Trying For A Baby

Fertility explained with some expert advice

9 Things You Need To Know About Becoming An Egg Donor

Becoming an egg donor is an incredibly selfless act that has many rewards, but it’s also an important decision that requires a lot of careful consideration, so what does it involve?

Starting Fertility Treatment? Professor Geeta Nargund Reveals All

Professor Geeta Nargund, Medical Director of CREATE Fertility, shares an overview of what you can expect when starting fertility treatment. Staring fertility treatment Starting More

12 Things You Can Start Doing to Improve Your Fertility

Research shows that fertility rates in the UK are dropping and it is estimated that one in six couples in Western countries experience fertility problems and this number is growing.

Trying to conceive

Zita West Answers The Sex Questions You’re Too Embarrassed To Ask When You’re TTC

Trying to conceive? Fertility guru Zit West answers the sex and fertility questions you’re too embarrassed to ask the doctor.

TTC: What Supplements Should I Take? Expert Advice For Men And Women

“Knowing which nutrients you need to support pre-conception and pregnancy can help support you on your journey to trying to conceive.” Lesley Gilchrist.

What IS The Perimenopause And What Does It Mean For My Fertility?

GP and menopause specialist, Dr. Louise Newson, answers your essential questions about perimenopause, early menopause, and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency or POI.

What Are The Benefits Of Reflexology For Fertility And Pregnancy?

London reflexologist Keah Lan shares her insights into how reflexology can help with fertility and pregnancy. 

What Happens Behind The Embryology Laboratory Door? Top Embryologist Reveals All

What happens in an embryology laboratory? After weeks of fertility investigations, blood tests, scans and injections, the day of egg collection is finally upon you. More

semen-analysis

A Guide To Male Infertility: Causes, Tests And Solutions

Let’s talk about male infertility. Dr James Hopkisson, Medical Director at TFP Fertility Group is on hand to answer our questions.

Helping Men Through Miscarriage: Useful Strategies For Coping

It’s important that in cases of miscarriage we do not forget to look at how men are emotionally impacted by this loss and to offer them the support they too, need.

What Is The True Impact Of Diet, Fitness, Stress & Toxins On Your Fertility?

One in six couples has trouble conceiving, and this number is only set to get bigger as both men and women chose to postpone childbearing until later in life. Up to a third of people have what we call unexplained infertility, with no obvious clinical cause found despite multiple investigations.

Can Stress Make It Harder To Conceive?

World-renowned wellness guru James Duigan, author of The Clean and Lean Pregnancy Guide shares his advice on fertility and stress. 

Parental Control, Ep 38: Not Another Mummy Blog’s Alison Perry On Twins, Secondary Infertility & IVF

My Baba’s Editor Ellie Thompson welcomes Not Another Mummy Blog’s Alison Perry to the show for a natter about twins, her new book, secondary infertility and IVF.

REVIEW: How Useful Is The breathe ilo Fertility Tracker?

The breathe ilo is the world’s first breath analysis device that works to accurately predict your fertile days. All you have to do each day is take one minute to breathe into it.

To Drink Or Not To Drink While TTC: How Alcohol Can Impact Fertility

New research conducted by King’s College London has brought to light a lack of awareness in the UK surrounding our lifestyle choices and the impact they can have on our fertility, most notably drinking when TTC. 

Heavy Periods: What Are Your Options For Coping?

Heavy periods are common, with many women describing their periods as heavy, but it can be difficult to know if your periods are normal or something you should get checked and treatment for.

The JelliePod Ep #8: 5 IVF Cycles, SERC, Egg Donors, And A Devastating Miscarriage

The JelliePod is back with another guest episode. 30-year-old Natalie joins the show to talk about her IVF/TTC journey, involving five IVF cycles.

Covid, Vaccines And Your AMH: What Does This Mean For Fertility Treatment?

The JelliePod fertility podcast welcomes Dr Cesar Diaz-Garcia from IVI London to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on fertility, and the vaccine on menstrual cycles.

