But while BMI is one of the most commonly accepted measurements of health, this calculation has a problematic history and a flawed application. Let’s break down the fraught history behind BMI.

BMI: The backstory

BMI (first called the Quetelet Index) was invented by a Belgian mathematician named Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet in the early 19th century. He set out to find the “average man” by studying the height and weight of (mostly) European men. His work did not include women or people of color. 

A century later, BMI — a calculation of weight (in kilograms) divided by height in (meters squared) — was picked up by health insurers and medical providers in the U.S. They used BMI to create weight categories (underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese, and morbidly obese) in order to determine individuals’ insurability.

Okay, this sounds questionable, but does it work?

BMI is not a very useful health indicator. There are a few reasons why.

1. BMI was originally created to indicate population health, not to determine individual health.

Quetelet was a statistician. His intention was to collect large amounts of data to uncover population-level trends, not to assess an individual’s health or risk factors.

2. These categories are problematic for individuals who were left out of the original studies

Given the fact that so many groups were excluded from the development of BMI in the first place, it doesn’t make much sense to apply it to them retrospectively. Further, BMI suggests that there is an ideal height/weight ratio. This is simply not true.

3. BMI equates muscle, fat, and bone

The body is made up of (among other things): bones, muscles, and fat. BMI groups all these categories together into one, treating bone, muscle, and fat the same. Not only that, but which out of these three parts of the body weighs the most? Bone. The least? Fat.

So is there a better way to calculate health?

There are alternative calculations of health informed by weight, but the issue at play here goes far beyond the biased history of BMI or its misguided application to individuals. Even weight itself is not a strong indicator of health and research has shown that simply changing one’s body weight is not a reliable measure of improvement in one’s health. 

If you’re looking to feel stronger and healthier, there are things you can do, like starting a health promoting behavior. 

Here are a few examples of health promoting behaviors

• Setting a goal to drink more water
• Figuring out what type of exercise you enjoy and doing it consistently
• Finding a mindfulness practice that helps you tune into your inner needs
• Intuitive eating: listening to your body’s requests for nourishing food

Setting goals like these – that are based on how you feel, how your body functions, and what you personally need to be living in a healthier body – is more reliably associated with improvement in overall health. 

Providers that rely too heavily on BMI might be missing the whole picture of your health. If you’re concerned that your provider isn’t understanding the whole picture of your health, seek out a HAES (Health At Every Size) aligned healthcare provider. There are therapists, body image coaches, doctors, nurses, and dietitians who are all trained in HEAS. You deserve to feel seen and cared for by your provider, regardless of your BMI or the size of your body. 

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• TTC in a bigger body
• Body acceptance when TTC

Sources

• Brazier, Yvette. “How Useful Is Body Mass Index?” Medical News Today. MediLexicon International. September 6, 2021. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/255712.    
• Jackson-Gibson, Adele. “The Racist and Problematic Origins of the Body Mass Index.” Good Housekeeping. Good Housekeeping. November 1, 2021. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/a35047103/bmi-racist-history/. 
• “Adult BMI Calculator.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January 21, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/english_bmi_calculator/bmi_calculator.html. 
• “About Adult BMI.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. August 27, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/index.html. 
• The MNT Editorial Team. “BMI calculations and charts.” Medical News Today. Medical News Today. May 3, 2021. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323586. 
• Devlin, Keith. “Top 10 Reasons Why the BMI Is Bogus.” NPR. NPR. July 4, 2009. https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106268439. 
• Eknoyan G. Adolphe Quetelet (1796-1874)–the average man and indices of obesity. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2008 Jan;23(1):47-51. doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfm517. Epub 2007 Sep 22. PMID: 17890752.

What you can control

Timing of intercourse or introducing sperm

Making a baby is all about timing and, thankfully, you have control over how often and when you have sex or introduce sperm. Checking your cervical fluid and tracking your basal body temperature can help you know when you are ovulating to maximize your chances of success. For couples TTC through intercourse, the highest rates of pregnancy happen for those who have sex every day or every other day during the fertile window, which is the day of ovulation plus the 5 days beforehand. 

