https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 01 May 2026 08:31:58 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2229595 Tue, 07 Jul 2015 23:14:35 +0000 jh524 2229595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just prenatal vitamins and tracking my cycle </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2229391 Tue, 07 Jul 2015 19:34:28 +0000 KittySunshine 2229391@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pebbles: Congratulations and good luck!</p> <p>Hope it's ok to revive this question after 8 weeks since you aren't starting until September.</p> <p>So one of the things I did before trying to conceive, besides getting on prenatals, talking to my general practitioner and learning about charting was making sure that my vaccinations were up to date. Apparently the MMR vaccine can wear off and a blood test determined that I was no longer immune. </p> <p> I definitely don't think this is a requirement for everyone by any means. It's just that the MMR vaccine is not one you can take once you are pregnant because it's a live virus (unlike the flu shot). I heard my friend who had her baby had done this so I asked about it for myself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2174439 Mon, 11 May 2015 13:13:16 +0000 snowjewelz 2174439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Same as you! Stopped BC and started prenatals!</p> <p>And I guess I read the heck up on all things TTC! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2174370 Mon, 11 May 2015 12:37:29 +0000 tofuwad 2174370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went to my gyn and basically wanted to know if everything was normal, hormonally (it also coincided with my pap). I had been dating my husband for about ten years with zero pregnancy scares so I was worried but it turns out I'm either super great about keeping track of my cycle or super lucky. I was really only on hormonal birth control sporadically, so we tended to mostly use condoms/rhythm. </p> <p>I slowly weaned myself off of caffeine about six months before we started trying because I was very addicted (drinking about a pot of coffee a day) and prone to migraines. And I tried to exercise more because my BMI about six months before we started trying was 32 (i.e. obese) and I ended up losing about 10lbs by the time I got pregnant. Weight was an important thing to me during the pregnancy because I started off with a BMI that's just barely obese, so I knew I needed to really make sure to make quality food choices. </p> <p>We also decided to move to a nicer neighborhood so I would feel safe taking walks and exercising (this decision wasn't totally because of the baby, but for me it was a big issue). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2173935 Mon, 11 May 2015 08:38:52 +0000 WinterBee 2173935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pebbles: Yay!<br /> We're NTNP right now, then going to TTC in Sept. if we don't get a BFP by then.</p> <p>I stopped BCP and having been reading lots... that's about it really.<br /> I'm continuing to take my vitamins and *trying* to make healthier choices when it comes to food and exercise, but that's been an ongoing battle forever... not just for baby haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2173579 Sun, 10 May 2015 18:18:28 +0000 DesertDreams88 2173579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I read TCOYF, it answered so many of my questions and made me feel very empowered. Bought the cheapie opks and learned how to use them. Bought cheapie HPTs, too. Got life insurance. Stopped running (after my miscarriage), started using the elliptical and doing yoga much more often. I personally wanted low impact exercise, but I know many women continue running and that's ok too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2173531 Sun, 10 May 2015 16:46:14 +0000 Anya 2173531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Charted, took prenatals, saved money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2173509 Sun, 10 May 2015 15:43:08 +0000 ms.line 2173509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Three months in advance I stopped birth control, started temping and charting, started taking a prenatal, cut way back on caffeine, and stopped using my prescription acne and anxiety meds (the worst!). I was pretty naive and thought that with all my preparation, I'd get pregnant within a couple months. Unfortunately, I'm still not pregnant with six months TTC under my belt. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2173470 Sun, 10 May 2015 14:51:16 +0000 Mamasig 2173470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Quit birth control. That's it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2173459 Sun, 10 May 2015 14:21:14 +0000 autumnlove 2173459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got a pap, learned about charting, talked to my OB about my gyno history and past deliveries, stopped BCP and continued with prenatals. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2173457 Sun, 10 May 2015 14:20:48 +0000 cornucopia8 2173457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I gained 10 lbs of muscle to get my BMI up. (I was underweight before getting pregnant.) Took a Body Pump class and kept up a regular workout regimen.