The Nitty Gritty Guide to Ovulation

I’ve pulled together advice from trusted sources so you’ll find everything you want to google about ovulation, all in one place.

amh testing

Getting Pregnant: Everything You Need To Know About Implantation

Implantation is when a fertilised egg attaches to the lining of the uterus marking the beginning of pregnancy.

How Can The COVID-19 Vaccine Impact My Period, Fertility Or Pregnancy?

Research by Yoppie, the pioneers of personalised period care, has found that some women are concerned about the COVID-19 vaccine and how it could impact their menstrual cycle, as well as their fertility. 

The JelliePod Ep #3: Ducks In A Row – Dr Ellie Rayner On Fertility Tests + More

From semen analysis to imaging tests and more, this episode is to help you prepare for what’s next. If fertility treatment is on the cards, here’s how to get yourself organised.  

Optimising Your Health When Trying To Conceive

If you are thinking of conceiving, or are currently trying to conceive, here are a few important steps you should follow.

The JelliePod Ep #2: Early Menopause And Egg Donors Abroad

Jamie and Ellie welcome their very first guest to the podcast in episode 2 of The JelliePod to talk about egg donors and IVF abroad. 

10 Things You Need To Know About Rose And Rosie

We’re Rose and Rosie, and we’re married to each other and going to have a baby! Read on to find out 10 Things You Need To Know About Us.

Covid-19 And The Implications For Fertility Treatment

Leading expert, César Díaz-García breaks down COVID-19 fact from fiction when it comes to all things fertility, as he answers your biggest questions.

Healthy Eggs Fertility

Trying To Conceive? Zita West’s Ten Tips For Healthy Eggs

Fertility expert and midwife to the stars, Zita West, advises on how to keep your eggs at their healthy best to improve chances of fertility and healthy pregnancy.

Is Your Partner’s Sperm Healthy? 5 Tips To Build And Boost Sperm Health

Whether you’re dealing with a low count, poor motility or morphology, there is always room for improvement when it comes to the intrinsic and genetic status of the sperm

How To Use Superfoods To Increase Fertility And General Wellbeing

If you are serious about conceiving or wanting more energy, or you want to get your hormones back in check, because you feel like your emotions are out of control, the first thing I would suggest you do is start following an anti-inflammatory diet.

Is a Fresh or Frozen Embryo Transfer Better?

Do you go ahead with the fresh transfer of an embryo that has developed over several days, or do you wait and freeze the embryo?

Fertility In The Pandemic: What’s Going On?

In the pandemic, where fertility treatment is not possible, patients are left facing a whole new level of discrimination, this time imposed by a new virus.

COVID-19 And Fertility Treatment: What We Know So Far…

Struggling with subfertility no matter when, always brings pain and suffering but never has this pain been more pronounced than in this pandemic.

Celebrity Lisa Faulkner On Her Journey To Motherhood: Ectopic Pregnancy, The IVF Rollercoaster & Adoption

I was flawed, numb. For a long time I didn’t know what to do next. I couldn’t quite believe it was happening to me. It took me a long time to pick myself back up off the floor and see that there could be another way.

Egg Donation Abroad: Here’s How to Keep a Lid on Costs

Ask any UK IVF patient why they went abroad for treatment and most will say to find a cheaper clinic. Of course, the right combination of price and quality of treatment is the ideal solution, but does this really exist?

What is the Best Age to Freeze My Eggs?

Women are now more aware of their own biological clock and want to give themselves the best chance to have a child later in life with their own biological eggs.

Male Infertility: The Stigma, Causes, Treatments & Emotional Impact on Wellbeing

Men are often the neglected and forgotten part of infertility. Male infertility is under reported, because of the barriers to going to see the doctor in the first place, and therefore not investigated as much as it should be.

Fertility Treatments Explained: What Are My Options?

The most important thing you can do is make sure you and your partner have had a full medical evaluation beforehand to see if any cause can be found and if this treatment is necessary for you.

