https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 26 Jul 2026 02:51:46 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-266703 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 13:38:29 +0000 Foodnerd81 266703@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the ladies already covered everything, but just wanted to give my take on temping. I don't think it is totally necessary, but for me, when I stopped the pill, I started temping immediately for 2 reasons. 1) I was really nervous I wouldn't ovulate right away and that it would take months and months to start. Temping was a way to see if I did ovulate, and if yes, I could relax a little, and if no, I would know there was a problem. I can get a little anxious, so this was a way to calm me down a little.(I did ovulate regularly right away, thank god). 2) I knew when to expect my first period! My first cycle off was 40 something days, but since I ovulated on that first cycle, I know my period wouldn't arrive for 12-16 days after that. Fertility Friend predicted it correctly to within on day. </p> <p>As long as you take a women's multivitamin with enough Folic Acid (400 mg minimum) that's enough for preTTC, but there is no harm in going on a prenatal right away. I like the Rainbow Light Petite, but it's also the only one I tried. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-266665 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 13:24:43 +0000 Mrs D 266665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: those are the ones I was just looking at...I'm going to start with the 30 day supply to make sure they dont upset my tummy! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-266643 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 13:12:33 +0000 Adira 266643@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I agree! They're easy to swallow and I take them at night and they don't seem to bother my stomach or anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-266636 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 13:08:18 +0000 looch 266636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: I took the same ones, I even took them after the baby was born. They're great and not too big. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-266634 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 13:05:08 +0000 Adira 266634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: I'm taking the One-a-Day Prentals with DHA - it comes in a box (I think) and contains a bottle of DHA pills and a bottle of the prenatal pills. I really like those. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-266629 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 13:01:48 +0000 Mrs D 266629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all the great input ladies! I'm definitely going to keep reading TCOYF, I'm going to by a thermometer this weekend (so excited they are so cheap!) and I'll find some prenatals to start taking when I remove my last ring (mid September).</p> <p>Fingers super duper crossed my cycle comes back to normal relatively quickly since I have only been on the ring for 3ish years! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-264946 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:56:53 +0000 StrawberryBee 264946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks! And sorry to thread-jack XD;;.</p> <p>With so many warnings lately about going to the dentist, I wonder if it makes sense to schedule extra cleanings while pregnant. I'm cavity-prone on a good day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-264740 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:46:12 +0000 shinystraps 264740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Reading TCOYF is a great start! I think it'll really help. I would also say The Garden of Fertility would be helpful, it's kind of a companion book to TCOYF but it talks a lot about diet and nutrition to help in conceiving. </p> <p>Also, go to the dentist. Your teeth can change a lot during pregnancy, so I hear, but you can't have much work done while pregnant. Or in my case, it was just good to have something force me to go to the dentist because I hate going so much and put it off! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-264729 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:35:24 +0000 mrs. bird 264729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@StrawberryBee: depends on the vaccine. some are ok, some aren't. as a general rule of thumb, getting them up to date ahead of time is preferable. but there are millions of women who have healthy babies that were behind on their vaccines =) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-264721 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:29:15 +0000 LuLu Mom 264721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would start on Fertility Friend or a similar app/site that can help you track your cycles and know your fertile dates. That way you guys can avoid/use other preventive measure until December after your BC is removed. Also, I do recommend meeting with your doc beforehand and get a PAPS and fill out medical history and what not so they are aware of your plans and you can discover any issues beforehand! Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-264710 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:24:18 +0000 StrawberryBee 264710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. bird: Do you know if you can get vaccinations updated after you get a BFP? I must admit I don't go to my normal dr regularly : /. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-264698 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:16:47 +0000 ShootingStar 264698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>From my experience, I would really recommend starting to chart right away. I came off of BC in May, and have had 2 pretty long cycles so far (still on the 2nd at 53 days :-S). I keep wondering if I'm pregnant and taking tests, all negative. I wish I had temped from the beginning so I would know not to bother. If it turns out you have regular cycles right away, then you choose to keep up with it or not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-264697 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:16:31 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 264697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>TCOYF is a great resource, but i would start temping now so you get comfortable with how to chart and get into the habit of taking your temp at the same time every day. it'll also be nice to see patterns in your cycle and get a feel for when you're most likely to ovulate.</p> <p>I would start taking prenatals, schedule a dentist appointment and get any cavities and cleanings taken care of, and buy a basal body thermometer. I got a cheap one from Amazon. I also tracked everything through the Fertility Friend website (they also have a phone app you can track through!