</p> <p>My OB-GYN recommended getting at least 7 hours of sleep per night as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2173452 Sun, 10 May 2015 14:08:51 +0000 blackbird 2173452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Switched to a prenatal. That's it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2173450 Sun, 10 May 2015 13:56:45 +0000 Purpledaisy 2173450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nothing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2173434 Sun, 10 May 2015 13:12:18 +0000 NavyRN2012 2173434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: same here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2173389 Sun, 10 May 2015 11:42:40 +0000 yoursilverlining 2173389@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nothing, except stopped using birth control </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2173380 Sun, 10 May 2015 11:09:42 +0000 mrscobee 2173380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Eat healthy<br /> Exercise<br /> Gave up alcohol and caffeine (both not necessary, but I'm not big into alcohol anyway)<br /> Took prenatals<br /> Visited high risk OB to ensure med I'm on is safe and brain condition I have would be ok </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2173369 Sun, 10 May 2015 10:50:44 +0000 Keybee 2173369@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I tried to eat healthy and exercise.<br /> I recently read an article that taking magnesium before you conceive may reduce morning sickness, so I plan on trying that next time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2173303 Sun, 10 May 2015 09:09:37 +0000 Pebbles 2173303@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for your replies everyone!<br /> Just goes to show that every body is different. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2173254 Sun, 10 May 2015 06:53:18 +0000 jhd 2173254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Started taking prenatals &amp; stopped taking ibuprofen per my OB. We also did other things like upgrade our cars, save money in an emergency fund, got life insurance policies, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2173219 Sun, 10 May 2015 02:00:41 +0000 thepaperbutterfly 2173219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I saw a high risk gynecologist because I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and that automatically makes me a high risk pregnancy. It's a genetic disease whereby the collagen is defective so it affects all of your organs and joints to various degrees. I wanted to find someone I could trust because I've seen a lot of doctors in my lifetime, and 95% of them are arrogant, uniformed, and/or jerks. I didn't want that stress during pregnancy. We also discussed vaginal vs. C-section because I've had multiple hip surgeries and my hips are still unstable. We were both worried they would dislocate during childbirth and I would need more hip preservation surgeries (I'm only 30). Also, the risk of prolapse greatly increases with EDS, and you can't really reverse that. The Mesh used to repair it doesn't work with EDS because our connective tissue is defective and not strong enough to hold it. </p> <p>I started using a pill box so I could take my Levothyroxine normally as I have hypothyroidism and I am bad at taking my medication. Also, I weaned myself down to 200mg of caffeine or less per day. I stopped birth control early Feb., and I'm on my second cycle post-pill. I did ovulate, but my second cycle will be long, about 50 days. I wish I stopped it earlier, but I was recovering from my last hip surgery on 5/7/14 and my hips were very weak and unstable last year. </p> <p>Yep, I think that about it :P I've been wanting to have kids since I was 26 but was bedbound 4 out of the past 6 years due to debilitating pain (from multiple joint injuries but mostly hips and spine) and multiple hip surgeries. I feel blessed my health issues have somewhat stabilized for the moment. </p> <p>My doctor wanted me to get a genetic screen done, but the only diseases my family really has are EDS and autoimmune diseases. My husband is from Japan and has a totally different genetic background. Lucky for me he and his family are healthy :) I don't know. If it takes a while to get pregnant I might go for it.</p> <p>I have also increased my intake of fiber because I have irritable bowel syndrome, and can't take Imodium AD or laxatives during pregnancy. Fiber greatly improves my symptoms of constipation and diarrhea. That's also likely due to my EDS. It's the gift that keeps giving XD</p> <p>I started taking prenatal vitamins months ago. My geneticist told me that there is new evidence showing that taking prenatal vitamins for six months before pregnancy reduces the risks of certain genetic defects. I got one with iron because I don't get enough of that in my diet. I have been diligently taking calcium and vitamin D for months because I have osteopenia (due to past anorexia episodes and long periods of being bedbound). I should look it up, but I think your calcium and vitamin D needs go up during pregnancy.