8 Tips to Boost Your Fertility and Chances of Conceiving

Whether you’re looking to improve your chances of getting pregnant naturally, or need some help with treatment you may be having for fertility, here are Dr Larisa Corda’s top tips for boosting your chances of conceiving

when to freeze sperm

Sperm Freezing: Why and When Should it Be Considered?

Children born to older fathers are found to have lower birth weight, premature births and increased risk of stillbirth.

Does Age Impact Your Fertilty? Having A Baby In Your 20s, 30s, 40s And Beyond

There are plenty of pros and cons to trying for a baby at different ages but what is the optimum age for trying to conceive?

amh testing

The AMH Test Explained: How Reliable IS It?

We see many patients who have questions about the AMH test, in particular, including its significance and reliability. Dr Amin Gorgy explains all.

Fertility support

Finding YOU in the Face of Fertility: When to Get Support

Soon your relationship starts to suffer. Sex becomes mechanical. Anguish and anger take over. Then your everyday thoughts are clouded by the spiral.

What to pack in your hospital bag

Giving Birth: What To Pack In Your Hospital Bag

We explain what you should be packing in your hospital bag, so you can be totally organised ahead of the birth of your child.

IVF Screening and Tests

Preparing For IVF: Screening & Tests

A fertility MOT or fertility assessment is a worthwhile investment for those individuals and couples who are looking to start a family or who are keen to assess their fertility status.

Pregnancy Chat Rooms Abbreviations Explained

222 Pregnancy and Parenting Chat Room Acronyms Explained

Online chat rooms can be a great source of information and support when you’re trying to conceive, if you’re a new mum, or just More

Top Ten Foods for Fertility

Top Ten Foods to Boost Fertility

Here are ten Clean & Lean foods that will help to improve and extend not only your fertility, but also that of your partner. If More

10 Of The Best Gadgets & Gizmos To Help You Try To Conceive

We gave ourselves six months to try naturally, and during that time I was determined to try every single gadget that might help. Below is my review of everything I’ve come across this year.

acupuncture and ivf

Can Acupuncture Help Increase The Success Rate Of IVF?

I asked top acupuncturist Dr Tiejun Tang if he had any useful articles on the topic of acupuncture and IVF. I really feel that Dr More

You & Your Fertility Workshop: How To Get Your Body Baby Ready With Zita West

Zita West is hosting a day workshop help you understand your fertility potential, manage mindset and stress, focus on the right nutrition and help create a personalised plan of action for you.

James Duigan on Fertility and Stress

James Duigan’s Clean and Lean Pregnancy Guide on Fertility and Stress

For years studies have been showing that stress is linked to fertility – which can lead to a vicious cycle of feeling stressed that More

baseline scan

Day 16 of The Jellie IVF Cycle: The Baseline Scan

We’re back at the hospital for the baseline scan to check the depth of the womb’s lining and what the follicles are up to. Hoping not to find any cysts or anything else that may delay treatment…

day 8

Day 8: IVF Journey & A Week’s Worth of Buserelin Injections

It’s day 8 of our long protocol cycle. Find out how the first week of injections have been, the good, the bad and the side effects…

Buserelin injection ivf

The Jellie Diary: Our First Buserelin Injection: Here goes nothing!

For anybody going through fertility struggles or requiring support for their own IVF journey, do join our private and safe group on Facebook, you can find it via the first pinned post on our Facebook page. 

Jellie Diary

The Jellie Diary: The Treatment Plan, Egg Collection & Embryo Transfer

The Jellie Diary is back. Jamie and Ellie are busy preparing for the start of their second cycle of ICSI, following the birth of their ICSI daughter in June 2017.

5 Pillars of Fertility

Can Stress Really Have an Impact on Our Fertility?

I want to introduce  you to THE 5 PILLARS OF FERTILE; and teach you how bringing them into your life will help you become a parent from a place of health and balance.

smash the cake gif

How We Created The Perfect Smash The Cake for Baby’s 1st Birthday!

It’s Maddie’s first birthday tomorrow, and long term My Baba readers will know it’s been quite the journey for all three of us. To celebrate this amazing milestone in style, we enlisted the help of one of the most brilliant photographers I know, Carly Michael to create and capture a beautiful smash the cake session.

Food and Fertility

Fertility & Nutrition: Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid

An overview of the role food plays in fertility, the foods to indulge in, the foods to avoid, and some brilliant cooking tips from nutritionist and personal trainer Michelle Walsh.

IVF Abroad - what to watch out for

Planning Your IVF Trip Abroad? The Things You Need to Know

Dr Caroline Phillips from Fertility Clinics Abroad gives us the low-down on important things to think about before heading oversees for IVF treatment.

A Guide To The Black Cat Selfie

A Guide To The Black Cat Selfie

A Guide To The Black Cat Selfie – in response to The BBC news article claiming black cats are overlooked due to their inability to be photographed.

Elvie Unbox and Review

Ellie & Jamie Unbox and Review Elvie: The Pelvic Floor Tracker (much to Jamie’s amusement…)

Check out Ellie & Jamie’s quick unbox and review of your very own (personal) personal trainer – The Elvie. It’s a must-have for ALL More

Getting Pregnant: The Contraceptive Pill, Alcohol Intake & Supplements

I’ve been on the contraceptive pill for 15 years. Will this mean it will take me longer to get

Genetic Testing Pre Pregnancy

Home Genetic Testing Kits – Should We Be Getting Tested Pre Pregnancy?

We talk to Dr Ellie Cannon about a new home genetics testing kit, and whether testing for health problems should become part of a pre-pregnancy routine. 

14 Steps To Follow Before You Decide To Have Children!

Find a couple who are already parents and berate them about their methods of discipline, lack of patience, appallingly low tolerance levels and how they have allowed their children to run wild.

Baby Swimming Lessons – The Tips & Tricks You’ll Need to Survive It…

My first baby swimming lesson with Maddie went err – swimmingly. Until we got to the changing room post lesson. That’s when the nightmare began…

Zita West on Fertility & Pregnancy

Why Can’t I Get Pregnant?

Can I carry on with my daily exercise? What if I don’t normally exercise? Is now the time to

Is It Harder To Conceive After An Ectopic Pregnancy?

Can an ectopic pregnancy affect your chances of conceiving? An Obstetrician and Gynaecologist explains what an ectopic pregnancy is and if it makes trying for another baby difficult. 

Cosatto Giggle 2

We’re All Smiles for The Cosatto Pom Pom Tree Giggle 2

The new Pom Pom Tree colourway for British brand Cosatto’s Giggle 2 makes me want to cheer. A review of the Cosatto Giggle 2 travel system.

Breastmilk Supply

Breastfeeding: There’s No Use Crying Over Sh*t Milk

I’m sure that’s how the saying goes… My blog about crappy milk supply deleted itself. This is the second time I’m writing this. It More

Contraception post pregnancy

What Do I Do About Contraception Post Pregnancy?

I’m really confused with all the contraception options

How Reliable Is Your AMH Result

How Reliable is Your AMH Result?

Today I got my second AMH result. I’ve been obsessing about it a fair bit since the blood test almost two weeks ago, but More

AMH Result

Pelvic Assessments, AMH and the Ticking of The Clock…

I had my pelvic assessment scan this week, and by all accounts, I passed with flying colours. They found EIGHT healthy looking follicles on More

Acupunture for Fertility

Diary Entry: Do You Believe in Acupuncture for Fertility?

I went along to my first acupuncture appointment last week, as I’ve read that acupuncture can be very beneficial for trying to conceive naturally, and More

My IVF Journey

One Egg Short of A Dozen – The Start of An IVF Journey

This is my first public diary entry of my IVF journey. WOW. I’ve said it out loud… I know IVF treatment is by far More

Everything You’ve Always Wanted To Know About Ovulation

Fertility expert Zita West answers the most frequently asked questions on ovulation.

