Waiting to Try Preparations.

There are several things that you and your other half (OH) can do whilst waiting to try (WTT) for a baby. Here's a list of things that I'd recommend you do:

1. Get to a healthy weight
2. Eat more fresh food i.e. salads, greens and fruit
3. Take men's/ women's vitamins
4. Join a gym
5. Go on daily walks
6. Establish a regular sleeping pattern
7. Learn to control your stress
8. If you smoke, stop smoking
9. If you drink alcohol, drink significantly less
10. Try to cut out caffeine i.e. coffee and coca cola

Softcups.

Up until a couple of days ago, I had absolutely no idea what softcups were and what they were used for. I kept hearing softcups being mentioned in forums and I eventually decided to research what their purpose was. I found out that a softcup is a cervical cap that allows sperm to concentrate right at the entrance of the cervix, boosting your chances of conceiving.

Apparently, softcups are used to boost fertility, and according to what I've heard, they actually work! If you're trying to conceive, the softcup is apparently a fantastic product which can be purchased online quite cheaply.

I personally haven't used the product myself but I've heard it may be used for male issues such as a low sperm count or motility and a lot of couples have tried it with great success.

To find out more information about this rapidly growing popular product, visit http://www.softcup.com/.

Coming Off the Pill.

A common question asked amongst women who are trying to conceive (TTC) is "how long after coming off birth control (the pill) does it take for my cycle to regulate itself?"

The problem with that question is it varies from woman to woman, so no one answer can apply to everyone. A few things that should be considered when asking how long it will take for your cycle to regulate, is how long you were on the pill for. There does seem to be a common trend amongst women - those who have been on the pill for years will probably regulate at a slower rate than those who only used it for weeks or a few months. Another point to consider is how long after you come off the pill does the hormone start leaving your body. With the pill, it stays in your system for much longer than other contraception does (i.e. the implanon will be out of your system within 72 hours whereas it will take at least a couple of months for the hormones the pill produces to be out of your system).

It's not uncommon for women's cycles to be all over the place after coming off the pill and it's also normal not have a period for months (which can be frustrating if you want to chart your cycle because you are TTC).

Some women are lucky and they will have a period within just a few days or weeks and their cycle will regulate itself in record time, but once again, there are several things that affect how long it will take for your cycle to regulate.

With the pill, patience is required. You probably won't get pregnant soon after coming off it. Expect to wait at least a couple of months, but it usually does take longer that a couple of months for everything to return back to normal. Don't be disheartened - just find the strength to wait it out.

Lean on Me by Glee

There can be so many different moments when you're feeling down or alone whilst trying to conceive (TTC), waiting to try (WTT) or whilst you're actually pregnant. If you feel like no one understands you or they don't see where you're coming from or how you truly feel, I recommend you listen to Lean on Me (the Glee version). I think I'm recommending mostly because in the TV show, it is sang to Quinn and Finn who are expecting a baby. It's a nice song choice if you want to be reminded that you're not alone and I think the lyrics make it an amazing "feel good" song (especially with the way the Glee cast sing it).

Unique/ Unusual Baby Names.

Here is a list of a few unique/ unusual babies names that I've heard of. If you've heard of any more, feel free to leave a comment and tell us.

Boys:
1. Stone
2. Pirate
3. Storm
4. Shaden
5. Arik
6. Boston
7. Oak
8. Locryn
9. Caelan
10. Clemment
11. Zeph
12. McKennon
13. Xephirr
14. Zendrik

Girls:
1. Mirror
2. Blackbird
3. Diletta
4. Persephone
5. Santana
6. Poem
7. Ryan
8. Pikabo
9. Paisley
10. Storm
11. Pepper
12. Echo
13. Hannica
14. Willow
15. Harmony
16. Kennedy

Food, Food, Food!

I've heard loads of different things that pregnant women have been craving, and interesting to see what kind of foods they love. Here are a few that I've read about:

Baked Potatoes with Sour Cream

Apples with Peanut Butter

I've even heard some women saying they've craved non-food stuffs (not to eat, but to drink or smell instead). These are things like:

Dishwasher Tablets

Air Freshener

Nail Polish

Petrol

Surface Cleanser

Fabric Pens

Cleaning Fluids

Dry Shampoo Spray

If you have/ had any unique cravings, feel free to leave a comment letting us know what kind of foods that you loved or are loving now.

Three in a Bed by Carmen Reid

Last year I read a book called Three in a Bed and I actually thought it was pretty good. My other half (OH) got it for me and because of the topic (pregnancy), I read it straight away. The book is a fictional novel based around a woman wanting to get pregnant, but the story is not so much about her trying to conceive or about her waiting to try, it's mostly about her journey throughout her pregnancy and the hardships and exciting moments that come her way. It goes in to detail about things such as morning sickness and raging hormones, and it's generally quite a humorous book, so if you're in need of a laugh, this is a good book to read.

Pregnancy Films That I Love.

There are a couple of pregnancy films that I love to watch sometimes.

The first one I want to mention is Knocked Up (2007) starring Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl and Paul Rudd. It's a hilarious comedy movie about a one night stand that leads to pregnancy. It's definitely a feel good film, so if you haven't watched, I recommend you do! The second pregnancy movie I love is Juno (2007), which is more concerned with teenage pregnancy, but it's still definitely a movie to watch.

Away We Go (2009) is another pregnancy movie, but to be honest it's not very interesting and gets quite boring at times but that's my own personal opinion - you might find it interesting so check out that movie too!

Men and Their Mixed Signals.

It can be pretty confusing when your other half (OH) is giving you mixed signals about trying to conceive (TTC) and it can get really frustrating. I've heard a lot of women saying that one minute their OH is one board with TTC and the next minute they can't be bothered and start making excuses not to try.

The best thing to do is simply sit down and chat and know where both of you stand with the matter. It may even be a good idea to decide to use the "not trying, not preventing" (NTNP) method to TTC because then your OH may not feel like he's plunging himself in to something he's not too sure about. The NTNP method can be really effective because it's more like your letting everything happen naturally instead of really going out of your way to TTC. I think many men would prefer this and would be much more comfortable with the idea of TTC this way.

The issue with men is that they may get excited about having a baby, but then the next minute they realise how much it will affect their life and how much things will change. It's then easy for them to start thinking of all the negatives of having a baby (stress, crying, finance, sleepless nights etc.) instead of the positives. Reassure him and maybe draw out a clear cut plan for him to see that it won't be all bad and in fact it will probably be the best thing that's ever happened to him.

Just remember not to get upset by your OH's fluctuating mind and try not to get angry or frustrated with him - stress isn't good for you.

Baby Envy!

The frustrating thing about trying to conceive (TTC) or waiting to try (WTT) is that there are babies constantly thrust in our faces. Everywhere we turn, everywhere we look, there will either be a heavily pregnant woman or a gorgeous new born bambino beside us. It's heartrending knowing that you are struggling to fall pregnant yet other women seem to be able to do it effortlessly (or even by accident).

I've noticed that even TV shows are taunting me: in 90210 last year, Adrianna was pregnant and this year in Glee, Quinn has fallen pregnant. Arggh! Frustrating! Constantly seeing babies means that babies are constantly on our minds and it's difficult not to get upset by it.

To keep myself sane, I just remember that my time will soon come even if it takes forever. I am hopeful and I make the most of every cycle to maximise my chances. Although it's hard, I deal with it and you can too! The waiting, stress and anxiety will all be worth it in the end.