You have reached that point where you are ready to start Planning A Family. You feel ready to start a new life together as a family and you are hoping to conceive quickly. OR you are hoping to adopt quickly. But there are a million questions still, and pregnancy isn’t always as easy as it seems on TV. So what do you need to know?
My readers here know that I am an adoptive parent, blogger and social media consultant. I community manage a few infertility patient groups. I know more about fertility, infertility and adoption than I do about pregnancy, but I have partnered with Church and Dwight this year, and they have a few products that can help you if you are planning a family.
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Here are a few questions and answers to get you on the right track when Planning A Family.
1. How can I keep track of my cycle?
Simple! Pick up a First Response® Digital Ovulation Test, which predicts your most fertile days based on your personal LH surge. Remember that the best time to start tracking your cycle is before you start trying to conceive. Your two most fertile days begin with the LH surge and you are most likely to get pregnant if you have intercourse within 24-36 hours after you detect your personal LH surge. A lot of my regular readers know very well what an LH surge is and the role it has in planning a family. But don’t panic if you’ve never heard of your LH surge before! If you’re curious, visit firstresponse.com for more info.
2. How Long Should it Take to Conceive?
This depends on a lot of factors, such as age, and health. Did you know that chances of conceiving on any given cycle, if you are healthy, and under 28 years old are about 25 %? As you get older it can take longer. Don’t be discouraged. Be attentive and keep a diary/ journal of when you really started trying to conceive. It might help if you encounter any fertility issues. If it takes longer than a year to get pregnant you should consult a fertility specialist immediately. And if you are over 35 and it’s taking longer than six months to conceive then you need to find a specialist.
3. I am thinking about adopting. How long does it take?
There’s no one answer to that question either. If you are trying to do a straightforward adoption and you’ve done all the courses and the home study it can be anywhere from a few months to a few years. This also depends on the type of adoption you are seeking – international, domestic or private. Adoption timeframe also depends on the age group you are seeking. If you are only wanting to be matched with a healthy baby girl stat right from the hospital then be prepared to wait.
4. I think I may be pregnant. Now what?
First of all congratulations! Second of all, you can use The First Response™ Early Result Pregnancy Test to tell you if you’re pregnant up to six days before your missed period. If you’re interested in sharing the news with friends and family, how you share it is up to you! But I love these adorable pregnancy announcements.
5. Who will take care of me during my pregnancy?
That’s up to you and your partner. Midwife, doctor, doula – these are all options you can choose to care for you during your pregnancy. Do some reading and ask your friends who they trust, or what worked for them? Pick the person who you feel most comfortable with after gathering all the facts.
6. What should I pack in my hospital bag?
Dozens of blogs out there can help you decide what needs to go with you. Pick a list that feels right to you and start shopping/collecting the items. You’ll want to have the bag packed and ready to go well before your bundle of joy arrives. FYI if you are adopting you might need to wait. We picked out a range of things for baby’s arrival. Although we stipulated that we would adopt a child under the age of 2, there’s a huge difference between a newborn and an 18-month-old. It’s hard to be prepared for all the possible scenarios and ages when you adopt.
7. How else can I prepare?
Make sure to take time for yourself! Unwind after a busy day with a good book and a cup of tea. There won’t be much reading for awhile once baby arrives. Plan a weekend getaway. Curl up on the couch and watch your favourite movie. Make sure to exercise regularly. If you are pregnant the nine months will go faster than you think. Same can sometimes be said for adoption.
Time can go quickly whether you adopt or conceive and give birth. Being prepared is essential, especially as you tackle sleepless nights and dozens of diaper changes! Stock up on some of the essentials – blankets and bottles are a must. Decide whether you will cloth diaper or use store bought diapers. And get the room ready. Keep a journal if waiting is not your favourite thing. That helped me when we were waiting for our first daughter during the adoption process.
Don’t forget to also stock the medicine cabinet with diaper cream and something to help with colic, such as OVOL™ Drops, which is a simple, alcohol-free solution that can be added to a bottle or used on its own. It helps relieve discomfort caused by trapped gas, making it easier for babies to pass gas and burp at feeding time. Our daughter was 6 weeks old when she joined our family and she definitely was a baby who used a lot of OVOL™ Drops.
Don’t forget to ask your doctor first to find out if this product is right for your new baby!
Do you have a story about pregnancy or adoption? If so, I’d love to hear it.
This post was sponsored by Church and Dwight. I am a brand ambassador with Church and Dwight and as such I am compensated. My opinion is all my own and it is truthful.