What I wish I would have told myself

A little bit about me.

Age-24 (almost 25 in April)

-married almost 3 years (very happy)

-special education teacher 

The thing I have wanted most in life is a family above all things. As soon as we were married out of college, the questions began, when are you having babies?? You're next! (You know how it goes) 😤.. We wanted to take a couple of years to enjoy each other without bringing. Baby into the mix so soon( everyone has their own preferences).  My sister in law has two kids whom I adore and seeing them brightens our day and I will say seeing her family grow definitely tempted is to start trying but we waited. Waited until last summer while ona family beach vacation. I randomly texted my husband while in the room and said, hey. I think I'm ready for a family, what about you? (I know this seems silly but it just randomly laid heavy in my heart and yes it was a text) his response was, let's talk about it a little later. So we did, and July was our first month "trying". 

How naive I was..thinking that after our first month of unprotected sex that I'd get pregnant! Even though we had no clue and were naive it hurt so bad to see that negative pregnancy test after one month of trying. I don't cry very often but I did that month but didn't for the next 7 because I learned from the hurt. 

I began researching, and was thinking "ok 6 months, you have 6 months to do this and learn, 80% of couples get pregnant so you should too!" Each month, I learned more and more about my body. Symptoms that arent pregnancy symptoms, that my boobs can randomly become sore weeks  earlier than usual in my cycle..

By month 7 I was still positive but stopped trying so dang hard. I stopped doing the every other day thing and just  started having sex when my LH lines got darker. Went on mini vacation like everyone says to do, didn't get pregnant that month. 

Last month, again I just didn't dress, it's almost a numbing feeling. I definitely care but you can't invest you're whole being the entire ttc journey  without going insane. 

I had barely looked at my fertile week. Knew what week it was but had the couple start dates of the week confused so I did not actually realize it had started until after I had had sex two days before ovulation when I went to go log it. I then saw dang, I'm close to ovulation day so I took ovulation tests the next couple of days and they got darker and darker. What I loved about this month was that I did not take a week long strand of ovulation tests. I knew my body and took them closer ovulation when the line would start getting darker. You pressure yourself less to schedule sex so early in the week when it more than likely won't make a difference.

Anyways. I had sex two days before , the day before and the day of ovulation (darkest LH surge)..yes I planned sex the day before and day of but that was so much better than forcing sex every other day and then by your peek day you're tired out. (For us anyways with stressful jobs)

I didn't focus on symptoms. Yes of course I thought about it at work but didn't let it consume me. My boobs were sore a couple days after ovulation but I knew better than to think anything of it. I went to my friends house over the weekend , had some drinks enjoyed ourselves. I felt a twinge/pull  to the left of my belly button the next couple which I had felt similiar sensations before so I knew better than to think anything of it once again.

4. Don't do any of the extra stuff. Mucinex? Pineapples? Even tried Preseed. Ladies we are trying too hard! Just relax.

5. It's okay to be upset about not being pregnant. Tell God and prayer for his will for your life. 

6. Be content. 8 months flew by and I feel I can't remember anything other than trying to conceive. ENJOY THE NOW. 

7. Tell at least one person that you are trying. You need that supports.

8. Do you know how much your body keeps you from getting pregnant every month?? It's not your fault! It's your anatomy.

9. When you do get pregnant, finally, don't worry so much! Stop researching, stop testing to be sure you're still pregnant. Just enjoy the moment.

Thanks y'all and I hope this encouraging :)