get it! I seriously feel sooooo much more informed. [name_m]Even[/name_m] if you’re not going to track religiously, it’s nice to know what’s going on with your cervical fluid (I can’t tell you how many posts I’ve seen asking about various types of discharge!), you could notice something and know today would be a really good day to try. I really like the tracking, because my cycles have been pretty irregular at times, and I can know roughly when to expect my period. I haven’t been able to do much for the last two years (while I was pregnant, and I haven’t got my cycle back yet), so I’m excited to get back into it at some point.
This is all assuming we eventually stop breastfeeding and my cycle comes back. Right now it’s looking like that is NEVER going to happen. I keep trying to sort of wean her off… She’s going to daycare right now four days a week, and I thought that would help, but she wants to nurse the SECOND I pick her up, and isn’t content until she’s nursed a while on both side. She wakes up at night and cries and cries unless I let her nurse back to sleep. My poor husband tries to help with her, but she gets SO MAD when it isn’t me, because all she wants is boob. I’m trying to decide at what point it will be worth it to me to fight her. Our tentative ttc date is only 5 months away, so either that’s getting moved back, or something is going to have to change relatively soon. I’m still working on the baby weight, so I would probably be ok with it getting moved back. But I don’t want to wait forever, so we’ll see.
@shalexis: Yes! It is always so interesting to see what’s happening with CM down there. I’m not tracking yet but just yesterday I noticed really great CM lol. So sorry to hear weaning has been tough. Really wish I had some real advice but I know nothing about that yet. I have heard that replacing breast feeding sessions with some other yummy drink they like helps.