TTC Checklist

[aces]

Does anyone else have a TTC checklist? My husband and I are going to start seriously trying in December, but in the meantime I've scheduled visits to my PCP, GYN, and dentist to have everything shipshape beforehand. Plus, I'm signing up for a CPR/Pediatric First Aid course. Is it yet another example of what a Type-A list-obsessed fanatic I am or is this normal?

[hardworkinmama]

One thing I can suggest it to start tracking now so you will be better prepared in December. What I mean by tracking is keep track of your cycle, CM (cervical mucus), CP (cervical position), temperatures, and the such. If you do these things now, you will have better knowledge of your body and when you O (ovulate) when December comes and possible make your journey to motherhood shorted. Some helpful websites are
www.mymonthlycycles.com and
www.fertilityfriend.com both can help with tracking you cycles to find what is average and charting your BBT (basal body temperature) so that you can pinpoint O time. Good luck with your journey and I hope it is short lived.

[excited4mommyhood]

Hi Aces!

Hardworkingmama is right, it's good to start tracking asap for a few reasons. First of all, you can get used to it before any real added "pressure" of TTC. Also, you will get to know your cycles better than I'm sure you already do!

My 2 BIGGEST pieces of advice:

Exercise! I don't know if you normally do (and if so, great, no need to go in a crazy new path) but if not, ovualtion is best in an active body. And if you're carrying a few extra pounds (like I am), losing just a little bit of weight will both enhance your fertility and tighten up for when baby is on board!

Make sure to take a prenatal vitamin. Your GYN might prescribe some, but I've been taking the Walgreens brand. My GYN gave me the prescription, and 1 night I compared the Walgreens ones to a chart online, which showed what a good prenatal should include, and the store brand have everything required and more. For me, it's a better option - the prescription ones made me burp, it was GROSS, plus even with my really good federal insurance, they ended up being nearly $1 each ($30 for a monthly supply). I'm not at all cheap, especially when it comes to things I put into my body, but the Walgreens ones are like $7 for 100 vitamins...you do the math LOL.

Good luck with everything - SMART MOVE going to the dentist A lot of folks forget that one!

[aces]

I'm charting BBT, AF, my One-A-Days, and BD (just for practice). Once I figure out CM & CP I'll do that as well - right now I'd just be writing question marks for the last two categories. I'm at a healthy weight and I'm trying to get some exercise in daily (fast walking always works best for me) but it's hard! Well, mostly boring. I really wish I had some exercise equipment at home so I could read at the same time but that's not in the budget right now. Plus, I'm having to adjust my thinking - normally, I'm exercising to look good in a bikini; right now the goal is to have a belly like a beach ball next summer :-)

I'm taking the regular women's vitamin daily (with lunch, since it's my low-calcium meal). Is there a big difference between that and prenatal vitamins? I'm also trying to eat fortified cereals to get extra folic acid, so that might make up some of the difference. Guess I'll watch for sales on Total and just stock up.

[monika12]

Some good sites that help you identify the most fertile days for you to try and conceive are Ovuline.com and FertilityFriend. I personally used both when trying (now 8 months pregnant) but I found Ovuline to be more user friendly.
Just check both and see which one you like more!

Good luck!