Fertility and trying to conceive

18 guides · Fertility

Trying for a baby can be hopeful and hard in the same week. These guides cover ovulation, cycle tracking, the two-week wait, and the small things that help, plus when it is worth talking to a doctor. No pressure, just clear information.

Guides in this section

• Endometriosis and fertility: how it affects conception and what your options are. Endometriosis affects fertility for some but not all.
• Fertility diet and lifestyle: what the evidence actually says. From the Mediterranean diet to CoQ10, folic acid and exercise, we look at what research actually supports and what you can let go of when preparing for conception.
• Fertility tests for women: what they measure and what the results mean. AMH, Day 3 FSH, antral follicle count, progesterone, HSG: a clear guide to what each fertility test measures, what normal looks like, and what results mean for you.
• Folic acid in pregnancy and before: the right dose and when to start. How much folic acid you need before and during pregnancy, who needs a higher dose, which prenatal vitamins to look for, and whe...
• Implantation bleeding vs period: how to tell the difference. Spotting in the two-week wait?
• Irregular periods and trying to conceive: tracking your cycle when it is unpredictable. When your cycle is irregular, timing conception feels harder.
• Is my cycle normal?. A typical cycle is 21 to 35 days, but variation is common.
• IUI (intrauterine insemination): what it involves and what to expect. IUI is a less intensive fertility treatment than IVF, with a specific set of people it helps most.
• IVF explained: what happens at each stage and what to realistically expect. IVF is more manageable when you know what to expect.
• Male fertility and sperm health. Male fertility is involved in around half of all fertility challenges.
• Ovulation predictor kits. How to use an OPK correctly, when to start testing, how to read the result line and what the limitations are, including PCOS.
• PCOS and fertility. PCOS affects one in ten women and is the most common cause of irregular ovulation.
• Secondary infertility: struggling to conceive after your first child. Secondary infertility affects around one in six couples trying to conceive again.
• The two-week wait: symptoms, what you might feel and how to cope. The two-week wait is one of the hardest parts of TTC.
• Thyroid conditions and fertility: how they affect conception and early pregnancy. Thyroid conditions can quietly disrupt ovulation and implantation.
• Understanding your cycle and fertile window. How the menstrual cycle works, when ovulation happens, what the fertile window is and how to recognise ovulation signs.
• Unexplained infertility: what the diagnosis means and what comes next. Unexplained infertility means standard tests found nothing wrong, not that nothing is wrong.
• When to seek fertility help: how long to try before asking for tests. Standard advice says try for a year, but that is not always the right call.

Common questions

When am I most fertile in my cycle?

You are most likely to conceive in the few days before and on the day of ovulation, which is usually around the middle of your cycle. Tracking your cycle, cervical mucus or ovulation tests can help you spot your fertile window.

How long does it usually take to conceive?

Most couples conceive within a year of trying. Around 8 in 10 will be pregnant within 12 months of regular unprotected sex. If you are under 35 and it has been a year, or over 35 and it has been six months, it is worth seeing your GP.

Should I take folic acid before pregnancy?

Yes. It is recommended to take folic acid daily while trying to conceive and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, as it lowers the risk of neural tube defects. Your GP can advise if you need a higher dose.

Does tracking ovulation really help?

It can help you time things well, but it is not the whole picture. Regular sex every two to three days across the cycle also covers your fertile window without the pressure of precise timing.