Your health

Having a healthy body is important overall, and it’s no different for baby making. This goes for your partner too. Having healthy habits such as eating nutritious food and integrating movement into your day can help prime your body for when you finally do get that positive test. Cutting down on alcohol and caffeine, avoiding smoking, and taking a folic acid supplement can help in your efforts to get pregnant.

Your mindset

It’s common to feel sad or frustrated when you’ve been TTC for a while with no results. Even if it’s taking a little longer than expected, with practice you can aspects of how you think about the situation. Staying relaxed and having a positive attitude can help make the process a little easier. And if you just rolled your eyes, we hear you. There are some specific things you can do to improve your mindset like talking to a therapist and setting boundaries around work. Even spending time outside has been shown to increase happiness.

Things you can’t control

How long it will take

Although it would be nice to have a crystal ball and know exactly when conception will happen, unfortunately there’s just no way to know for sure. Studies show that most couples (about 84%) will get pregnant within their first year of trying. This is reassuring, but of course, every person is different. Some may get pregnant on their first try while others may take 6 months or more.

Your fertility

Having a condition that affects fertility is not your fault. About 12% of women ages 15- 44  have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term. And even though it’s common, struggling to conceive can feel extremely isolating. It’s essential that you have a support system and/or a professional to speak with. 

When your friends get pregnant before you

When you’ve been TTC with no luck, hearing of a friend’s pregnancy can be bittersweet. Of course, you’re happy for your friend, but you may also feel a sense of sadness. Acknowledging your feelings, focusing on self-care, and remaining optimistically realistic can all be helpful in moving forward.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Sources

Mayo Clinic Staff. “How to get pregnant.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. October 5, 2019. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/how-to-get-pregnant/art-20047611.

“Trying to get pregnant.” National Health Service. NHS. December 2, 2020. https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/trying-to-get-pregnant/.

“How long does it usually take to get pregnant?” National Health Service. NHS. September 4, 2018. https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/how-long-it-takes-to-get-pregnant/.

How long does it take (on average) to get pregnant?

Many factors can influence how long it takes to get pregnant, including your cycle, general health, fertility conditions, age, and lifestyle.

Getting pregnant faster

Although it takes the average female up to six months to conceive, there are ways to improve fertility health and reduce time to pregnancy. Staying healthy through diet and exercise and taking folic acid supplements can greatly increase your chances of conceiving, relative to those who don’t do these things. Individuals who track their fertility data to pinpoint their ovulation are also able to speed up their time to conception. Even your mood might help with your fertility: some studies have found that happier emotional states correlate with faster conception.

How long is too long?

Although any female without a condition of infertility or sterility can get pregnant naturally before menopause, some may take a bit longer than others. Doctors recommend that couples who have not conceived after one year of trying seek a fertility consultation to determine if an alternative route to conception might be explored, whether it’s in vitro fertilization (IVF), surgery, or fertility medication. It’s recommended that women over 35 should seek a fertility consultation after six months of trying.

If you have any questions about trying to conceive or your fertility health in general, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for more information.

Read more

• Does pregnancy loss impact future conception?
• Trying to get pregnant for more than a year

Sources

• Dr. Walter Willett. “Nurses’ Health Study II.” National Institutes of Health. United States, 1989-. Web.
• “Nutrition During Pregnancy: FAQ001.” ACOG. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 4/15/2015. Web.

Trying to conceive? What you should know about prenatal vitamins

Getting all the nutrients we need from the food we eat should be possible, but during pregnancy, there can be gaps that even the most careful person can’t avoid. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the U.S. population generally does not meet daily requirements for many nutrients.

