Unusual Early Pregnancy Symptoms: The Definitive Checklist
Whether you’re amid the dreaded two-week wait after an IVF transfer or while trying to conceive with a partner, you’re probably searching for every possible indication that could lead to a positive on your next test. Or, if you’re not in the TWW phase, and are wondering if you could be unexpectedly pregnant and want to know what’s to come, we have you covered there too. Experts shared with us all the early pregnancy symptoms you should know about, from the most common to the ones you don’t hear about as often (they’re all normal signs...
When To Consider Clomid for Fertility
Dealing with infertility can be really confusing, with so many options to consider. But you’re not alone on this journey. Many people face the same challenges when starting or expanding their family. We'll break down the when and why of considering Clomid as a potential solution on your path to parenthood. And we hope to make your infertility experience a bit less overwhelming. Understanding infertility and its challenges Let's begin by explaining what infertility means. According to the CDC, infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant after one year (or longer) of unprotected sex. And...
What Is the Gut Microbiome, and Why Does It Matter for Fertility?
When it comes to fertility, many factors come into play. Did you know that your gut health could be one of them? The gut microbiome, a collection of microorganisms in your digestive tract, has been found to have a significant impact on fertility. Understanding how it affects reproductive health is crucial for anyone trying to conceive. Let’s break down the gut microbiome and why it’s such a big deal when it comes to getting pregnant. Plus, we’ll share tips on getting your gut into tip-top shape for a growing baby to thrive. What is the gut...
How Long Does It Take for Sperm To Reach the Egg?
The trying-to-conceive journey often feels like a continual game of hurry-up-and-wait. You start preparing your body for a possible pregnancy, figure out the timing, and get to business. But after the deed’s done, you may find yourself asking, “What now? Is anything going on in there?” Nobody can answer that question for you — and all you can do is let science do its thing while you move through the two-week wait (TWW). It’s hard not to obsess during the TWW. To keep your mind busy, we’re taking you on a science lesson that’ll help you...
Can You Get Pregnant From Precum During Ovulation?
Traditionally, pregnancy can occur when the male ejaculates semen – fluid from the seminal vesicles and prostate gland combined with sperm from the testicles – into the female’s vagina during sexual intercourse. Pregnancy is more likely during ovulation, the phase of the menstrual cycle when women are most fertile. During ovulation, the ovary releases an egg, which then travels down the fallopian tube into the uterus. In most cases, the fertility window for females is the five days leading up to ovulation, the day of ovulation, and the day after ovulation. And it’s during this time...
Gender Swaying: Does the Shettles Method Actually Work?
Maybe you had an incredibly special relationship with your mom and want to recreate that bond with a daughter on your own. Maybe you’ve always envisioned having a baby boy and can’t shake that image. Or maybe you already have multiple children of one sex and long to experience parenting the other. Of course, sex and gender aren’t the same, and you can’t truly know your child’s gender identity before or even shortly after birth. But when expectant parents envision their families, it can be really hard to accept that the image in your head won’t...
4 Things To Consider When Choosing a Home Insemination Kit
If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a while, or if you’re a single parent or same-sex couple who wishes to conceive, you may be starting to think about alternative options to help you grow your family. While IUI and IVF are both very promising avenues, fertility treatments can be time-consuming and expensive. Before going down that path, you may want to try a more affordable, less-invasive option at home, such as intravaginal insemination (IVI). What is intravaginal insemination, exactly? Intravaginal Insemination (IVI) is the process of transferring semen or ejaculate directly into the female...
All About CLOMID® (clomiPHENE citrate): An Effective, Low-Cost Treatment For Fertility
Embarking on the journey to parenthood can be an emotional rollercoaster, and for some, the road to conception may require a little extra help. CLOMID® (clomiPHENE citrate), a commonly prescribed fertility medication, can aid in stimulating ovulation and increasing the chances of getting pregnant. It can be especially helpful for women with irregular periods or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), as it offers a safe, effective, and low-cost option prior to considering fertility treatments like IUI or IVF. Still, while you may have heard of Clomid, in this article we'll explore what exactly Clomid is, why it’s...
Does COVID Increase the Risk of Miscarriage?
The world is a very different place than it was in March 2020. We know far more about COVID than ever before, we have effective tools to prevent and treat it (for those of us who can access them), and most of us have developed some level of immunity against the virus. But that doesn’t mean that COVID is “over.” In the United States, thousands of people test positive for COVID every day. You don’t need to be a mathematician (I’m certainly not!) to recognize that some of those who test positive will also be pregnant....
How To Use Cervical Mucus To Track Your Fertility
When embarking on a fertility journey, there’s a lot of new lingo to learn. Acronyms abound (TTC, POAS, HPT, oh my!) and with them come a never-ending stream of terminology that hasn't seemed relevant since ninth-grade health class. It’s enough to make a person feel totally overwhelmed and out of place. Today, we’re here to tackle just one of those terms — cervical mucus — and break down exactly what it is and why it’s important for understanding your fertility. And rest assured that, unlike health class, there’s no pop quiz at the end. What is...