Preparing for pregnancy/baby

**Cares** · 02-07-2011, 02:12 PM

Anyone else out there a stalker like me (or anyone who has already gone though all of this) who is WAITING to try for a baby, and is trying get their financial ducks in order? We have a bunch of things that need to be done. We miiiiight be trying in May, but not sure yet. All depends on how the finances are going. Anyone want to hang out with me and we can motivate each other to be good?

**Momto5RN** · 02-07-2011, 02:19 PM

awww thats exciting for you !!

sorry i had my five and my baby is 10 today LOL!!

**thesightofoneself** · 02-07-2011, 02:19 PM

i'm with you and good luck. i'm trying to get out of debt and have an emergency fund set up before thinking about concieving

**Cares** · 02-07-2011, 02:41 PM

Mom25RN, any advice and words of wisdom for us?

Thesightofoneself, hey cool! It's nice to have company!
I see that you have much less debt than we do. We may not pay it off completely before baby arrives, because we wanted our kids to be close in age and we'll still be able to make payments while I"m on leave. But we'll see, that's not totally decided yet. I'd like to get as far ahead as possible though. We do need to reno our bathroom (saving up for it Feb and March, reno in April), save for a trip to Disneyworld with our son next winter (and for our 5th wedding anniversary), and we're planning on having a large EF of $6000 for while I"m on mat leave. We shouldn't need to use it though (unless something big happens like car repairs) and then that'll start our down payment for the next house.

**sweetsinger912** · 02-07-2011, 03:43 PM

We are "technically" TTC already. I have some medical issues and have been told it will likely take years to get pregnant...and after being on BC for oh..14 years now (to treat my conditions) that will just make it even harder. We stopped preventing a pregnancy right after the wedding. We realize we could get pregnant tomorrow or never...but with my medical issues we wanted to start trying early. Our finances are coming along slowly...but I will say that I am more and more motivated by the chance of a baby. Things I was paying off slowly I'm attacking with a vengeance thinking about how much more stress-free a pregnancy would be with less or no debt. Good Luck!

**Telephus44** · 02-07-2011, 04:12 PM

No, but I've been there. When we were ready to start trying, I had a lousy job (with lousy pay) and DH was unemployed. Definitely not the right financial time to have a baby! It took 6 months to get it straightened out (new job for me, job for DH). So I understand the frustration.

I can remember that was right about time Brittany Spears announced her first pregnancy - because I can remember thinking "Even Brittany Spears is having a baby!"

Good luck - and just remember that it's not forever. The waiting part, that is :-)

**MissSeetonFan** · 02-07-2011, 05:53 PM

Good for you! Good luck with it all. I've had three so far on tight budgets.

Here are some of the things I did to prepare:

Start hunting for the resources. Is there a Kid-to-Kid consignment shop nearby. Browse your local thrift store to see what sorts of things they tend to carry for babies and small children. See if there is a consignment sale sponsored by groups like Just Between Friends (or another similar group) in your area. Start looking at ads online (Craigslist, your local news station, newspaper online) to see what people are selling things at. Strollers, bassinets, clothes etc.

Make your list of must-haves and would-like-to-have. Then do budgets for both.

Also, as Dave Ramsey says, if you are having a baby or planning soon, then start socking away money in a baby fund so that you can be more prepared for the pregnancy and birth. You may need to pull back on paying down debt.

**mndtrp** · 02-07-2011, 08:22 PM

I've always heard you'll never feel like you have enough money to start having children.

We'll be starting the baby-making type of lovin' this November. In the meantime, we've just been reading as much as possible for the cheap ways to do things. We've been getting things from others that are being given away, and then storing up in the basement.

**pollypurebred39** · 02-07-2011, 09:01 PM

This has nothing to do with saving money now, but if I had it to do all over again I'd have made sure I took my vitamins & fish oils at least a year before I got pregnant. Hindsight is 20/20. Throwing that in the ring because my youngest had certain health issues that were directly related to me not having an adequate vitamin store. Taking prenatal vitamins did not cover my deficit. Hopefully my very bad mistake can save someone here some heartache.

**Cares** · 02-08-2011, 02:05 PM

Sweetsinger, good luck on your ttc journey! I have quite a few friends who have fertility issues (PCOS, unexplained, or male factor), some of them went for fertility help and got pregnant, and a few others have yet to take that route. It’s very trying, but totally worth it in the end. Even the ones who it didn’t work for, they are sad but are glad they tried so they know they gave it their all. And, baby thoughts sure do motivate, don’t they?! Stressfree pregnancy would be wonderful

Telephus, I hate the “but everyone else is having a baby!” feeling. Totally sucks! But thanks – yup, it’s not forever. Just feels that way sometimes!

MissSeetonFan, we already have a little one, so we have TONS of stuff already. Would just need a new crib because his is a drop side. And if we have a girl next time around, I have many many friends who are just waiting to loan us clothes! Great advice though. Also, we had discussed slowing down our debt repayment so we can come up with a large EF for while I’m on mat leave (although we shouldn’t need to use it unless the car breaks down. Won’t need it for bills or groceries, etc.). So it’s great to hear that Dave Ramsey says this is a good idea (and we’re not nuts for doing that).

Mndtrp, we got things used and passed down from people and it all worked out great! You really don’t need new things, except a car seat (I think that’s supposed to be new, or within 5 years if you already had one bought for an older child). Used clothing is especially great. They end up getting spat on and other worse things that ruin them, so who cares if it’s not brand new? Good luck with everything!

Polly, I’m sorry your child has some health issues. Good for you for spreading the word though about vitamins and fish oils. I’ve been on both for a while

Thanks for the advice.

**Cares** · 02-24-2011, 03:31 PM

Just a wee little update that we'll be starting to try May 1st

We made a plan and we're stickin' to it! We both feel really good about it. And thank you all again for your suggestions! They are always welcome!

**pollypurebred39** · 02-24-2011, 03:59 PM

I found the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility very helpful. amazon has it used starting at a penny.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Charge-Your-Fertility-Achievement/dp/0060950536"]Amazon.com: Taking Charge of Your Fertility: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control and Pregnancy Achievement (9780060950538): Toni Weschler: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/712V4XWSK1L.@@AMEPARAM@@712V4XWSK1L[/ame]

**Cares** · 03-02-2011, 02:33 PM

Thanks Polly. We ttc for 10 months before conceiving DS. I know fertility stuff like the back of my hand! That is a great book for anyone looking for some good advice!

**MyMelody** · 07-03-2011, 08:33 PM

DH and I have no children and have been postponing ttc for the very reason of trying to "get our (financial) ducks in a row." For us, it's meant paying off our student loans (finished mine Nov '10 and his Mar '11), his truck (maybe next month), having no CC debt (done), and getting the larger projects done on the house. I know there's no way to feel totally "ready" for a baby, in a money sense, but we're also hoping I can leave my job when we become parents. So yeah.