Inspired by a recent thread on the boards asking what others are doing to prepare to ttc, we’ve created a checklist of things you can do to prepare to TTC and maximize your fertility!
A lot of these are self-explanatory, but we have a couple of notes:
– Get a full periodontal exam – Back in late 2005 during a long overdue dentist’s appointment, I found out that I had the early stages of periodontal disease aka gum disease. Periodontal disease in pregnant women can cause low birth weight and premature birth because it’s a chronic infection that enters your bloodstream! Luckily I was able to take care of everything with three deep cleaning sessions.
A pamphlet my dentist gave me also included the following information: 1) Oral contraceptives and/or pregnancy can cause periodontal disease because of the fluctuations in hormones they cause. Synthetic hormones in oral contraceptives are designed to mimic pregnancy. Hormonal fluctuations can cause periodontal disease to advance so quickly that some pregnant women’s teeth simply fall out! (My dentist told me true and scary stories.) 2) Smoking, stress, medication, diabetes, poor nutrition, grinding your teeth can increase your chances of getting periodontal disease. And you may be genetically prone to it too. 3) Ultimately if left untreated, your teeth can fall out.
Yikes I had no idea! Don’t forget to also get any x-rays if you need them because you won’t be able to get them when you’re pregnant.
– Start taking prenatal vitamins – Folate helps prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida. It’s important to start taking prenatal vitamins before you’re pregnant because neural tube defects can form before you even realize that you’re pregnant.
– For him – We’re often so focused our own fertility, we forget that there are a lot of things our partners can do to increase their fertility. Heat in the scrotum area (why is that funny to write?), diet, exercise, weight, and stress affect sperm, so it’s important for our partners to get serious about the lifestyle changes they can make as well.
Is there anything we’re missing from this checklist? What are you doing to prepare to TTC?
Preparing to TTC part 1 of 8
1. Preparing to TTC by Checklists2. My Pre-TTC Toolkit by Mrs. Blue
3. My Preconception Toolkit by Mrs. Tricycle
4. Charting Fertility by mrs. green
5. Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor by Mrs. Bee
6. The Case for Not Charting or Using OPKs by Mrs. Blue
7. Starting our TTC Journey: Screening for Jewish Genetic Disorders by Mrs. Confetti
8. TTC, Pregnancy & Parenting Acronyms by Checklists
honeydew / 7968 posts
not that you’re missing anything per se. but i was told that you should take at least 800mcg of folic acid, but 3 of my obgyns recommended 1mg. i was recently told that i should also take 1mg per child, so i had to increase my dosage.
also, i hear x-rays build up and remain in your system for awhile, so try to get that out of the way.
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
@tequeiro21 – i think prescription prenatals contain between 800-1000 mcg but i’m going to edit out the amount since doctor recommendations may vary…
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
Thanks for totally freaking me out!!!! I’ve been dealing with periodontal disease for three years now. I’ve been alternating between since a periodontist and my regular dentist every three months for cleanings. According to my periodontist, my gum disease isn’t THAT bad, but needs to be controlled. So far in the three years, it really hasn’t seemed to get much better. Does that mean becoming pregnant could be an issue…?
I have a periodontal cleaning in a month, so I’ll have to drill him with questions, because I definitely don’t want my teeth to fall out!!!
pear / 1769 posts
Loving this list! Thanks!
pea / 9 posts
Thanx for the preparations tips FOR HIM. I never even knew!
persimmon / 1255 posts
Another great list. I was just told to take prenatal vitamins.
I didn’t find out til too late but I wish I had worked out my abs a lot more before getting pregnant. Your ab muscles literally separate and move to your sides as your belly expands, and the stronger your abs are, the easier it is for them to knit back together afterwards. Most women’s abs never completely knit back together and am left with a little pouch. I’m one of them
cherry / 168 posts
Great list! I mentally checked off all of the boxes.
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts
I agree with @aiisuro – prenatals for HIM! I had no idea. He is so going on a one-a-day pill starting tonight. That will be along with his blood pressure meds, asprin and (currently) antibiotics. Just add it to the pile! We look like the elderly with the amount of pills we take each night.
cherry / 190 posts
Check your medications! My husband was put on antibiotics at two different times during TTC for infections, and we only found out later that they wiped out his sperm count for up to 3 months past completion of the pills. It helped explain why it took 7 months to conceive when we were otherwise healthy. Make sure you keep that in mind!
apple seed / 1 posts
We’re going to start trying next year and I’ve started to switch all of our personal beauty products to plant-based/natural products. We’re also switching to to organic foods where possible and will be going on a cleanse about 3 months before we start trying. Also just joined a gym to get into shape.
Can’t wait to see what else everyone else is doing! Love this post!
cherry / 171 posts
My primary Dr is very into fertility so she recommended that any woman in her child bearing years take a prenatal since “accidents” happen and by the time you realize you are pregnant, you may have missed the really important time for the folic acid.
We also took a purposeful conception e-class. It was a really good way for my husband and I to start a dialog and helped us feel more secure in our journey towards parenthood.
http://www.purposefulconception.com/
pomegranate / 3716 posts
Oh my gosh, I never knew about the dental thing! I must confess I haven’t been to the dentist in almost 3 years… crap, need to make an appointment. These are great tips, I think we MAY be ttc next year… I’m so nervous but this site makes me feel better, thanks Bee
coffee bean / 40 posts
@Bakingabug: I noticed the next class started yesterday! So, was it worth the money then? Hubby and I are considering starting TTC in January, and since the course runs November 13-December 9th, the timing is ideal if I can still get in.
cherry / 171 posts
@mrsapricot – I thought it was. It helped us see where we needed to plan and work more and also pointed out that we were more prepared than we had thought. I really enjoyed it.
apple seed / 1 posts
I have been cramping for the past two days now and have not starting my menstrul cycle, I’m hoping I start tomorrow. I am cramping really bad and my lower back aches and my legs as well. What shoul I do. I have 3 girls you would think I would know right. Any suggestions.