 | If you want a baby (it’s not compulsory) you are probably all too aware of your fertility, and how it declines with age. You might just want to sort a few things first. Like a suitable partner, a decent job, affordable housing, affordable childcare and while we're at it how about flexible working practices? Once you are ready - or if you have decided to go for it anyway - you have the small matter of getting pregnant to attend to. Well-meaning, but oversimplified messages about the importance of contraception might |
mean you think you will get pregnant the moment you have unprotected sex.
The reality isn’t always that simple. After pregnancy, infertility - or perceived infertility - is the most common reason for women aged 20–45 to visit their GP.
But fertility problems are not as common as you might think. Our fertility does not drop off a cliff the moment we hit 30 - or even 40.
If there is an issue, it can often be fixed by simply learning when your fertile days occur each month.
If you're considering pregnancy in the next couple of years then this might be the time to switch to using fertility awareness as contraception. You'll learn how to recognise when you're fertile and you'll have the chance to fix any health issues that might be masked by the pill.
Of course it's not a guarantee that you will be able to get pregnant when the time comes. My fertility awareness smugness evaporated when we didn't get pregnant the first month - but it will give you a head start - and mean you can avoid pregnancy until you are ready.
Interested? Start with my Do It Yourself guide - or dive in and get some support.
More resources
The reality isn’t always that simple. After pregnancy, infertility - or perceived infertility - is the most common reason for women aged 20–45 to visit their GP.
But fertility problems are not as common as you might think. Our fertility does not drop off a cliff the moment we hit 30 - or even 40.
If there is an issue, it can often be fixed by simply learning when your fertile days occur each month.
If you're considering pregnancy in the next couple of years then this might be the time to switch to using fertility awareness as contraception. You'll learn how to recognise when you're fertile and you'll have the chance to fix any health issues that might be masked by the pill.
Of course it's not a guarantee that you will be able to get pregnant when the time comes. My fertility awareness smugness evaporated when we didn't get pregnant the first month - but it will give you a head start - and mean you can avoid pregnancy until you are ready.
Interested? Start with my Do It Yourself guide - or dive in and get some support.
More resources
- How to get pregnant - sex, apps, thermometers and fluid.
- The Impatient Woman's Guide to Getting Pregnant by Jean Twenge (book)
- Infertility UK - support, advice and understanding for those having difficulties.