The Road from TTC to Pregnant

When I first began my journey to try to have a baby I was so anxious, excited and scared. In my journey of preparing and researching fertility I realized how not-easy it was for so many people. It seemed as though many friends I knew in college were able to get pregnant easy enough but for many, I didn't know the story behind their baby story.

As I learned the challenges some of my friends faced I began to wonder what my journey would be like.. I wondered how long it would take for us to get pregnant. I didn't know why I'd feel so confidant about it being the time to try to have a baby then it take years to happen... But maybe it would just be a trial for me to overcome. I wondered if we were secretly infertile. I knew, and know so many people who didn't know why they weren't conceiving, why their cycles were irregular, why they had to wait a year to get professional help.

I sorta knew way to much to begin with. My cycle was 28 days exactly but I knew that didn't guarantee my fertility. What if the problem wasn't with me, but with my spouse? I prepared as best as I could, but all I could do was hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

I know some thought my ramblings of insecurity were premature... And perhaps it was, but it wasn't a mockery I was portraying... Rather my true feelings on the topic of trying to conceive. And I imagine they're similar feelings of any woman who wants to become a mother... A woman who has compassion for friends she knows has struggled but wonders what her fate will be.

I was shocked, to say the least to find out I was pregnant... And so quickly. But I also felt like I had immediately become a traitor to my friends who were still in the trenches of TTC. I had only gotten a taste of the trial and already I was rescued from the pits... Leaving them behind. I felt so bad at first, I didn't know how to be excited, how to share my excitement while not causing pain. I KNOW how that feels. I didn't know it to the same extreme, but there were so many times... Even before we were trying that I wished we were in the right time and place to have a child. Then after beginning to bring a baby into our home, I got just a taste of the sting when a friend shared the news of their new baby. I could only imagine how that feeling is magnified by YEARS of experience and pain.

I knew what NOT to do... I knew how much I hated people telling me time and time again just to "relax." All of my research and preparing could have come across as stressing but I really was just trying to be informed. I know that's not a piece of advice I'll give to someone who is TTC. ...Because I'm sure they've heard it enough already. I know I did and we weren't trying for years and years. Actually I don't think I'd give anyone advice... Unless they specifically ask me for mine.

I didn't know what to do but blog on, as I had always been... Express my fears, excitement, frustrations, everything as I always have, and hope not to offend or hurt anyone. All the while I'm praying my friends trying to have a baby aren't far behind. Sometimes I don't know what to say, if I've said too much. All I can do is be myself, be honest, and hope I'm not hurting anyone, and hope that anyone struggling knows I'm not doing anything inspite of them.

My situation of expressing my journey has been unusual to say the least. I think most women start documenting their TTC journey once they've been trying for awhile... Maybe even once they've been diagnosed with infertility. I loved helping other women who were in the same boat as me, or not yet TTC but getting ready.

I know I'm not alone with this feeling either though because as some of my TTC friends cross over to the pregnancy side with me, they secretly message me with their excitement, I assume feeling the same sense of worry for expressing their happiness. It's such a quick and drastic change, and sometimes difficult to absorb and explain.

I want my friends on all sides of the TTC fence to know I love you, I support you, and I'm here for you in whatever way you want me to help!

I know my tone has changed based on what I'm going through but I'm still thinking and praying about my TTC friends daily.

Before I found out I was pregnant Fertilaid contacted me about doing a review and giveaway. I found out I was pregnant shortly after but still wanted to offer this Little Bundle Pack to one of my TTC readers... If you still read.

Here's info about the Little Bundle Starter Pack:

The Little Bundle Starter Pack helps ensure proper nutrition, promotes hormonal balance and improves cervical mucus production; all of which play an important role in the conception process.

FertilAid for Women is a doctor-designed supplement that takes a dual approach to aiding conception. It contains a full prenatal vitamin supplement (including folic acid) as well as an herbal blend of fertility enhancing herbs that help to regulate the hormones and normalize one's cycle. This "Just Right" formula of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and herbs (such as vitex) is designed to improve your odds of conceiving.

Without fertile quality cervical mucus, sperm have a difficult time making their way to the egg. FertileCM is designed to improve both the quantity and quality of a woman's cervical mucus. In addition to mucus production, FertileCM helps to strengthen the uterine lining for better implantation of the embryo.

FertilAid for Women and FertileCM complement one another and were formulated to be taken safely together. Both are natural, non-prescription supplements designed to improve overall reproductive health and help you conceive.

But I'm going to up the prize a little. You get a Little Bundle Starter Pack PLUS goodies from me.
I'm throwing in my 4 Pulling Down the Moon Fertility ARTeas (I've only used a few table spoons of each) the containers are practically full!

Pulling Down the Moon ARTeas Cleanse ($10.95)
Pulling Down the Moon ARTeas Implantation ($10.95)
Pulling Down the Moon ARTeas Nourish ($10.95)
Pulling Down the Moon ARTeas Ovulation Support ($10.95)

A tube of Conceive Plus ($16.50)

A Clearblue Easy Digital Pregnancy test! ($8)

Self Fertility Massage DVD ($29.95)

1 FertilAid for Women
and 1 FertileCM ($45)

So about a $145 Value!!

Also, everyone gets a free download to Circle + Blooms Fertility Relaxation program for cycle days 1, 5, and 13. They recently lowered their prices and I HIGHLY recommend checking it out. It's the one thing I used religiously the month I got pregnant, and it really is relaxing. Try it for free before you buy!

You can also use coupon code "newyearsavings" to receive 10% off at www.fairhavenhealth.com.

I know it's not much, I wish I could do more, wish I knew what to say and that I could make EVERYONE pregnant (wouldn't that be nice?) But this is a little something I wanted to add to my Full Term of Giveaways for you. Consider this your TTC Kickoff Package. Whether you've been trying awhile or not, this is Baby Makin(g) Machine's good luck baby dusting basket of goodies!!

All you have to do is leave a comment to enter telling me why you'd like to win.

That's all! If you would like extra entries here are ways you can enter (leave a comment for each):

-Vote for Baby Makin(g) Machine as top 50 Mommyblog on Babble (once per day)

-Follow my blog.
-Visit Fertilaid and tell me another product you'd like to try
-Follow @Fertilaidamy on Twitter
-Tweet "I'm in it to win a $145 fertility package from @FutureMama including Fertilaid from @FertilaidAmy http://bit.ly/7Zwk2j" (2Xs per day)
-Give me a pregnancy tip!
-Become my Facebook Fan
-Add my NEW button to your blog!
-Add my Full Terms of Giveaway button to your blog.
-Post about this giveaway on your blog.
-Email Subscribe to my blog (don't forget to confirm your email!) OR Subscribe to my blog through one of these feeds (let me know which one in comments).
-Vote for me on Top Baby Blogs (per day/computer) (just click the link)
-Tell me how you heard about this giveaway (you read my blog regularly, saw it on Twitter, etc.)

This giveaway ends January 22nd at 11:59pm. I'll choose a winner using Random.org Goodluck!