</p> <p>To be honest, I wish it was much simpler than this, but I can't change who or what I am, so I'm just trying to prepare for pregnancy as best as I can :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2173165 Sat, 09 May 2015 22:11:48 +0000 Mrs. Microscope 2173165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you don't exercise, start now! Get in the habit, so you can carry it through your pregnancy. It's been the single best thing to help me thus far! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2173150 Sat, 09 May 2015 21:39:42 +0000 HellOnHeels 2173150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I read "Taking Charge of your Fertility" and started charting, went to my doc for physical, got bloodwork done and started taking prental vitamins. Good luck! :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2173146 Sat, 09 May 2015 21:33:51 +0000 Kezzeranne 2173146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went to my primary care doctor for a physical and just to discuss any issues like my asthma before we started trying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2173092 Sat, 09 May 2015 20:20:39 +0000 wrkbrk 2173092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pebbles: Good luck to you! I got some prenatals, charted for about 6 months, tried to eat better, and read a few books. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-ttc#post-2173077 Sat, 09 May 2015 20:01:09 +0000 Pebbles 2173077@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What did you do/are you doing to prepare for trying to conceive?<br /> We are going to start trying for our first child in September of this year. 4 months!!!!! :) I am so excited!!!<br /> So far I have stopped hormonal birth control ( to give my body a break). I am charting my cycles (to learn how beforehand). I also am taking prenatal vitamins. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-do-list-before-birth#post-2088561 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 13:06:18 +0000 snowjewelz 2088561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Get haircut, nails done... I mean I have gotten both things done since I've given birth but now I'm always thinking about DD and never truly just relaxed! </p> <p>Also, if you plan to BF, I would actually start playing around with your nipples. I had no idea I had inverted/flat nipples. And if you want to just pump your nipples, give them some work out so maybe they're more "ready" for BF later? That's one thing I never thought about doing and wished I did! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-do-list-before-birth#post-2088519 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 12:38:46 +0000 LuLu Mom 2088519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PawPrints: I wasn't able to get my pump either, however I went the minute I was discharged from hospital to the place to pick it up (DD was still there.) </p> <p>I think there lots of opinions out there, some say pacifiers/bottles cause nipple confusion, others say it doesn't matter. I know many moms (actually all my friends) even though they were breastfeeding introduced a pacifier right away and I plan on doing the same with DD2 when she arrives. I think better to be prepared than not :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-do-list-before-birth#post-2088516 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 12:37:35 +0000 looch 2088516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went to the dentist, sounds totally random, but I got a good teeth cleaning and check up.</p> <p>I also prefilled a bunch of pages in the baby book, you can do all the "about the parents" and that sort of stuff upfront, if you're doing a baby book.</p> <p>I also got some paperback books and magazines, and put them away in a drawer...in case I needed something fun and light to read.</p> <p>Oh, and pick up all your stuff from the drycleaner, if you use one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-do-list-before-birth#post-2088504 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 12:30:08 +0000 PawPrints 2088504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LuLu Mom: I definitely understand for NICU babies, but my impression of the to-do list was that most moms here are preparing for a non-NICU birth, so I'm still a little confused. My insurance won't allow me to purchase my breast pump until after birth, which I think is fairly common, so it wouldn't even be possible for me to be pumping milk immediately the day I bring my LO home from the birth center. Everything I've ready (outside this thread) has said to not go anywhere near bottles or pacifiers for at least a few weeks. Wouldn't you at least wait a week for your milk to come in (again, assuming no NICU stay) before discussing supplementing with formula? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-do-list-before-birth#post-2088496 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 12:26:07 +0000 LuLu Mom 2088496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PawPrints: I had a NICU baby, our nursing relationship never developed like I watned, I pumped and she bottle feed, I was so thankful to have bottles/nipples ready to go. they actually gave her a pacifier as well because they were encouraging her to suck, she was what they called a "lazy baby" and we started out feeding her by syringe because she didn't want to do anything on her own. You just never know what unforeseen complications can arise and it's better to be prepared! </p>