Age can be a factor in trying to conceive. As women age, their fertility naturally declines. These days women are delaying motherhood in favor of getting an education or pursuing a career. As a result, more women are waiting until into their thirties or even forties to try to have a baby. The result of waiting longer can be a more difficult time getting pregnant. When we were trying to conceive our first baby, the doctor mentioned age. It took us six years to be blessed with our first daughter. Fortunately I was only 23 when we started trying. The … Continue reading →

Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid is under active. The thyroid gland is located in the neck. It is responsible for secreting hormones that help control metabolism. In some cases, the menstrual cycle and ovulation can be affected by untreated hypothyroidism. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue and weight gain. In some cases, the thyroid can interfere with ovulation. You may not be ovulating regularly if you have hypothyroidism and aren’t getting pregnant. If you have irregular cycles, this is another warning sign. In addition to affecting ovulation, hypothyroidism can cause problems later in the cycle. Some women with this … Continue reading →

When I was trying to conceive, I worried about the safety of exercise. I would exercise in the first half of each cycle and stop after ovulation. I imagined the exercise shaking the baby loose. It turns out; this is a common worry among women trying to conceive a baby. In general, it is safe to continue your exercise routine if you are fit and exercise regularly. If you haven’t worked out in the past, but really want to get started, visit your doctor first. Have a physical done to ensure you are in good health and can handle physical … Continue reading →

You’d think figuring out which day you conceived would be simple math, or at least as simple as looking at the calendar, but there are a couple different factors that play into when conception actually occurs. Your menstrual cycle length, ovulation date, and implantation date can all vary. If you are trying to conceive, you might consider doing a little extra record keeping for accurate dates later on. First, keep track of the days you have intercourse. As unromantic as this sounds, it doesn’t have to be. Keep a roll of stickers by your calendar and place one on each … Continue reading →

This was a question asked in our trying to conceive forum. It turns out that it can help, if your problems conceiving are affected by the cervical mucous. So how does it work? Well, the active ingredient in Robitussin is guaifenesin. This drug works by thinning the mucous when you are sick and stuffed up or coughing, which relieves the symptoms. In addition to thinning the mucous in your head, the drug also thins the cervical mucous. This can create a more hospitable environment for the sperm. If you are under a doctor’s care for infertility, your cervical mucous quality … Continue reading →

Nearly every woman who has been through infertility treatments has asked this question at least once. During the six years that we spent trying to have a baby, I asked this question more times than I can count. Infertility is an emotional rollercoaster that is tough to deal with. Each month begins full of hope only to end in tears. If you are feeling like you can’t try one more time, try to sort out your feelings. You may actually be done trying and feeling secure in your decision. On the other hand, you may be feeling conflicted and unsure … Continue reading →