Preparations

Loren went to the doctor yesterday. Actually he went twice. The first visit was to check in to see if there is anything he should be doing pre-pregnancy to get healthy.  The second appointment was to find out if he is narcoleptic...more on that later.

The doctor told him that he really doesn't have to worry much about changing his diet.  Other doctors might try to convince him to buy fancy, expensive vitamins and supplements, but that it really isn't necessary. Taking a multivitamin and fish oil is plenty good enough.  Going to gym and bringing his wife flowers once in a while would do just as well as the fancy vitamins. Sounds like good advice to me.

Loren also learned some optimistic information as we have been a little concerned about how our weekend indulgences might effect fertility and the health of the future baby.  Apparently there is little to fear.  The embryo survives off its self for the first two weeks of pregnancy. Which means it's not until the end of week two that the fetus starts getting nutrients from the mom.

It amazes me how well nature works its self out. Have your period, two weeks later ovulate, impregnate and then you find out two weeks after that that you're pregnant because you've missed your period and now you know it's time to cut all the bad stuff out of your diet.  Regardless of this new intriguing information we are still on the track towards optimal health.  We've been going to the gym more regularly,  eating a more balanced diet and have stopped with the alcohol.  I've yet to cut out coffee and am honestly pretty petrified to do so.

I went to the doctor today for a quick appointment. I had my IUD removed. I was super scared because it was such a painful process going in, but it was quick and easy and was only crampy for the second that it took to get it out.  I was shocked at how big it was and can actually tell it's out of my body.  I've pretty much had mild cramps everyday for the past how ever many years of my life and finally they are gone.  At first the doctor was telling me that Loren and I should wait about 3 months for my period to regulate before we start trying.  After I told her I had the copper IUD (hormone free), she said we could start trying right away.  Her advice was that we try all month, not just when I am ovulating for a better chance of success. The most important days to try a few days plus and minus when you are ovulating.

She also suggested I take a prenatal vitamin and fish oil.  She said I didn't have to give up the multivitamin but that I should switch as soon as it runs out. Prior to being pregnant she said a one a day dose is ok, but once I'm pregnant she would like me to switch to a dose that is split up and spread out over the course of the day (three pills a day).   For the fish oil she recommended 450 mgs of DHA and EPA and wanted to be sure that there is a total of 1200-1600 Omega 3's.  So far I'm on track.

Looks like we are good to go.