Planning for your first baby....

angelfairy

Hello everyone,

My husband shocked me last weekend by saying next month he thinks I should come off the pill and we should start trying to for baby and 'see what happens'.

I am a major worry wart and like to plan most things. So I am looking for some advice (and I am reading through different threads) as to what I should be thinking about to see if it is the right thing for us at the moment (I appreciate many say there is never a right time).

I have a few obstacles to overcome (we will have to get a place of our own and my family are all in Australia so that is difficult).

However, I am looking for pointers on where I can or need to save money that the main stream pregnancy books/websites won't tell you.

Thanks for listening and I wecolme any advice.

Bec

heather38

get your self over to the oldstyle board for tips on saving money on food and shopping budgets.
also friends/ebay/freecycle/nct sales are good for baby stuff.
tbh you can't really prepare for a baby, believe me it's such a lifestyle change that you just get on with it, and life will never be the same again.
stock up on stuff on offer or bogof where you can, baby clothes are used for such a short time that handme downs or tesco/asda clothes are ok, they'll be covered in sick/poo/milk anyway so you don't need to spend a fortune

Bagpuss1973

Apparently you are meant to take folic acid for 12 weeks BEFORE conceiving so I would start that straight away and then I think you take it for the first 12 weeks.

keelykat

Hello!

Yes-start taking a suppliment with folic acid in before you do actually conceive. but dont worry too much about it being 12 weeks before.

Its really exciting planning things like this! (well i think so!)

Good luck!

keely.

lea76

There is no "perfect time" to plan one - no matter how little money you have you still cope ... babies only need milk and love (til they get older ha ha)

I would make sure you have a boots and tesco points card and stock up on all the BOGOF and half price offers on nappies, wipes and toiletries. defo take the folic acid and good luck.

I loved being pregnant

Justie

start taking folic acid, stop taking multivits unless they're pregnancy ones, stop drinking alcohol/smoking (save any money you would have spent on them) and watch what medicines you use

start trying to live off one salary and saving the other - however hard you think it is now it'll be harder once you have a child and no time or head space to make decisions.

on the baby stuff front once you are pregnant - be a tart
take anything offered on Freecycle (you can always reoffer it later) and don't be shy of borrowing from friends and family. We've bought a car seat, a cot mattress and some cloth nappies and everything else has been borrowed, donated or given as gifts for out 5 month old. I'm now getting toys as well as clothes etc off Freecycle and it's amazing what quality things you can get (lots of wooden toys!)

babies themselves aren't that expensive (unless you want them to be) it's the lack of a second income (or a reduced one) that's the hardest thing to deal with and if you can save now then it'll give you more choices later in terms of how you and your OH work and do childcare

and when you say a place of your own do you mean buy somewhere or just live on your own as a couple? Don't rush into buying a house just because you might get pregnant. And babies tend to make their own time - it's hard to find the 'perfect' window.

*niptuckfan*

hi beccaoz

im kind of in the same boat, came off pill in December, hoping to give my body time to adjust as been on it for a long time, intital plans are to start actively trying in the summer ,i am taking folic acid just now just incase

i have no moneysaving advise, its all on these boards so just start reading and hope you enjoy this time!

*Louise*

Good luck - it's a big step, but one you won't regret. (And how nice that your hubby made the first mention of it)

Like previously said - borrow. Baby stuff is always in pretty good condition as it's used for such a short amount of time.

Start taking folic acid as soon as you come off the pill.

Asda has a great chioce of clothes - and they don't fall to bits.

Look for BOGOF's - Asda has a special baby week in February - should be a lot of offers on them (Might be a bit early for you, that one, but look out for the next time)

When you do get pregnant - 12 weeks before you are due, you can apply for a surestart maternity grant. It's £500 and will buy a lot of baby things.

Also, child tax credits after the birth will help a little towards any shortfall due to the loss of your wages.

^^I know it sounds like I'm assuming you're going to fall pregnant straight away...but you did say you like to be prepared.;)