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

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.

Annoying Husbands/ Boyfriends.

I've heard many women complaining that their partners aren't sharing the same passion as them when trying to conceive (TTC). It can be frustrating when your partner says he's too tired or isn't in the mood especially when he knows how much TTC means to you. The most important thing is not to get stressed about it. Don't let it plague your mind, because when you are trying for a baby, stress is the last thing you need on your plate.

A lot of men don't understand or share the same passion for trying to have a baby and to put it simply, it's probably because women are the ones who go all out when TTC. For example we will go and buy softcups, chart our cycles, buy ovulation prediction kits, chart our basal body temperature (BBT) etc. and because we do all of this, the experience of TTC is much for intense for women as desperation, frustration and impatience creep in regularly.

It's easy for women to get frustrated at their partners for not committing to TTC as much as they should be, but don't get upset. Instead, the most effective thing you can do is talk to him and let him know how upset you are about his lack of enthusiasm towards TTC.

The other vital thing to remember is try not to make sex a chore because sometimes we can indirectly cause men to be put off sex when we keep on mentioning babies and TTC. If you get angry with him, he will more than likely get angry with you and it will become a vicious and unnecessary cycle. Remember that you're not alone with how you're feeling. Many women get emotional and upset because of their partner's lack of willingness towards TTC. Try and make sex interesting and try different things to make it more exciting for the both of you. You might find that he sees TTC as less of a chore if you spice things up a bit!