This post contains a sponsored inclusion of Ritual but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
"We started trying to conceive shortly after my daughter turned one last year and I naively thought it would happen on the first go-round. We were already parents at this point so how hard could it be? After six months of winging it and hoping for the best, I realized I needed to be a little more diligent and start tracking my ovulation to make the most of my fertile windows. Much like the first time I tried to get pregnant, I realized every tracking method would give me a slightly different window. Basal thermometer told me one thing while ovulation sticks told me another. Very quickly, the business of getting pregnant and tracking my cycle began to eat away at my already limited me-time.
After trying on our own for over a year, I went to see my OBGYN who ran a series of tests and recommended me to a fertility specialist. I’m much more optimistic now that I have a doctor I trust in my corner and an action plan. We are now in the stage of procedures, tests, medication, and monitoring that will hopefully result in getting pregnant. I’ve also learned a world of new information from my specialist and year-long TTC experience. Some of which I wish I had known from the start to avoid unnecessary stress, but I’m glad that I can at least share my knowledge now with any hopeful moms entering the TTC stage. Here are the five things I wish I had known about TTC from the beginning:
You can start prepping your body before actively TTC
According to my fertility specialist, there are many ways you can set yourself up for success before actually starting your TTC journey. Some are obvious like getting off birth control, scheduling a checkup with your OBGYN, taking a prenatal vitamin, and prioritizing a balanced diet and physical exercise. But I also discovered that a fertility supplement can help support your reproductive system and effectively prepare your body for conception.
While I was in the market for supplements, Ritual came highly recommended by many of the moms I know because of their quality and traceable ingredients. So I was excited to learn they just released Fertility Support. Fertility Support is a 3-in-1 supplement formulated as a lemon-flavored drink mix designed in partnership with an OBGYN and a leading fertility specialist. It helps support conception outcomes with three clinically studied ingredients—CoQ10, NAC, and Myo-Inositol.* More specifically, when taken twice daily, Fertility Support has:*
- 200mg of CoQ10 to help support follicular health (and its in a form that’s 2.7 times more bioavailable than standard CoQ10)*
- 1.2g of NAC to help support ovarian health and also provides antioxidant support*
- 4g of Myo-Inositol which promotes normal ovulation cycles and helps support healthy hormone levels*
I’ve been taking Fertility Support for a full cycle now, but you can also start taking it three months before a fertility milestone. I take two servings daily (one scoop for each serving), once in the morning and once at night. I mix it in any 8-12 ounces of liquid and find that it dissolves perfectly in ice-cold water after mixing with a spoon, frother, or shaker bottle. The light lemon taste is subtle but present enough to make drinking water not feel like a chore, almost like a light lemonade. In the mornings I’m in a hurry, I’ll toss some in my water bottle so even if chasing after my 2.5-year-old takes precedence, I’ll eventually finish it. I’ve taken it before or after a meal and have had no side effects or an upset stomach either. Ritual also has a coupon you can use to get 25% off by using code TEM25!
Tracking your cycle (and symptoms) is powerful
Understanding your body and how your cycle impacts your chances of conception is vital knowledge that can only help you. You are ultimately the manager of your own body and since most of our health teachers seemed to skip over women’s health, it’s imperative to learn about your cycle and what symptoms you need to look for in your body.
For instance, it took me until adulthood to learn that there are four phases of the menstrual cycle that each hold a purpose. The first day of a cycle starts the first day of a period, which kicks off the menstrual phase. Menstruation is followed by the follicular phase, ovulation, and then the luteal phase. Each phase comes with accompanying physical symptoms, and being in tune with them has helped me understand exactly what my body is doing. Identifying each phase is an essential part of the TTC process, especially now that I’m seeing a fertility specialist. Did I ever think I would be describing in detail the consistency of my vaginal mucus to a physician? No, but here we are and I feel powerful having that knowledge.
It’s okay if your cycle varies from month to month
Before seeing my OBGYN, I would obsess over my cycle length varying from month to month. If it was four days longer or shorter, I’d stress out and worry about what that means about my body. And because ovulation is usually 14 days before the next period, I feel like I’m spending most of the month testing for my fertile window anytime my cycle varies. I’ve been so hyper-fixated on doing everything that I can to get pregnant that I read into every little detail of my body. But then, my OBGYN eased my concerns and by informing me that it’s completely normal to have a cycle between 28 and 35 days. Hey, at least now I know that I can use Subscribe & Save for ovulation test strips in bulk from Amazon.
Prioritizing your health and stress is incredibly important
Prioritizing your health and stress levels is incredibly important. It’s easy to put yourself last as a mom and, most days, I do just that. But a year of TTC and fertility appointments is a very poignant reminder that you can’t expect your body to do something as massive as house another human when you don’t take care of it. So yes, sometimes I extend my hair wash days a little too long or work out way less than I’d like. But I still put more effort into eating healthy, drinking water, and getting some form of movement in—even if that movement is the quick sprint from the playroom to the bathroom while potty training. I also focus on spending what little free time I have on things that positively fuel my mental health.
You’ll have to constantly reframe your expectations
TTC is an emotional rollercoaster. Inevitably each month, at the end of my cycle, I can’t help but start to get excited. How will I tell my husband this time? What cute “big sister” shirt should I order on Etsy? How far apart would my kids be? Period symptoms and pregnancy symptoms look the same. Pair that with a cycle that can vary in length, and you’ll be convincing yourself you’re pregnant only to have to go out and buy another box of tampons the next day. As much as I try to keep my expectations to a minimum, the disappointment of a negative pregnancy test hurts in a different way than it did the first time. This time, I know exactly what I am missing out on.
It’s hard being in a stage where you’re waiting to move up to the next big life event. It’s sometimes even harder to be thankful for your body rather than looking for things that could be wrong with it. However, I try to remind myself that the perfect baby meant to be part of our family, will come. Obsessing over little details unfortunately won’t hurry that timeline along. I also try to focus on all the good that I have now. I try to pause and think about how wonderful my life is in the present and how I’ll never get back these moments with just my daughter.
When that doesn’t work, I try to think about how sick I was when I was pregnant the first time and what having constant nausea would be like with an active toddler. I’ve even implemented a “treat yourself” policy following a negative pregnancy test. The one caveat is that it must be something I’d have to give up when pregnant. Dirty Martini? Hell yes and go ahead and send the oyster appetizer as well. Botox? My forehead thinks so. Pants that aren’t elastic in the waistband? Yes, yes I do deserve them. It may not solve everything, but self-care is absolutely essential during the TTC rollercoaster.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Allyson Trammell, Editor-in-Chief of The Everygirl
Allyson first joined The Everygirl Media Group back in 2012 and subsequently worked in marketing, social media, and influencer outreach at Lulu and Georgia. Now a mom-of-one and the editor-in-chief of The Everygirl, Allyson leads the brand’s editorial strategy, growth, audience development, and all content.
This post contains a sponsored inclusion of Ritual but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and .Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease