How long in advance should we start preparing?

I would suggest that you stop taking the pill asap.

Get plenty of rest

De-stress as much as possible. Studies have shown that stress can cause infertility because the body wants to ensure the survival of the fetus. The Body still operates under the "rules" of nature and it can't determine if the stress is from to much work related stress or if it is due to a stress ridden environment due to any number of factors.

In the recent past the stress could be from a survival situation, where food shelter and resources were threatened.

The body would decide NOT to allow conception because it assumes the environment can't support it.

Definitely exercise and try to get in the best shape you can, work on your core muscle group...it will help with delivery and recovery after delivery.

I did and after 2 children I don't have any stretch marks and I went back to my original weigh within 6 months.

Also plan on breastfeeding, it is beneficial so many ways to both the Mother and the Baby.

According to a report issued by the United States Breastfeeding Committee that summarizes current research regarding the many benefits of breastfeeding, breastfed children when compared with formula-fed children:

* are healthier, and when they do get sick, have fewer symptoms and shorter illnesses;

* score higher on cognitive and IQ tests at school age as well as on tests of visual acuity;

* have a lower incidence of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS;

* are less likely to suffer from infectious illnesses and their symptoms, such as diarrhea, ear infections, respiratory tract infections and meningitis;

* are less likely to contract food and waterborne infections such as salmonellosis;

* have a lower risk of the two most common inflammatory bowel diseases;

* suffer less often from some forms of cancer, including Hodgkin's disease and childhood leukemia;

* have a lower risk of juvenile onset diabetes, if they have a family history of the disease and are breastfed for at least four months;

* are significantly protected against asthma and eczema, if they are predisposed to allergic disorders and are exclusively breastfed for at least four months;

* may have a lower risk of obesity in childhood and adolescence; and

* have fewer cavities and are less likely to require braces.

Scientific evidence also has indicated that breastfeeding provides a wide range of benefits for mothers including the following.

* Women who have breastfed are less likely to develop ovarian and pre-menopausal breast cancers. The more months a woman has spent breastfeeding, the greater the beneficial effect.

* Breastfeeding reduces risk of osteoporosis.

* Breastfeeding mothers enjoy a quicker recovery after childbirth, with a reduced risk of postpartum bleeding.

* Mothers who breastfeed are more likely to return to their pre-pregnancy weight than mothers who formula feed.

* Exclusive breastfeeding may reduce the risk of anemia by delaying the return of the menstrual cycle for 20 to 30 weeks.

* Breastfeeding mothers have been reported to be more confident and less anxious than bottle-feeding mothers.

* Breastfeeding contributes to feelings of attachment between a mother and her child.

Eat Whole Foods - Fresh fruits, Veggies, lean meats...skip the process crap foods until you stop nursing once the baby is born.

Vitamins and herbal /medicinal alternatives are recommended to - Remember Garbage in Garbage out - keep your body clean.

Your about to grow a baby so you want a healthy toxin free body.

Good Luck and welcome to Parenthood...it begins NOW :)

Each step you take now will be a positive step towards a great experience.

I think it's great that you are "thinking" and planning for this precious gift :)

Peace

Stop taking the pill ASAP. Sometimes it takes years to get pregnant after stopping the pill, but a lot of people have conceived after 3 months of being off the pill. All you can really do before getting pregnant is eat healthy, start an exercise routine you can stick to that isn't TOO strenuous. And try to keep your stress level to a minimum. And don't get too frustrated if at first you don't conceive. Just have fun trying!! Oh, and you might want to start charting your ovulation. They have on line calendars for that. And it will tell you how to chart by checking your mucous, and taking your basal body temperature. Good Luck! :]

You don't need to make any doctor's appointments in advance. Once you find out your pregnant, call the doctor and let him/her know, they probably won't want to see you until you are at least 7 or 8 weeks pregnant.

You should be off the pill for at least a month (but preferably 3 months) prior to starting to try. Also, you need to start taking pre-natal vitamins WHILE you are trying. Being on them when you conceive significantly reduces your chances for certain birth defects.

Other than that, just continue to take good care of yourself. Get lots of protein and fiber. Stay well rested. Best of luck to you and your hubby!

Just get a physical done to make sure that you do not have high blood pressure or anything that will be even more complicated once you pregnant. But it sounds like you are right on track. Get an ovulation estimator (CVS), stop drinking alcohol or limit it, just in case you do get pregnant and don't know it. And I would also coincide getting off the pill having intercourse all in the same week. Your hormone are out of control when you get off of birth control, maybe making it easier to get pregnant.

First off...know that you won't always be able to pick what month you have a baby in unless you only have unprotected sex 2 or 3 times a year. Be prepared to be unprepared. Know that you can't know everything and when you get pregnant or have your baby the books can be tossed because they won't help or make a difference for most. Know that your health and all of that needs to be discussed with a doctor and no amount of internet or books will help you as much as a one on one visit.

Find an OB. Sometimes they let you interview them before you actually get pregnant.

Definitely stop the pill as it can take you a little bit sometimes after you stop.

Your doing great exercising and eating healthier. those are key.

Relax, don't stress,

Find out when you ovulate and keep track of periods. There's some websites that help you with that.

Schedule an annual exam with your OB if you're due for one soon. Start taking a good prenatal vitamin a few months before you start trying. Many OB's tell you to go off the pill three months before you intend to start trying, but I didn't and got pregnant the first month!

I would start taking your prenatal vitamins now and maybe (if you're confortable with it) go off the pill now and just use condoms so you can give your body some time to get back on it's normal cycle until you are ready to start trying. Other then that talk to your Doc to let him know you are trying and he will have tons of other advice for you.

you will need to come off the pill now really then! it took me and my bf 6 months to get pregnant after i came off the pill, it doesnt just happen, it can take up to a year to concieve!

so dont even try to get pregnant for a due month! it propbably wont happen, take pre- natal vits, folic acid and come off the pill start to chart your periods and when you ovulate and then fingers crossed its down to luck then!

were both in our early 20`s no health problems, drink very little dont smoke and still took 6 months to concieve and that was with all the above charting etc and using ovulation kits!

good luck x

Go ahead and start taking your prenatal vitamins. I'm like you (in school) and we had to plan our pregnancy carefully so that it would fall inbetween school semesters for me. We did see our family doctor beforehand and he gave us some good tips to conceive easily so I do recommend that. Following his advice, using an ovulation calender (not a kit, just a free calender), and the folic acid from the prenatal vitamins helped us conceive at our planned time. Good luck!