Let’s start with a big one. Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that protects against neural tube defects like spina bifida. Getting enough folic acid through supplementation and diet is critical before becoming pregnant and when the neural tube is developing in the early days of pregnancy. Your supplement should have at least 400 mcg of folic acid. You can also consume foods high in folic acid, such as beans, leafy green vegetables, cereals, and enriched or fortified grains. Although you can buy prenatal vitamins that contain “folate,” folic acid is the only supplement that has been researched and shown to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects.

Iron is important for those who plan to become pregnant or who are pregnant. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world, and in pregnancy, it can lead to preterm labor, low birth weight, or infant mortality. Unfortunately, getting enough iron from foods can be difficult, so your provider or midwife may suggest taking a supplement while trying to conceive and during pregnancy. Women 19 to 50 years old who are not pregnant need 18 mg of iron per day, and pregnant women need 27 mg per day. Meats, poultry, and fish are good sources of iron, as are many of the foods listed above that are high in folic acid. Having a source of vitamin C can make iron easier to absorb, so consider adding some strawberries to your spinach salad, red bell pepper to your broccoli, or taking your iron supplements with a small glass of orange juice. Iron can be constipating in supplement form, so you may need to experiment with which brand or type works best for you! When you’re ready to start TTC, you can also ask your provider to check your iron levels with a blood count and ferritin level.

Other things to consider

Each woman has individual needs, so talk with your provider or midwife before starting a supplement. You may need additional vitamins or minerals, and your provider can help identify the best options for you based on your health history and available lab work. Folic acid and iron can be found in prenatal vitamins, regular multivitamins, or sold individually. Remember, supplements are meant to do just what they say – supplement our diets. Taking vitamins shouldn’t replace healthy foods in your diet, like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and protein. By enjoying a variety of healthy foods, you can maximize your nutrition and fertility while trying to conceive!

Sources

• Institute of Medicine. Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs): Recommended Dietary Allowances and Adequate Intakes, Vitamins Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine, National Academies. Available at: https://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/dri-tables-and-application-reports. Accessed May 31, 2017.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2015 – 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 8th Edition. December 2015. Available at http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/.
• “Neural Tube Defects.” march of dimes. March of Dimes Foundation, April 2016. Last reviewed: February 2022. https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/planning-baby/neural-tube-defects

Jennifer Heinen, MS, RDN, LDN Founder, Nourish for Life

If you have been told that you have low iron stores or are anemic, you are not alone. Iron deficiency anemia is the world’s most common nutritional deficiency, and the WHO estimates that anemia affects 29.4% of people of childbearing age globally.

Diet changes that can help with anemia or iron deficiency

Although it is not clear how iron deficiency may affect fertility, a few studies have suggested that your chances of becoming pregnant may increase if you improve your iron status.

So why is your iron status important for TTC? Starting out your pregnancy with low iron can increase the risk of pregnancy anemia, which may lead to preterm labor, low birth weight, and infant mortality. In addition, during pregnancy you need more iron due to an increase in your blood volume, which provides oxygen to you and your baby. Although this may seem worrying, the good news is that there are many ways to improve your iron by consuming iron-rich foods in your diet!

There are two different kinds of iron in foods: heme and non-heme. Heme iron comes mainly from animal proteins, while non-heme iron can be found in plant-based foods. Heme iron is more easily absorbed by the body, which is why vegetarians may need even more iron than meat-eaters. Below are a list of iron-rich foods:

Heme:

• Red meat
• Poultry (especially dark meat)
• Pork
• Fish and seafood (like oysters, sardines and tuna)
• Eggs

Non-heme:

• Fortified breakfast cereals, bread, pasta
• Beans, legumes, seeds, and nuts
• Whole grains
• Enriched flours
• Cooked dark leafy greens
• Some dried fruit (mango, apricot)
• Dark chocolate

To get the most iron out of vegetarian-based meals, enjoy them with foods that have vitamin C. This combination helps absorb the non-heme iron. For example, eat broccoli with tomatoes, breakfast cereal with an orange, or bean salad with bell peppers and pineapple. On the flip-side, calcium can reduce the absorption of iron, so it is best to separate calcium food and supplements from your iron foods when you can. 

