How do you know it's time to try to have a baby?

Question

My husband and I are just starting to talk about it...it seems like we'll never really be ready, but are there any steps to take first!?

Answer 1

In addition to the above mentioned suggestions of physical health, emotional and financial stability there are some practical steps you can take to determine your readiness.
Do you have friends with children of different ages from infant up to whatever who would love a week end vacation to themselves? Offer to baby or child sit for them for a few days. See how you cope.
Do some volunteering with local groups that take care of small children and infants. Again, see how you cope.
The question is not entirely whether or not you are ready for a baby. That is part of it, but children are infants for a relatively short (though often exhausting) period of time. The real question is.....are you ready to have a CHILD?????
Are you ready to devote yourselves for the next 18 or more years to the well being of another human being? Do you like children of all ages and phases? That is what having a baby means. Are you ready to cope with the sleepless nights, the tantrums, to learn appropriate and effective measures of discipline, the terrible twos, school issues, a teen trying to be independent?
All that being said, our son just turned 18 and I would not give up one moment of the years since his birth. It has been the most exciting, wondrous and at times exasperating experience of my life. You just have to be prepared for all of it.

Answer 2

Well, physically, you want to get your body ready. You can start taking prenatal vitamins, and make sure you are at your optimal weight.

http://www.tjclarkinc.com/pregnancy_nutrition.htm

The most critical time to get good nutrition is actually right before you get pregnant! Read the above article for more information on that.

Then, you guys should sit down and write out a plan. The plan should include stuff like a budget, who will work and who will stay home, and for how long, whether or not you have medical insurance, how much interaction you want the family (in-laws) to have, where you will live, where you want the kids to go to school, what you want to do as far as religious upbringing, etc. If you can agree on all that - you are ready!!!

Answer 3

Make sure that is what you both want, and that your relationship is stable and secure. And you are financially stable. Might not hurt to get a check up from your family doctor.

Answer 4

next time your husband gets turned on looking through his porn magazines, tell him you want to have a baby. be ready in case he starts throwing pots and pans at you (or better yet, move the cooking items into the garage)

Answer 5

When will you ever be ready?

If you're financially & emotionally stable, go for it.