I’ve talked a bit about my fertility struggles here and on Instagram. My number one advice will continue to be DON’T WAIT TO MAKE THAT FIRST APPOINTMENT. But I also firmly believe that doing your own research and learning about your body is incredibly powerful and helps lower the feeling of helplessness that can come.
There are a few books that I have read on my journey to learning more about my body and cycle that I think ALL women should read, regardless of if you are trying to conceive or not. But these five books are especially helpful if you are trying to get pregnant.
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TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR FERTILITY
I always highly recommend starting at the beginning. Before ovulation strips and blood tests, get to know your body. If you have been on hormonal birth control your whole life (like I had been) you probably have no idea what cervical mucus is or how to check the position of your cervix throughout your cycle. You may even just assume you ovulate on day 14 because an app tells you so.
This book will get you started with getting to know your individual cycle. It will teach you all about the phases of your period, taking your temperature and start you on charting.
(I use the app KINDARA to chart my cycle. I have been charting for over four years now, and will probably never go back to hormonal birth control)
THE WOMAN CODE
This is another one that is great for every woman, making a baby or not. There is so much misinformation out there about how our bodies “should” work or how we should just ignore certain aspects of our bodies, hormones and feelings.
I will say, this is a very food based book, that can sometimes come off as a bit diet-y. Which I don’t LOVE. But the information in the book is awesome, and as always. I encourage you to take everything you read with a grain of salt and not feel pressured to restrict or go on a crazy diet that involved you dumping everything out of your cupboard.
IT STARTS WITH THE EGG
This is a very science-based book. There is a lot of facts, sources, and SO much information about fertility. But it is also just a little bit fear-mongering. If you are already anxious and worried about all the things, this probably is a book you want to skip. But if you are a take it or leave it kind of person, this book is incredibly helpful. Especially when it comes to things like supplements, questions to ask your doctor, and sharing information about different protocols and practices.
I’ve been following the supplement list in this book for about a year now.
FAT AND FERTILE
If you are a plus size woman and thinking of getting pregnant, I highly encourage you to read this book. It will give you so much hope and peace. After going through years of unsuccessful trying with my weight being constantly blamed despite perfect labs, reading this book was like opening a window and taking a giant breath of fresh air.
There can feel like there is almost no fat positive fertility advice out there, which can start to feel like being fat means that you aren’t good enough to be a mom. When getting pregnant should wait until weight loss has happened, it is like saying that you don’t deserve to grow your family because of your body. Which just isn’t true.
It is so important to be informed in all areas, but as someone who had a perfectly normal, plus size pregnancy, I’m here to tell you that you can, too.
GET A LIFE – HIS AND HERS GUIDE TO IVF
This is a great one to read if you and your partner are struggling with the emotional aspect of infertility and getting ready to undergo IVF treatment. It is a great resource to go through, even if you are at the beginning stages of fertility treatments to get your head around the process.
It is two sides of the story, which I think can be really great to help your partner understand what you are going through.
If you are reading through this, I wish you weren’t in the position you are in. I know how hard it is to go through years of wanting, loss, and the unknown. And as much as it doesn’t help to hear it, you are not alone in this journey. This is the worst club to be a part of, but it sure is filled with the best members.
