Trying to get pregnant

[Paek]

I came off the implant in may 2018 we then got engaged so we wasn’t trying as such but wasn’t avoiding it, we have started trying in may 2019 should I be worried it hadn’t Happened yet or just continue trying, I’m getting stressed about it which I really think isn’t helping I’m worried I case it isn’t going to happen for us

[Militarywife7]

I believe it can take an average couple up to 1 year to conceive. There are statistics for this online which you may find helpful. I have been ttc for over 2 years, and ended up having IVF with undiagnosed infertility which means they couldnt find an issue. I believe your doctors surgery can do blood tests etc to see if anything is wrong. However I dont believe they will refer you for further fertility tests unless you have been trying for over two years or are over 35. Wishing you all the best on your journey xxx

[0Kirsty0]

It took me around 7 month to get recently pregnant after having the implant removed. I worked on a strict ovulation calender and the 1 month I didn't was the successful time!

The best time to try is when you not trying at all and your body is not stressed.

Keep calm and don't worry, give it 1-2year and if you are concerned make a doc appointment.

[Babypud19]

Have you tried an ovulation app? I came off the implant and didn't have a clue what my periods were meant to be like or what my cycle length was, having not has periods for nearly 10 years. It helped me massively (I used Ovia) and we conceived in late December 2018 after I'd had my implant out in October 2018 which was surprising as I'd only had 1 period and wasn't even sure if that was a normal one or just my body readjusting. Like everyone has said, it can take a year or so so just go with the flow, try not to get stressed and enjoy the trying 😉 x

[Paek]

I’ve got the Ovia app I have noticed looking back now my periods still seem to be changing every month one month its a 27 day cycle another month 31-32 day cycle is this normal? last month I bought the clear blue advanced ovulation tests they cost me a fortune but I did find them good, if this month isn’t the month I’m going to try and chill out next month, we recently got married and everybody is always asking when are we having a baby I find that pressuring as well!

[Hidden]

Hi there,

I’m guessing I’m probably a bit older than you (i’m 40) and I started trying to conceive at 37 and i’m currently holding my 9 day old boy - it took a while for a bunch of different reasons that won’t necessarily apply to you. But from what i’ve read ‘they’ reckon it takes the average healthy couple up to a year to conceive, so most importantly try not to get too stressed and fixated on it as that will be counter productive. If things aren’t happening after a year you can go to the go to ask for basic fertility tests.

But there’s lots you can do as part of your everyday routine, without stressing yourself out, to prepare your body and create optimal circumstances to get pregnant. Most of it is common sense tbh - just be as healthy as you can. Also, bear in mind your other half can be doing similar things too...it takes both of you to make a baby after all but us ladies often take the lead/take on all the responsibility 😉

Main things you can do:

1) a healthy, balanced diet - whole foods (whole grains), fruit, veg, good quality meat (organic is better as has less hormones in it) and limit red meat, if you’re ok with milk organic whole milk is meant to be best, but for me (because of PCOS) dairy was inflammatory so I cut it out. Also, cut out or limit refined sugars (white bread, pasta, sweets). Drink plenty of water. The books I read also made lots of recommendations around fertility friendly foods and supplements that you can add in to your diet every day so you’re getting the best nutrients. In reality you can be as strict or not as you want with your diet, it depends how good or bad it is now I guess and how many changes you want to make...for me the clock was ticking so I went all out and managed to conceive within 6 months of making changes, after 3 yrs of trying. There’s also lots to be said for losing a little weight IF that’s something that’s already an issue for you individually or as a couple.

2) The usual- stop smoking and limit alcohol intake. You don’t have to be a saint but be honest with yourself about whether this is an area that needs changing

3) Light exercise to improve general fitness, but not excessively as it can stress out your system

Other stuff:

- 8 hrs sleep minimum as often as possible

- Get outside as much as possible (helps with vitamin D and melatonin production - yes, liquid vitamin D as a supplement is better in terms of how your body metabolises it)

- folic acid is good, folate is said to be better. It’s a non synthesised version of folic acid and so more easily metabolised by your body

- Reduce stress (long term, constant stress is especially troublesome for fertility). To help with this I did meditation/breathing exercises daily - I did yogic breathing (youtu.be/oFR_zlbLnY4)(Not working as expected?) and downloaded 'Female fertility' app (image of a stork carrying a baby) and listened to three of the meditations/hypnosis tracks (Boost your fertility, Conceive with ease and Fertile womb meditation). This may not be your thing though, so anything that helps you relax/feel less stressed

- Gut health is important - take a good probiotic

- Cut out BPAs (found in plastic) and avoid foods served in plastic containers/heating food in plastic containers (includes take out coffee cups) as this releases toxins

- Reduce toxins: No perfume (or spray on clothes rather than your skin) and Cut phthalates out of all skin care products

- A friend who successfully had ivf was advised to eat warm, salty foods (chips/fries) on egg transfer day and to keep stomach and back areas warm. As I wasn’t pursuing IVF I adapted this by eating salty chips on the day of ovulation (I knew when I ovulated because it was painful) and two days after and used a warm bottle in the evening and heated car seat in the morning to mimic this advice. Who knows if this helped, but I enjoyed the excuse to eat chips 😉

- Remember, the egg that eventually becomes fertilised has been in production (so to speak) for 3 months before it reaches the front of the queue to be released. The more good stuff you do to improve the quality of the egg can both improve the chances of it being fertilised and the over all quality (relevant to natural and assisted conception)

When I was looking at improving my fertility I did a lot of research. The stuff I read could be applied to anyone, so i’ll post below the books I read. Key thing to know = when you ovulate. If you’re not having sex at your most fertile time it just won’t happen. If your cycle is regular this is a bit easier to work out and then there’s like a 3 day window during which your chances of conceiving are best....OR just make sure you having sex every 2-3 days and that should have you covered.

Books:

Period repair manual

amazon.co.uk/Period-Repair-...

It starts with the egg

amazon.co.uk/Starts-Egg-Sec...

Expecting better

amazon.co.uk/s?k=expecting+...

Conceivability

amazon.co.uk/s?k=conceivabi...

Website:

Fertility.org

Enjoy the trying part 😉

Good luck!