Struggling to conceive can feel like a nightmare you will never escape from, especially if you have been trying for a while with no positive results, but you know what/ You shouldn’t let it destroy your sanity, and you should try to stay as positive as you can, while doing as much as you can to help, starting with these seven things:
1. Get a Proper Check-Up
Before you start blaming Mercury in retrograde or your love of afternoon naps, book a thorough appointment with a fertility specialist or reproductive clinic. Your GP can run some basic blood tests and an ultrasound, but a specialist will delve deeper into hormone levels, ovarian reserve and sperm quality. It may feel clinical, but knowing exactly where you stand medically is like having a roadmap instead of wandering blindfolded through the fertility forest.
2. Track, but Don’t Obsess
Ovulation apps can be neat, but relying on them exclusively can turn your relationship into a spreadsheet nightmare. Combine them with traditional methods—basal body temperature charts or ovulation kits—to get a clearer picture of when you’re most fertile. If the app tells you to try on day 14 but your temperature rise happens on day 16, you’ll need to adjust your plan. Remember, it’s about informed timing, not turning your bedroom into a timetable station.
3. Munch Wisely and Move
Maintaining a healthy body mass index is more than just fitting into last summer’s jeans. Both underweight and overweight can affect hormone balance and ovulation. Seek advice from a registered dietitian specialising in fertility so you don’t end up subsisting solely on kale smoothies. A balanced diet rich in whole grains, lean proteins and colourful fruit and veg, combined with moderate exercise, no need to train for a marathon unless that’s your thing, can improve egg quality and sperm health.
4. Stress Less, Laugh More
Stress is the uninvited guest that sabotages baby-making hormones quicker than you can say “positive pregnancy test”. Find a stress-buster that suits you: yoga, meditation, or even watching absurd cat videos. Laughter really is good medicine, so organise a board-game night or revisit that sitcom you used to adore. Reducing anxiety not only lifts your mood, it might just nudge your body into cooperation.
5. Explore Supplement Roulette
Supplements aren’t magic beans, but some evidence suggests they can support fertility. Inositol is often recommended for those with polycystic ovary syndrome, while coenzyme Q10 and omega-3 fatty acids might improve egg quality. Don’t forget folic acid, it’s essential before and during early pregnancy. Always chat to your doctor before starting any new supplements, to avoid any unwelcome interactions.
6. Consider Cost-Saving Options
Fertility treatments can feel like a black hole for your bank balance. If paying for extensive fertility testing or IVF sounds daunting, you might look into how you can donate eggs. Some clinics offer reduced fees or subsidies in exchange for donation, which could make treatments more affordable. It’s a big decision, physically and emotionally, so do your research, speak to former donors and weigh up the pros and cons before diving in.
7. Chat to Someone Who’s Been There
Online forums and local support groups can be a lifeline. Hearing someone else complain about the five-hour wait for an ultrasound or the agony of another negative test helps you realise you’re not alone. If you prefer face-to-face, look for local fertility support meetups or ask your clinic for references to counsellors who specialise in fertility matters.
If the fertility struggle is real, being practical and knowing what you can do to move things forward is sure to make you feel more positive, supported, and able to tackle the next step, whatever it may be!
Thank you for reading.