Even though many foods have iron, your doctor may recommend taking a supplement. If so, look for a supplement that contains vitamin C to increase absorption, and to avoid constipation and stomach aches that may come with taking iron, you can usually take it every other day. The Recommended Dietary Allowance of iron for women 19 to 50 years old is 18 mg per day, going up to 27 mg per day for pregnant people.

As you can see, it’s possible to improve your nutrition just by enjoying yummy foods! Talk with your healthcare provider if you have questions about your iron levels, anemia, or before making any changes to your diet or supplementation.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team 

Read more 

• What you need to know about iron deficiency anemia
• Why preventive health is essential for better health

Sources

• Aranda N, et al. Pre-pregnancy iron reserves, iron supplementation during pregnancy, and birth weight. Early Hum Dev. 2011 Dec;87(12):791-7.
• Chavarro JE, et al. Iron intake and risk of ovulatory infertility. Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Nov;108(5):1145-52.
• Institute of Medicine. Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs): Recommended Dietary Allowances and Adequate Intakes, Vitamins Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine, National Academies. Available at: https://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/dri-tables-and-application-reports. Accessed May 31, 2017.
• Kaiser LL, Campbell CG. Practice Paper of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Abstract: Nutrition and Lifestyle for a Healthy Pregnancy Outcome. J. Acad. Nutr. Diet. 2014; 7:1099-1103.
• WHO. The global prevalence of anaemia in 2011. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2015.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 28. Accessed May 31, 2017.

From folic acid to DHA, here’s a list of the essentials

Folic acid for preconception 400 mcg, for pregnancy 600-800 mcg:

• Folic acid is the most important vitamin to take while trying to conceive, since ensuring you are getting folic acid for at least one month prior to conception will help reduce the risk of neural tube defects, complications and pregnancy loss. Although you can buy prenatal vitamins that contain “folate,” folic acid is the only supplement that has been researched and shown to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects. 

Iron 27 mg

• Getting enough iron while trying to conceive is important to reduce the risk of pregnancy anemia if you don’t eat enough dietary iron. Take this along with Vitamin C to increase absorption. Note that gummy vitamins usually do not contain iron.

Calcium 1000 mg

• Because calcium and iron should not be taken at the same time, you may want to take a separate calcium supplement or focus on calcium-rich foods throughout the day, like dairy, dark leafy greens, and fortified juices. Your body will best absorb calcium with Vitamin D, and in doses of 500 mg or less.

Vitamin D 400-600 IU

• Not only does Vitamin D help absorb calcium, but it also helps support a healthy immune system! Double whammy! Many OB providers will check your Vitamin D level during a preconception visit or pregnancy, and may suggest higher supplementation amounts if your stores are low.

Choline 450 mg

• Similar to folic acid, choline helps protect infants from developmental defects. Choline is tough to get through diet alone.

Iodine for preconception 150 mcg, for pregnancy 220 mcg:

• Adequate iodine early in pregnancy can help prevent hypothyroidism for the baby.

Vitamin B6 – 1.9 mg

• B6 can reduce the risk and severity of morning sickness when taken before and during pregnancy. It is also important for metabolism and neurological development.

Vitamin A 4000-5000 IU

• Look for Vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene. Do not take more than 10,000 IU per day, as this can increase the risk of birth defects. Many prenatal vitamins sold today contain between 3000 and 5000 IU.

Zinc 11 mg

• Zinc is an important mineral for reducing oxidative stress, and it may also be important for fertility in women (and men!).

DHA 200 mg

• Although there is some debate about the benefits of DHA supplementation, many prenatal vitamins now offer this in their formulas. If you are not eating at least three servings of fish per week, you should ask your provider if you need to take an omega-3 supplement.

Other tips to help choose the right supplements

Check the serving size!