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-264689 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:12:57 +0000 mrs. bird 264689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i just started charting, i think my thermometer was something like $12, so really nothing in the scheme of things. any prenatal that doesn't make you sick is good =)</p> <p>i'd also suggest making an appt with your dentist &amp; getting any work or x-rays you need done now. it's crazy how much a healthy mouth can be linked to a healthy pregnancy! also, check with your dr to see that your up to date on all your vaccines. we used pre-TTC as a good excuse to make a few family related, but non baby purchases- a video camera, a car for DH (although, that may need to get upgraded again!), and look into your short term disability if you plan on using it for maternity. </p> <p>as far as actual TTC items, i spent WAY more than i thought i would need to! but hopefully it'll happen quickly for you so you won't spend much =) become BFFs with amazon, tests are $$$! but on amazon you can get cheap test strips for less than a dollar a piece, which is awesome when you can't wait to take one, but you know it's early. then you don't have to feel guilty for taking 2, or 10 ;) good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-264662 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:03:21 +0000 JoJoGirl 264662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: I don't know what brand they are, but I get the chewable ones from CVS - they taste like gummies and make me happy to eat them :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-264637 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 12:49:15 +0000 tororojo 264637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: Once you're pregnant, if using an OTC vitamin you'll want to make sure that you take one with DHA in it, but that's probably not a big deal up until then. I took the generic one from Target and it doesn't mess with my stomach (now I take prescription ones, which I absolutely HATE!).</p> <p>Something else to think about--once you're pregnant, you may feel like crap for the 1st three months, so I recommend eating as healthy as possible while TTC. Then maybe you won't feel quite as guilty if you can only eat chips and cereal for awhile! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-264625 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 12:35:26 +0000 pl0508 264625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: we feel very blessed and fortunate! fingers crossed for a happy and low stress TTC process for you, dear! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-264623 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 12:33:48 +0000 Mrs D 264623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the tips ladies! I had no idea the thermometers were so reasonable. I will definitely start using one of those once I finish my last ring! I guess I had more like $50 in my mind!</p> <p>@highwire: at my last annual my OB was drilling me on when we were going to start our family (she just delivered my sisters son a year ago) - she ended by saying "and just so you know - everything looks great if you decide you want to start trying for a baby" - I know its not as extensive as a full on physical but still good to hear her "seal of approval".</p> <p>As for prenatals...can I get these anywhere? Are there any side effects? Anyone have a brand they like in particular?</p> <p>@coacheswife123: this is totally what I am hoping happens for DH and I. You are lucky it happened so naturally for you! :)</p> <p>Thanks for all the tips ladies! Its scary and oh so fun at the same time to be starting down this path! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-264615 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 12:28:16 +0000 Adira 264615@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely start taking prenatals now!!!</p> <p>Also, I think temping is an easy way to get in tune with your cycles (especially if you're regular) that's pretty inexpensive. I got my basal thermometer at Walmart and it was the only basal one they had. It was probably $10-$15. Even if your cycles are regular, you won't know for sure when you ovulate or how long your luteal phase is, so temping is a great way to figure that out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-264549 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 11:43:29 +0000 pl0508 264549@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i didn't do anything except download a (free!) ovulation app on my phone. we NTNT for 3 months and got a positive test! We decided we would do NTNT for 6 months or so and if nothing happened we would temp! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-264545 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 11:41:54 +0000 edelweiss 264545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>for general pre-ttc information and thoughts, mrs. blue's archives (go through to the early posts) are helpful!<br /> <a href="http://www.hellobee.com/author/mrs-blue/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/author/mrs-blue/</a></p> <p>i think whether to buy a BBT/charting from the get-go is a personal preference and depends on your circumstances. my cycles were fairly regular, so i was able generally keep track of my cycles (as in, circling dates on a calendar) to predict ovulation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-264539 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 11:31:09 +0000 DillonLion 264539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This isn't a requirement, but if you want to make sure all of your ducks are in a row before TTC, then I suggest setting up a pre-conception appointment with an OB. I did this and it gave me a lot of peace of mind. I asked for a full round of blood work and had genetic testing done since I am Jewish. I also had a pap smear done and an overall physical at the appointment.</p> <p>Once you are pregnant, there is limited options as far as correcting health problems with medications, but before you are pregnant you can definitely find out about any issues and fix them before you conceive. </p> <p>Starting prenatal vitamins is also a good idea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-264534 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 11:27:38 +0000 JoJoGirl 264534@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats! </p> <p>Reading TCOYF is a great start. I'd say temping is a good, low-cost way of understanding what your cycles are doing in the beginning before you start throwing more expensive items like OPKs into the mix. I paid $9.99 for mine at CVS. I don't know which brand it is, but it was the only basal body thermometer they had (goes to .00 instead of .0) so I got it. I'd also start taking pre-natals now if you haven't already. Welcome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttcwhat-do-i-need#post-264524 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 11:17:12 +0000 Mrs D 264524@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So...DH and I are planning to actively start TTC in December. After explaining to him how the female body works (sometimes his lack of knowledge amazes me) he understands now why I want to stop using the ring a few months early. As it stands now, I'll remove my last ring mid September. I just purchased TCOYF and have started reading it. I wanted to know what other items you all recommend getting? Should I consider temping from the beginning or give it a few months and see how "regular" I am before investing?</p> <p>If you recommend investing in one now, which one do you recommend and how much is it?</p> <p>Like most of us I am sure, I am hoping things happen easily for us and we're one of those lucky couples that doesn't have to work too hard to get pregnant. However, being as Mr., D and I are both in our low 30's I dont want to be months behind if there is a problem we need to work on!</p> <p>Thanks for the input! </p>