More and more women are expressing interest in nontraditional or alternative birthing methods, and more and more possibilities are becoming available. Certainly, the following options aren’t for everyone, but knowing what’s possible can be helpful. Delivering without anesthesia Natural childbirth usually refers to giving birth without any medications or anesthesia.

Infertility has long been a silent struggle for some people trying to start a family. But this June, Infertility Awareness Month seeks to help those suffering learn more about conception and become more vocal about their journey. © andriano_cz / Adobe Stock The prevalence of infertility Infertility is usually defined as not being able to get pregnant after one year of trying.

Women’s infertility issues can be very complex because so many different systems can be at fault. Is the problem uterine, tubal, hormonal, age-related, or ovarian? Any one of these problems can cause enough trouble to prevent you from becoming and staying pregnant. A healthy uterus Maybe you had an HSG to evaluate your fallopian tubes and uterus, or maybe you had a hysteroscopic surgery for an even closer look into the uterus.

If a couple tries to conceive but can’t seem to do it, one of the first things that doctors look for is a problem with the man’s sperm. Sperm compose about 5 to 10 percent of semen, and are the only part of the semen that can cause pregnancy. If a man is infertile, there is a problem with his sperm — often a low sperm count or low motility.

Getting pregnant can be a complex and lengthy process for those diagnosed with infertility. Getting through the fertility treatment may seem difficult. Following are a few of our cheat lists to not only help you decipher fertility testing but also help you understand fertility treatment a little better. © Natalia DeriabinaDos and don’ts to protect your fertilityEven before you try to get pregnant, you may want to take a look at things that could impact your fertility.

If you’ve been trying unsuccessfully to have a baby for some time, you may wonder whether IVF can help fulfill your baby dream. To begin with, you need to undergo some tests to establish the cause of your infertility. If IVF is an alternative for you and you decide to try treatment, your best bet for coping with the inevitable ups and downs is to be well-prepared: The more you know about the physical, technical, emotional and financial aspects of infertility and IVF, the better you’ll fare on your IVF journey and beyond, when hopefully, you’ll have a baby to love and care for.

Becoming a dad is both an exhilarating and a terrifying experience. Planning ahead and being prepared are the best ways to handle what’s coming up in the next nine months and beyond. Doing what you can ahead of time, such baby-proofing your house and packing your hospital bag, will save precious time later on and help you feel like you’re in control (at least a little bit).