Problems with Breastfeeding

The Jellie Diaries: Why Have I Found Breastfeeding So Difficult?

Breastfeeding is a journey. I’ve had a few pitstops already, so turned to online health specialists WellVine for help – all from the comfort of my own home.

Sleep Deprivation with Newborn

How to Avoid Sleep Deprivation With a Newborn

Sleep expert Dave Gibson chats to Jamie and Ellie on how best to avoid sleep deprivation with a newborn, ahead of their arrival in June.

Sleep and the Trimesters

How to Get A Good Night’s Sleep During Pregnancy: Pregnancy and Sleep During the Trimesters

Sleep expert Dave Gibson chats to Ellie and Jamie on how to get a good night’s sleep during the three trimesters of pregnancy

Jelly Diary Taboo

The Jellie Diaries Part 30: 36 Weeks Today! Let’s Talk Taboos

Find out how Jamie and Ellie are getting on now week 36 of pregnancy. From taboo ailments to birth preferences, surely they’re now on the home run.

Pregnancy and Sleeping Positions

How To Get A Good Night’s Sleep During Pregnancy: Best Sleeping Positions

Dave Gibson, founder of thesleepsite.co.uk and sleep expert for Warren Evans bed makers advises how to get a good night’s sleep during pregnancy.

Must-Have Products for a Newborn

The Jellie Diaries Part 29: Must-Have Products for Your Newborn – Part 2

With their due date is looming closer, Jamie and Ellie have been busy looking at the different products on the market. From highchairs, wraps, More

The Jellie Diaries: The Baby Shower

The Jellie Diaries: Part 28 Our AMAZING Baby Shower!

The Jellie Diaries: Jamie and Ellie are bowled over by their baby shower. Featuring products from Peggy Porschen, Lola’s Cupcakes, Pop Shop London and more!

Zita West On The “Radical” Approach To Fertility And Miscarriage

Fertility expert Zita West explains how inflammation affects the fertility cycle.

Bovey Castle Review

The Jellie Diaries: Part 27 Babymoon at Bovey Castle

Bovey Castle – the ultimate in luxurious country babymoon breaks, based in the picturesque Dartmoor National Park in Devon, UK

Zita West: Is It Time You Had A Fertility MOT?

We are starting to see a lot of younger women at the clinic who are having fertility MOT

Jelly Diary Part 26 GTT

The Jellie Diaries Part 26: The Glucose Tolerance Test, Ectopic Heartbeats and Gestational Diabetes

It’s been a problematic week for Jamie and Ellie, all beginning with the dreaded glucose tolerance test. Find out what week 28 of pregnancy More

window to the womb

The Jellie Diaries Part 25: The 28 Week 4D Scan

Part 25 Jellie Diary: It’s 28 Week, and Ellie and Jamie head down to Window to The Womb in Chessington for a 4D scan to celebrate Mother’s Day.

Jellie Diary

The Jellie Diaries Part 24: Must Have Products for Your Newborn – Part One

We’re really excited to introduce to you some must-have baby products by brands we trust for your new arrival.

22 Week 4D Scan

The Jellie Diaries Part 23: Baby’s 4D Baby Scan at 22 Weeks

You can book a 4D scan appointment at any one of the branches of Window to the Womb, based all over the country.

Jellie Diary Part 22

The Jellie Diaries: Part 22: Black Eyes & Migraines at 22 Weeks

Check out part 22 of the Jellie Diary, as they hit 22 weeks of pregnancy. Products featured in the video are included below: My More

Pregnancy Diary Part 21

The Jellie Diaries Part 21: Woah, We’re Half Way There… The 20 Week Scan

Check out this week’s Jellie diary, they’ve finally reached the half way point, at 20 weeks, and they head back to the Royal Surrey More

Jellie IVF Video Diary

The Jellie Diaries Part 20: The Ailments of Pregnancy…!

Check out what Ellie and Jamie have been up to in part 20 of their IVF/pregnancy diary. Sanggol® Maternity and Body Pillow Aquaflex Weighted More