Some vitamins are monster pills meant to be taken once per day, while others split the dose into several pills to be taken throughout the day. Either is nutritionally fine, but look at the supplement facts label to ensure you take your vitamins correctly. It’s also okay to choose based on what you can tolerate without nausea, or remember to take consistently!

No need for the extra stuff

Some prenatals may contain extra B6 or ginger to help combat morning sickness, or probiotics and herbal blends to soothe your stomach. These may be something you want, but aren’t necessary for fertility or healthy fetal development. In fact, steer clear of any vitamins that contain a “proprietary blend,” which is a fancy way to hide ingredients.

Understand testing 

Finally, the FDA does not inspect vitamins for quality, safety or effectiveness. Each manufacturer is responsible for testing its own products. You can consider purchasing products that have been tested by a third party, such as the U.S. Pharmacopeia, NSF International or Consumer Lab.

Get support, if needed

Even though this may be a lot to consider, any prenatal you choose will be fine, as long as it has enough folic acid and you are eating a well-balanced diet. If you are still unsure which prenatal vitamin is right for you, talk with your healthcare provider.

Sources

• Kaiser LL, Campbell CG. Practice Paper of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Abstract: Nutrition and Lifestyle for a Healthy Pregnancy Outcome. J. Acad. Nutr. Diet. 2014; 7:1099-1103
• Nutrition During Pregnancy. American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
• Office of Dietary Supplements – Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Calcium. Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional/.
• Information for Consumers on Using Dietary Supplements. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/UsingDietarySupplements/default.htm Accessed May 31, 2017.

Consider this when preparing your body for pregnancy

Overall physical health during a pregnancy matters. Here are other things to consider when preparing the body for pregnancy.

Medications

Stopping birth control is the obvious one, since a baby isn’t going to come along until after you stop taking it, but other medications you might be taking could have an effect on him or her before you even know you’ve conceived. Your healthcare provider should be able to tell you if any medication you’re taking has the potential for side-effects, and to suggest an alternative if something does. If there is a medication that your healthcare provider suggests you stop taking, it may take a few months after stopping for it to fully leave your system, which may push your conception timetable back a little. This is also a great time to start taking prenatal vitamins, so that when you do conceive, you’ll already have a healthy level of all the nutrients a baby will need.

Pelvic preparedness

If your pelvis is out of alignment, it could limit the amount of space a baby has to develop in, and interfere with his or her position, which could lead to labor complications. If your healthcare provider thinks your pelvis might be misaligned, they might recommend a visit to the chiropractor.

Exercise

Childbirth is an intense physical experience, and now that you’ve decided it’s one you’re taking on, it’s never too soon to start preparing for it. Strong abdominal muscles going into your pregnancy will give you a better chance that they’ll heal normally after labor, and pelvic floor exercises like kegels can help you out both with labor and with a faster recovery and less likelihood of incontinence afterwards.

On the other hand, if you already work out, and especially if you follow a fairly intense exercise routine, now might be a good time to tone down your workout a bit, since particularly stressful and intense exercise can hurt your chances of conceiving and carrying to term. If you aren’t sure whether you should take a step back from your regular workout, ask your healthcare provider.

Nutrition

Getting your diet on track is a great way to both improve your fertility and prepare your body to be the healthiest environment for a child that it can be at the same time. Many providers suggest bettering your diet at least three months before trying to conceive. Luckily, the changes they recommend making aren’t complicated, and shouldn’t come as a surprise, since they mostly consist of following a balanced diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and other healthy sources of protein, and dairy products. There are certain nutrients, like zinc and folic acid, it’s important to get enough of, but prenatal vitamins can also help with that.

Sources

• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Preconception planning: Is your body ready for pregnancy?” MayoClinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Jul 7 2015. Web.

