TTC Burning Questions

[Jeansies]

I have been obsessively reading this forum during each of my tww, and with the onset of another disappointing af, I think it's time to ask some questions that I have been wondering/worrying about. Please help if you can! I appreciate any insight

1. Have you completely stopped any caffeine intake, during tww, or all the time? I have drastically cut my caffeine intake, but can't seem to get to zero. Just wondering if that's something most tcc ladies do.

2. Have you asked extended family about their ability to conceive? It seems intrusive, but I believe it would grant insight into my medical history if I were to get some information from my aunts. However, it don't want to be rude (i don't like be bothered about my uterus either), nor do I want to tip the family off about our personal life. Has anyone done anything like this? My mother has told me that she conceive all four of us on her first try (thanks for that info, mom) so I think I need to look elsewhere in my history.

3. What lifestyle changes have you made while ttc? I am worrying that there's something I'm supposed to be doing/not doing that I'm missing.

thanks for your help!

May your May tests be BFP!

 

[lesondemavie]

Hi Jean,

1. I did not initially cut out caffeine, but I am now completely on Swiss water method decaf. I had one day of a really bad headache and then was totally fine after that.

2. I know in general about my family history, but I have not asked. I have a big, nosy family and don't really want the added pressure of everyone knowing. I'd take what your mother said with a grain of salt. My mother also says she conceived us all first try (after she had her endo treated), but she and dad used the calendar method (incorrectly) for 10 years and only had 5 pregnancies (4 children, 1 miscarriage). Given that you only have a 20% chance every cycle, even with perfect fertility it's statistically improbable for anyone to conceive on the first try 4 times in a row.

3. I've cut out alcohol almost completely except for 1-2 drinks right around AF, and I've asked DH to cut back as well. We weren't drinking that much, but studies show that even moderate drinking (3/week) affects fertility for both men and women. I've also made my pee really expensive and by that I mean added quite a few vitamins.

Hope that helps. I think you need to do whatever works best for you. If a lifestyle change is going to be too stressful for you, then the costs may outweigh the benefits. I feel like for the most part TTC is just making sure you BD around O and then crossing your fingers and hoping really, really hard. The rest just gives us a false sense of control .

Here's hoping for not just BFPs but healthy pregnancies and babies to hold!

 

[2ducks]

1. No, I still drink my coffee in the AM. I have about 2-3 6oz cups.

2. I have told no family and don't plan on it. I just don't want anyone to know about my reproductive issues

3. I was diagnosed with PCOS in February. I have made a TON of dietary changes. I don't eat gluetn, sugar, refined carbs and have limited dairy. I also take a ton of supplements to support fertility. I go for acupuncture every week. I was going to yoga class every week but that stopped when a family member got sick and i had to help out with that. Oh, and I did cut back on drinking. I averaged 3-4 glasses of wine Sunday-Thursday and 2-5 drinks on the weekend. Now I am having 1-4 drinks for the whole week.

 

[Littleyogini]

1. I still drink 2 cups of coffee a day, but never more than that. I don't typically drink more caffeine that that, but I'll occasionally drink a bottle of soda.

2. I haven't asked extended family members about their fertility, mostly because I don't have contact with them.

3. I take a prenatal vitamin daily, and I don't drink alcohol at all.

 

[kiki1234]

1. I significantly reduced my caffeine intake. 1 cup of caffeinated coffee and 1 cup decaf in mornings. And then 1 pop during the day - depending on how my day is going! (I use to drink MULTIPLE cups of caffeinated coffee a day.)

2. I haven't outright asked about my families fertility but most of it I'm aware of as I am the last in the family to have kids. I've heard about everyone's issues along the way!.. I do think it's important information to know if people are willing to share it.

3. I started drinking less alcohol - not necessarily because we were TTC but more so because hangovers were getting worse with age! I also added a prenatal vitamin to my diet. Other than that, I just tried not to stress and see where life took me!