Infertility
How a preconception care checkup benefits you + baby
If you are planning to become pregnant, it is a good idea to have a preconception care checkup.
Happy + healthy + getting pregnant
I'm not telling you it's going to be easy, I'm telling you it's going to be worth it. Things that make us happy: Netflix marathons, Nutella, our best friends' baby pics and dreaming about creating a family. Things that keep us healthy: staying mentally positive, exercise-induced endorphins, baby-making "practice" (it boosts your immune system!) and avoiding toxins while TTC. Your body is a wonderland—and soon it will be a baby's home! XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Have you listened to our Spotify baby-making playlist yet? It. Is. FIRE. Dim the lights, turn on the tunes and make a baby.
Making a baby and building your marriage: How to come out stronger
Emotional support goes a long way.
Fertility Awareness Method Could Help You Get Pregnant
Women’s health expert Katinka Locascio gets us up to speed on our cycles.
Work for it
Trying to make a baby? Well, that can be stressful, confusing—and seriously exciting. We're going to let you in on a little secret: You can do hard things. ? Getting pregnant? That can be challenging. Transitioning from "just the two of us" to a family? Not gonna lie—it can be tough. Getting in shape for pregnancy? Our head says "Gym" but our heart says "Netflix!" WHY IS THIS SO HARD? One of the greatest lessons of motherhood is that you are so very capable of the hard stuff. It doesn't get easier. You just get stronger. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Want to make your marriage stronger before you two become parents? Babyproof your marriage with our online class taught by inspiring relationship expert Vienna Pharaon. It's called Love it: How to go from a happy couple to a joyful family. You'll get digital video lessons, date-night discussion guides and a road map to your happily ever after.
It’s a sign ➕
“Let's get it on". We have so been there: analyzing every cramp and nipple tingle and vague feeling of nausea for evidence that THERE'S A BABY IN THERE. Buying pregnancy tests in bulk to get the earliest possible plus sign. Jotting down potential baby names because it never hurts to think ahead, right? It's a sign, mama. You're ready. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. We know it's hard to keep your head up when getting pregnant takes longer than you hoped. Just remember that 90% of reproductive-age women are able to get pregnant on their own, and most women who seek help for infertility go on to give birth. It's go time.
6 fun movies on babymaking to watch while trying to conceive
Making a baby can be stressful. Take a break from it with these classics.
I am woman. Get me pregnant.
“A baby fills a place in your heart that you never knew was empty." It takes a village to raise a child. And sometimes It seems like it takes a village to make a child, too. You've got your partner, your doctor, your get-pregnant apps, your ovulation strips, your confidant BFF, your girls at Motherly and whomever else you've let in on the secret. And we're all here for you, each peed-on-pregnancy-test of the way. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Our absolute favorite TTC apps + wearables reviewed here for our MotherlyLoves series. Glow? Ava? Clue? We've got the scoop to get you super preggers.
I’m not ready (yet!)
“Sometimes the struggle is what makes success even sweeter." Maybe you're the planning type. You studied for the SATs. ? You interned your way to a job offer. You Google-stalked your Tinder match-turned-husband. ?️♀️ But this whole motherhood thing? Honesty time: We're all just winging it. ✔️ You can't ever really be "ready" for morning sickness, or your water breaking in CVS (true story) or 3 am newborn feedings. You just show up, do your best and grow more deeply in love each step of the way. What we're trying to say is you can't really make yourself ready for motherhood—becoming a mother makes you ready. Hang on, little lady, because it's going to be a wild ride. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Get slightly more ready for baby by taking a prenatal vitamin. It's one of the best things you can do to give your baby a healthy start in life.
Thinking about having another child? 5 things to consider
What you have gained in “been there, done that” newborn knowledge may be balanced out by having an older child.
How to handle the wait: What to do when you’re waiting for pregnancy news
What’s a girl to do while you’re waiting for the biggest news of your life?
A great adventure is about to begin
Say yes to new adventures. Pulling the goalie and taking a swing at making a baby is a big. Freaking. Deal. It feels so reckless! Thrilling! Scary! Sexy! Strange! Fortunately, you've taken the steps to get yourself ready for this incredible change you're about to experience. (Or not. Totally winging it is totally cool with us, too—but take your prenatals.) You're about to become a traveler on the most life-changing adventure there is: parenthood. So exciting! You wild thing, you. XO, TeamMotherly
How to Have Sex when You’re Trying to Get Pregnant
5 tips on making the most of your sex from a fertility expert
Start small (think big)
Celebrate your small victories while you're trying to conceive. Good things come in small packages. So think of your body as a tiny house that you need to prepare for an amazing new guest: your baby. Eat nutritious foods (both of you!), stay mentally centered and work with purpose. All your preparation will get you ready for your next great adventure: becoming parents. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. More small packages, please! We're adore Deborah Lippmann's fertility-friendly nail polish line (no formaldehyde!), so we Amazon Prime'd those babies straight to our house. Read more about what chemicals to avoid when TTC here.
5 steps to face new parenthood—together
Have the courage to ask to be heard, and lean towards each other through the process.