How a vegetarian diet may affect fertility

For female fertility, the short answer is that if done correctly, a vegetarian diet is at least as healthy as one that involves meat. It increases the likelihood of getting sufficient amounts of several important nutrients and can help prevent weight problems, which are known to affect fertility. A diet filled with a variety of fruits, leafy greens, whole wheats, nuts, and legumes fits very well in a fertility plan. However, there are some considerations that every TTC vegetarian needs to plan for in order to make sure that their diet meshes well with their goal of conceiving.

Mix up the protein sources

Consider a supplement

Check your soy

Vegetarians also need to make more of an effort to get healthy fats, like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Avocados and coconut oil are strong sources of omegas, as are fortified eggs, but you may want to speak to your healthcare provider about your omegas if you’re a vegan or otherwise unsure if you’re getting enough. You may also want to consider a supplement of calcium and Vitamin D, as these are more difficult to work into a vegetarian diet as well.

And what about male fertility? Obesity is a common cause of male infertility, so sticking to a vegan or vegetarian diet can be a healthy choice in that regard. However, studies conducted at the Harvard School of Public Health and Loma Linda University show that individuals who keep a vegetarian diet may have lower sperm counts as well as sperm with a reduced chance of conception. More research needs to be done, however, when it comes to male fertility and a vegetarian diet.

Here are the TTC acronyms you should know about

AF:

Aunt Flow. Your period.

Thanks for the invite, but my Aunt Flow’s in town. I’m gonna go home and treat her to some wine and reruns.

BBT:

Basal Body Temperature. BBT may spike right before ovulation, so many women track it to help them pinpoint their ovulation.

The very first thing I did this morning was grab my thermometer and take my BBT.

BCP:

Birth Control Pills.

In almost no time after I stopped taking BCP, I was pregnant.

BD:

Baby Dance. Sexual intercourse, usually done on the most fertile days of your cycle. (Can also mean baby dust, which is a phrase you use to wish someone good luck.)

My ovulation test is positive, which makes me want to dance – the BD, that is!

BFN/BFP:

Big Fat Negative/Big Fat Positive (on your pregnancy test).

Every time I buy a pregnancy test, I think about how it could be the one to show the BFP.

BOB:

Baby on the Brain!

I’m having a hard time shopping with BOB. All I can think about is tiny socks and pacifiers, which makes it impossible to keep track of my grocery list.

CD:

Cycle Day. A specific day in your menstrual cycle (or fertility treatment cycle). To track it, start by counting from the first day of your last menstrual cycle.

It varies each cycle, but normally I ovulate on CD 13, or 13 days after the first day of my period.

CM or CF:

Cervical Mucus or Cervical Fluid. Changes in cervical fluid indicate that a woman is at different stages of her cycle.

At the most fertile point of each cycle, my CM is clear and super stretchy.

CP:

Chemical pregnancy. A very early miscarriage.

My doctor recommended that I put off trying again until one cycle after my last CP.

DD:

Darling daughter. A daughter you already have.

DH, DD, and I go on vacation next week.

DH:

Dear husband.

I’m 42 and DH is 43.

DPO:

Days Past Ovulation, or Cycle Date Post Ovulation.

By 7DPO of the TWW, I’m already wondering if every little cramp is a sign of pregnancy.

DS:

Darling son.

It’s a challenge to care for DD and DS while also TTC.

ENDO:

Endometriosis. A chronic disease in which tissue that is supposed to grow in the uterus grows outside of it. Millions of women experience this condition and it can affect fertility.

After getting diagnosed with ENDO, I was able to find a huge and supportive online community of other women who had the same condition.

EWCM:

Egg White Cervical Mucus. When your cervical mucus looks like egg whites, it may mean that you’re at your most fertile point.

Nothing is as exciting as seeing EWCM when TTC!

FMU:

First Morning Urine. Most pregnancy tests require that women take them the very first time they pee in the morning. In the morning, urine typically has the highest concentration of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, or hCG, an early pregnancy hormone.

I tested with FMU and got a faint BFP.

FP:

Follicular Phase. The phase of the menstrual cycle when follicles mature in the ovary. This phase begins on day 1 of your period, and ends with ovulation.

