Carli Lloyd, the former professional soccer star who played a pivotal role in the USWNT’s success, has transitioned into a new phase of life. With two World Cups and Olympic gold medals under her belt, she’s now sharing her personal journey, one that goes beyond the soccer field. Motherhood was always on Carli’s radar, but during her soccer career, her focus was solely on becoming the best. Supported by her husband, Brian, since their high school days, Carli dedicated 34 years of her life to soccer, 17 of them professionally. When she retired at 39 in 2021, thoughts of starting a family became ..read more

A recent survey conducted by First Response in partnership with RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association sheds light on the emotional challenges experienced by women attempting to conceive. The survey, which polled 1,000 women aged 25-34 actively trying to get pregnant within the past year, reveals a significant discrepancy between expectations and reality regarding the emotional toll of the journey. The findings indicate that 62% of women underestimated the emotional intensity of trying to conceive, highlighting the crucial need for better education and resources surrounding the infertil ..read more

A gynecologist is a medical doctor who specialises in the health of the female reproductive system. They are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions related to the female reproductive organs, including the uterus, ovaries, cervix, and vagina. Gynecologists undergo extensive education and training, which typically includes medical school followed by residency training in obstetrics and gynecology. They provide various services, including routine check-ups, preventive care, treatment of reproductive health issues, family planning, and management of pregnancy and childbirth. Gyne ..read more

Burnout, anxiety and even depression are all incredibly common within the fertility community and if we don’t make our wellbeing a priority, it can make the challenges we face feel a million times harder. At last year’s Fertility Show, Parla (part of Holland & Barrett) hosted the first wellbeing sessions and it was clear how much value they added. This year the sessions are back, led by some of the Show’s favourite ambassadors – here’s how they can help you navigate your fertility journey. Supporting Your Mental Wellbeing It’s disheartening to hear that 90 per cent of individuals on a f ..read more

A woman has bravely opened up about her deeply personal journey of longing to become a mother, only to have her dreams shattered by her partner. At 47 years old, the woman met her husband during university and embarked on their journey to conceive a child over a decade ago, despite the challenges of what medical professionals refer to as a geriatric pregnancy. Despite facing increased risks and decreased odds of conception, the couple dedicated three years to meticulously planning their lives around her monthly fertile window. However, despite their efforts, they were unable to conceive natura ..read more

Suki, the winner of our free IVF giveaway with Embryolab gives us an update on her IVF journey. “We attended the clinic (Embryolab Fertility Clinic) on Friday for egg collection excited and much less nervous than expected as I already had experienced the cyst aspiration and it was a practically identical process. The anaesthetist introduced himself and confirmed my name and DOB. “Right before administering the sedation he did a had a blood test to check my progesterone levels, which is protocol in this clinic. After the egg collection procedure I woke up, had some crackers and water, again th ..read more

Dr Ángela Llaneza, scientific director at Clinica Tambre and fertility specialist explains ten possible reasons why you might be struggling to conceive. The majority of couples will achieve a pregnancy within a year if they are active trying to conceive. If you have been trying for a year, or six months if you are over 35 and are not getting pregnant it is advisable to contact a fertility specialist as early as you can. The reasons that are hindering your chances of getting pregnant can be numerous and complex.  This article takes a look at ten things that might be making it difficult for ..read more

Model Rhian Sugden and her husband, Coronation Street actor Oliver Mellor, have celebrated the arrival of their first child together following a challenging journey with IVF. Rhian took to Instagram to share the happy news, posting a heartwarming photo of their newborn son. The birth signifies the end of a six-year struggle for the 37-year-old, who had previously described this successful IVF attempt as her “eighth time lucky.” While the proud new parents haven’t revealed their baby boy’s name yet, Rhian did treat her followers to an adorable snapshot of him nestled in his basket, along with t ..read more

When you’re trying to conceive, there are a ton of different hormones to consider. You’ll likely have your oestrogen levels tested, as well as testosterone and progesterone. You’ll read about oxytocin and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), important hormones released during pregnancy and after giving birth. But what about anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH)? While it may not get the same amount of attention, AMH is very important for any woman trying to get pregnant. Here’s a primer on everything you need to know about AMH, and if it can help or hinder you during IVF. What is AMH? You’re born with a ..read more

Adrienne Bailon has shared that she invested more than a million’ in IVF treatments. In a candid conversation with PEOPLE, Adrienne Bailon, former co-host of ‘The Real,’ revealed that she and gospel singer Israel Houghton spent ‘easily over a million’ dollars to achieve their dream of parenthood. Acknowledging the significant expense, Bailon commented, ‘And that is not realistic for the average person. And I recognize that.’ Bailon also shared the difficulties she faced on her journey to motherhood, which included multiple cycles of IVF. ‘I only did eight cycles of IVF, but that doesn’t includ ..read more