Heather Welford is a healthcare journalist, a regular commentator on public health issues and the author of 25 books and pamphlets on health topics.She has written for Parents magazine, where she answered readers' requests for advice. As a journalist, she has interviewed a number of individuals and couples whose lives have been touched by fertility issues. She has three children of her own, which, compounded with her professional experience, makes her a sympathetic and knowledgeable source on the subject.

• : acknowledgements: introduction – trying or planning?: 1) the right time?: your feelings: your partner and your relationship: your material circumstances: time and your fertility: men and fertility: bypassing nature and planning ahead: 2) how conception happens: getting ready… in the woman: getting ready… in the man: getting together – when sperm meets egg: X or Y?: 3) very early pregnancy – from embryo to foetus: early developments: hormones: screening tests: 4) fertility awareness – get biology on your side: frequent enough sex: pinpointing ovulation: tracking your cycle with a kit: other ways to check fertility at home: pros and cons: 5) supporting your own fertility: diet: nutritional supplements: a healthy weight: alcohol and nicotine: stress and anxiety: sperm quality down?: what does this mean for you and: your partner?: 6) pre-conception care: nutrition: folate/folic acid: drinking and smoking: other drugs: mental health issues: pre-conception care for men: 7) seeking help: potential problems: what happens when you seek help?: what next?: treatment pathway: 8) complementary and alternative help: holistic approach: stress relief: balancing the body: how popular is it?: finding a practitioner: 9) testing, testing…: developments in testing: how do pregnancy tests work?: when to test: reliability: other ways of confirming pregnancy: 10) good health in early pregnancy: first antenatal appointment: tests: how you’ll feel: staying healthy: 11) ‘I’m pregnant’ – who to tell? and when?: telling family and friends: informing your employers: coping with other’s reactions: 12) pregnancy loss: miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death: why do miscarriages happen?: incidence of miscarriage: how do you become aware of miscarriage?: recovery after miscarriage: termination for abnormality: stillbirth and neonatal birth: trying again: 13) what next after tests and checks?: surgical help: fertility drugs: treatment for men: assisted reproduction: planning for the future: further treatment pathway: 14) another baby… or not?: secondary infertility: return of your fertility: deciding one is enough: 15) the emotional journey: trying to get pregnant: internet jargon: real life experiences shared: irritating and maddening remarks: glossary: taking it further: index

Heather Welford is a healthcare journalist, a regular commentator on public health issues and the author of 25 books and pamphlets on health topics.She has written for Parents magazine, where she answered readers' requests for advice. As a journalist, she has interviewed a number of individuals and couples whose lives have been touched by fertility issues. She has three children of her own, which, compounded with her professional experience, makes her a sympathetic and knowledgeable source on the subject.

• : acknowledgements: introduction – trying or planning?: 1) the right time?: your feelings: your partner and your relationship: your material circumstances: time and your fertility: men and fertility: bypassing nature and planning ahead: 2) how conception happens: getting ready… in the woman: getting ready… in the man: getting together – when sperm meets egg: X or Y?: 3) very early pregnancy – from embryo to foetus: early developments: hormones: screening tests: 4) fertility awareness – get biology on your side: frequent enough sex: pinpointing ovulation: tracking your cycle with a kit: other ways to check fertility at home: pros and cons: 5) supporting your own fertility: diet: nutritional supplements: a healthy weight: alcohol and nicotine: stress and anxiety: sperm quality down?: what does this mean for you and: your partner?: 6) pre-conception care: nutrition: folate/folic acid: drinking and smoking: other drugs: mental health issues: pre-conception care for men: 7) seeking help: potential problems: what happens when you seek help?: what next?: treatment pathway: 8) complementary and alternative help: holistic approach: stress relief: balancing the body: how popular is it?: finding a practitioner: 9) testing, testing…: developments in testing: how do pregnancy tests work?: when to test: reliability: other ways of confirming pregnancy: 10) good health in early pregnancy: first antenatal appointment: tests: how you’ll feel: staying healthy: 11) ‘I’m pregnant’ – who to tell? and when?: telling family and friends: informing your employers: coping with other’s reactions: 12) pregnancy loss: miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death: why do miscarriages happen?: incidence of miscarriage: how do you become aware of miscarriage?: recovery after miscarriage: termination for abnormality: stillbirth and neonatal birth: trying again: 13) what next after tests and checks?: surgical help: fertility drugs: treatment for men: assisted reproduction: planning for the future: further treatment pathway: 14) another baby… or not?: secondary infertility: return of your fertility: deciding one is enough: 15) the emotional journey: trying to get pregnant: internet jargon: real life experiences shared: irritating and maddening remarks: glossary: taking it further: index

Heather Welford is a healthcare journalist, a regular commentator on public health issues and the author of 25 books and pamphlets on health topics.She has written for Parents magazine, where she answered readers' requests for advice. As a journalist, she has interviewed a number of individuals and couples whose lives have been touched by fertility issues. She has three children of her own, which, compounded with her professional experience, makes her a sympathetic and knowledgeable source on the subject.

• : acknowledgements: introduction – trying or planning?: 1) the right time?: your feelings: your partner and your relationship: your material circumstances: time and your fertility: men and fertility: bypassing nature and planning ahead: 2) how conception happens: getting ready… in the woman: getting ready… in the man: getting together – when sperm meets egg: X or Y?: 3) very early pregnancy – from embryo to foetus: early developments: hormones: screening tests: 4) fertility awareness – get biology on your side: frequent enough sex: pinpointing ovulation: tracking your cycle with a kit: other ways to check fertility at home: pros and cons: 5) supporting your own fertility: diet: nutritional supplements: a healthy weight: alcohol and nicotine: stress and anxiety: sperm quality down?: what does this mean for you and: your partner?: 6) pre-conception care: nutrition: folate/folic acid: drinking and smoking: other drugs: mental health issues: pre-conception care for men: 7) seeking help: potential problems: what happens when you seek help?: what next?: treatment pathway: 8) complementary and alternative help: holistic approach: stress relief: balancing the body: how popular is it?: finding a practitioner: 9) testing, testing…: developments in testing: how do pregnancy tests work?: when to test: reliability: other ways of confirming pregnancy: 10) good health in early pregnancy: first antenatal appointment: tests: how you’ll feel: staying healthy: 11) ‘I’m pregnant’ – who to tell? and when?: telling family and friends: informing your employers: coping with other’s reactions: 12) pregnancy loss: miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death: why do miscarriages happen?: incidence of miscarriage: how do you become aware of miscarriage?: recovery after miscarriage: termination for abnormality: stillbirth and neonatal birth: trying again: 13) what next after tests and checks?: surgical help: fertility drugs: treatment for men: assisted reproduction: planning for the future: further treatment pathway: 14) another baby… or not?: secondary infertility: return of your fertility: deciding one is enough: 15) the emotional journey: trying to get pregnant: internet jargon: real life experiences shared: irritating and maddening remarks: glossary: taking it further: index