I’m so excited to try and get pregnant, I just want my FP to be over!

hCG:

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. A hormone produced during early pregnancy that helps the baby grow.

I had a positive test, which means there was enough hCG in my urine to detect a pregnancy.

HPT:

Home Pregnancy Test. A pregnancy test that you can take at home. This morning my HPT showed a BFP – but I’m going to my doctor’s to take a blood test to confirm.

IUI:

Intrauterine Insemination. A specific kind of fertility treatment where sperm is placed directly into a woman’s uterus during ovulation.

After 2 years of TTC, we’ve decided to try IUI.

IVF:

In Vitro Fertilization. A procedure in which an egg is fertilized in a lab and then implanted.

We went through several rounds of IVF before getting a BFP.

LMP:

Last Menstrual Period. The first day of your last period.

I started my LMP on June 6th.

LPD:

Luteal Phase Defect. If the corpus luteum didn’t form properly, a luteal phase defect may occur, causing a short luteal phase. This can make it hard for a woman to get pregnant.

I’ve been really accurate with my charting, because I suspect I might have LPD and I want to have a lot of information to show my provider.

LSC:

Low Sperm Count. Commonly the cause of male infertility.

A semen analysis showed that my partner has an LSC.

M/C:

Miscarriage.

I got my first BFP a year ago, which ended in a really upsetting MC.

MF:

Male Factor Infertility.

To help with the MF issues, we found an infertility counselor who was covered by our insurance.

NTNP:

Not trying for pregnancy, not preventing pregnancy.

I just stopped taking BCP, so I guess that we’re NTNP.

O or OV:

Ovulation.

I O’ed on CD15 and BD on days 13 and 15.

OPK or OPT:

Ovulation Predictor Kit or Ovulation Predictor Test. These tests tell you when your body has a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH), which indicates the onset of ovulation.

I just got a positive OPK, which means BD as soon as possible!

PCO, PCOS, or PCOD:

Polycystic Ovaries, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Disease. A condition in which a woman’s levels of estrogen and progesterone are unbalanced. Women with PCOS develop cysts on their ovaries, and the condition can cause infertility.

My doctor thinks I have PCOS, so I’m waiting to hear back about my blood work.

POAS:

Pee On Stick. Taking a pregnancy test (peeing on a stick), usually at home.

I’m 7DPO and it’s so hard to wait to POAS!

RE:

Reproductive Endocrinologist. A type of fertility specialist.

I’m meeting with an RE tomorrow to go over my fertility test results.

SA:

Semen Analysis. This is a test that providers can use to determine the quality and quantity of a man’s sperm.

The results of his SA show he has low sperm count, low motility, and poor morphology.

SO:

 Significant other.

My SO and I have decided that next month we’ll start TTC.

TWW or 2WW: Two Week Wait. The time period between when you ovulate and can take a pregnancy test.

 just started my TWW and I need to find some ways to distract myself!

TTC:

Trying to Conceive.

I haven’t decided who I want to tell that we’re TTC.

U/S:

Ultrasound.

Our first U/S is scheduled for the end of the month.

Smoking and fertility

Cigarette smoke can damage and kill off eggs, as well as decrease sperm quality, sperm count, and sperm motility (a sperm’s ability to move until it reaches the egg). This means that women who smoke may go through menopause one to four years earlier than women who don’t, and that the sperm of men who smoke is exponentially less likely to fertilize eggs. Smoking can also make IVF treatments for infertility less effective, and after conception, women who smoke are also more likely to miscarry or have ectopic pregnancies.

Having your fertility as a reason to quit smoking isn’t necessarily going to make quitting any easier, but your healthcare provider may be able to suggest a program that could. Once you’ve quit, be sure to balance your nutrition, eat lots of antioxidant-rich food, and consider starting to take a prenatal vitamin, to counteract the effects smoking may have had on your nutrition levels.