Conception is when a sperm cell from a man joins with an egg cell from a woman. This starts the process of pregnancy. Even though it sounds simple, many things need to happen for conception to work. Sometimes, it can take a while, and each person’s experience is different. For conception to happen, you need: A healthy egg Healthy sperm Good timing The right conditions inside the body Even when everything seems right, it might still take time to get pregnant. Everyone’s body, health, and lifestyle can make a difference.

Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) is very common – up to 1 in 10 women of child-bearing age have it. They may only find this out once they start trying for a baby. The combination of a hormonal imbalance and problems with metabolism can make this difficult – but not impossible. It’s one of the most common causes of infertility but also treatable. PMOS is the new name for what many people know as polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. The change reflects a better understanding of the condition as a hormonal and metabolic disorder that can affect the whole body, not just the reproductive system. Let’s talk you through the science of ovary function and what can be done about it in PMOS.

What Is Ovulation? Ovulation is when a mature egg is released from a woman’s ovary during her menstrual cycle. The egg travels down the fallopian tube, where it might meet sperm and become fertilized. This is the only time during the cycle when pregnancy can happen, because an egg must be present for conception to occur. Why Is Ovulation Important for Pregnancy? Knowing when ovulation happens is important if you’re trying to get pregnant. Every person’s cycle is different, so understanding your own cycle can help you time intercourse for the best chance of conception. This means learning how to track ovulation and spot your most fertile days.

Age is an important factor in fertility for both men and women. As people get older, it usually becomes harder to have a baby. Knowing how fertility changes in your 20s, 30s, and 40s can help you make better choices about starting a family. Other things like your health, lifestyle, and genetics also matter, but age is a big part of the picture.

A Caesarean section, or C-section, is a surgery used to deliver a baby by making cuts in the mother’s belly and uterus. It’s a common procedure: about one in four births in the US happen this way. Sometimes, a C-section is planned ahead of time, but it can also be done quickly if problems come up during labor. It’s normal to feel nervous about having a C-section, especially if it wasn’t your first choice. Many mothers worry about surgery, recovery, and their baby’s health. The good news is that C-sections are generally safe, and doctors and nurses work hard to take care of both you and your baby. This guide explains why you might need a C-section, how to get ready, and what to expect before, during, and after the operation.

Many things can affect how easy it is for someone to have a baby, and the choices we make every day can play a big part. What you eat, how much you move, and how you take care of yourself can all help your body work better and make it easier to get pregnant. Making small, healthy changes can really help if you’re trying to have a baby.

Baby blues can affect 4 out of 5 women after they give birth and is a term used to describe mild mood changes and the feelings of exhaustion, anxiety and unhappiness that can occur in the first 2 weeks after having a baby. Because it’s so tiring looking after a baby 24 hours a day, it’s entirely normal to feel shattered and a little flat after giving birth! This usually happens within the first week and is likely due to the rapid change in hormones and other biochemicals that occur once pregnancy has ended. Symptoms include low mood, feeling irritable and on edge, and feeling emotional or tearful for no obvious reason.

The 8 week check is part of the well-baby visits during your baby’s first year of life. Your baby needs to go to the doctor 6 times during this period. Each appointment will include an overview of how your child is developing, a physical examination, and a chance for the parents to express any concerns they may be having and for your doctor to address them and give health promotion advice.  Usually, the mother has a postnatal check around the same time as the baby's 8 week check. 

Pregnancy can be a tough time; it can bring on new muscle and ligament aches, backaches, and it can worsen headaches or migraines. It’s hard to know what pain relief is safe to reach for, so let’s talk you through what’s available to you, while keeping you comfortable and your baby healthy and happy. The general rule of thumb is, don’t take anything unnecessarily. If your pain is mild and bearable, hold off on medication, especially in the first 12 weeks (first trimester). Try non-medicated solutions first, such as lying down in a dark room to help with a headache, having a warm bath or using a hot water bottle to relieve muscle aches. Some medications are known to cause harm to your pregnancy and should be avoided. Other drugs may not have been through clinical trials on pregnant women, so there may be a theoretical risk, or they are not known to be either safe or harmful. Drug manufacturers usually err on the side of caution in saying their medication should be avoided during pregnancy. Thankfully, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised on what’s safe and what’s not. They stress that if you need to take pain medication, it should be at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest time possible. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) also recognize that inadequate pain relief can carry a psychological and physical burden, causing anxiety and depression in a new mother and disrupting bonding with the baby. It may also prevent you from getting that all-important rest you need to revive.

Varicose veins are swollen blood vessels that are seen most often in the legs. They can twist, swell, and enlarge. Varicose veins tend to run in families and are more common in individuals who stand on their feet for a living or are overweight. They can form for a number of reasons, especially from middle age onwards, and if they run in your family. They are fairly common in pregnancy. We’ll talk you through what to expect if you do develop them.

Certain vaccinations are recommended in pregnancy to boost the immunity of both your and your baby against certain infections. During pregnancy, a woman’s immune system is usually weakened as it is diverted to protect the baby. Some vaccines are boosters of vaccinations you may have had in childhood. Certain vaccinations are safe, and some pose a risk – your practice nurse, midwife, or doctor can talk you through this. Any potential risk posed by a vaccine is considerably less than getting the infection itself.

Postnatal depression is also known as postpartum depression. This is a type of depression that happens after having a baby and can affect anyone around the baby, for example, mothers or fathers. Your doctor will ask you about these symptoms at your six-week check, but if you want to speak to someone about it earlier, contact your doctor immediately.  It's always important to seek advice from your doctor if you think you may be experiencing postnatal depression. Postnatal depression can worsen over time without any intervention and persist for months, so getting the right support early for you and your family is very important.