Getting pregnant isn’t always as simple as getting freaky with your partner, contrary to what your Sophomore health teacher told you. For most couples, it takes some time, love and tenderness. While we can’t help you with the love and tenderness, we can certainly empathize with the time involved in waiting.

In fact, many couples who are trying to conceive can spot one another across a crowded room. Here are some top signs that you’re in the middle of that roller coaster called conception:

1. Every month is February. By that, you count your months of in increments of 28 instead of 30 or 31. (Or, if you have a longer or shorter cycle, you might count off your months in increments of 35, 26 or some other number.)
2. You’ve bought a year’s worth of pregnancy test strips. To be sure, this isn’t a bad investment if you’re working at trying to conceive. Many couples take several cycles to get pregnant, and you’re going to be peeing on a lot of sticks in that time. You probably also have a spare basal body temperature thermometer or two.
3. You’re a walking acronym dictionary. You can identify what BFP, TTC, BBT, AF, DTD, DH, BT, CM and BD all mean.
4. You’ve actually spoken some of these acronyms out loud. In a real-life conversation, not just on a message board or in a text message. To someone who has no idea what you’re talking about.
5. Your partner says it’s “time for a talk” about all of the tiny cups of urine scattered about the house. After all, you bought all of those pregnancy test strips, you might as well use them, right?
6. You refuse to buy airline tickets more than five months in advance. After all, the last thing you want to have to do is cancel a vacation because you’re entering your third trimester of pregnancy!
7. You’re constantly checking for “moisture.” Any little bit of moisture down there prompts you to pull out the cervical mucus chart.
8. You’re on the lookout for implantation bleeding. Every time you wipe after you’ve ovulated, you check for signs that the egg has stuck itself inside the wall of your uterus and expelled just a tiny bit of implantation bleeding.
9. When you need to pee, you hold it until you have a stick to pee on. You’re probably keeping some of those test strips in your office at work, in your bathroom at home, in your purse and maybe – just maybe – even hidden behind the soap dispenser in the bathroom at your favorite coffee shop, just in case.
10. You’re putting that smartphone to work in the name of fertility. You’ve got at least four or five different fertility and ovulation calculator apps installed on your smartphone at any given time.

If you’ve been there, you know what we’re talking about.

Babyhopes is a small company that cares. We started back in 2001 to meet the needs of the TTC community. In a time of big impersonal companies, we really pride ourselves in our ability to support our customers. Trying to conceive can be a very stressful time for couples and we like letting them know that we understand how hard it can be.

One of our customers left this fabulous YouTube video as feedback about our service. Yes, we run a business but we realize that it is so much more than that. In our order confirmation emails, we say “Hopefully you won’t be a customer for too long! ” and we really do mean it. Ultimately we are rooting for your success and don’t want you to be plagued with disappointment month after month!

Thank you, Fe, for sharing your video – You made our day!

This huge collection of fertility friendly ebooks (and more!) is everything you need to know to get your body ready for pregnancy, whether you’re just starting a family, want to add to your brood, or are looking for ways to overcome hormone imbalance and infertility. This bundle is everything I wish I would have had access to many years ago when I first began thinking about trying to conceive.

This bundle of information includes a bit of something for each of you and a LOT of information for all of you. Instead of paying over $450.00 for all of these ebooks, you’ll pay just $34.95 for:

• 30 ebooks, spanning fertility information, matters of the heart, real food and recipes, and pregnancy and baby information
• 1 week long meal plans
• bonus FREE content
• and you’ll receive an entry to win a grand prize worth over $1130.00!¹

9 ebooks about fertility and health

 

Fertilise Yourself by Natalie Kringoudis of Melbourne Natural Fertility ($19.95)

This ebook is all about priming your body for fertility, with plenty of tips and tricks for a wellness overhaul, and the ‘how to’ steps to set yourself up to win. If you’re struggling with your fertility, or even just your general health, this ebook can help you navigate your way to being fueled and fighting fertility fit!

Making Super Sperm by Bridgit Danner of Joyful Mammas ($29.00)

The genetics of your baby are 50% from the dad, and 30 – 70 % of infertility cases involve male factor. Get a strong start for your baby by Making Super Sperm from the start!

Fertility Smoothies: Elixirs for Optimal Fertility by Hethir Rodriguez of Natural Fertility Info ($19.95)

In this book Hethir shares with you how to create a wide variety of delicious superfood smoothies to help boost your fertility naturally.

Overcoming Infertility with EFT by Sarah Holland of Fertile Mindset ($20.00)

The ultimate guide and practical workbook using the cutting edge technique of EFT for emotional healing on your fertility journey. Includes detailed but simple to follow EFT instructions, and easy to use worksheets to recognize and reverse your own negative beliefs and self-talk surrounding trying for a baby, heal yourself from traumas and damaging experiences that maybe harming your fertility and much much more!

Eat Your Way to Parenthood by Gabriela Rosa of Natural Fertility Breakthrough ($35.00)

Gabriela Rosa reminds us how a balanced and nutritious diet provides the building blocks for a healthy sperm, egg and baby. This book is both a guide to the process of fertility and the basics of good nutrition, as well as a manual of recipes that cleverly combine the scientific research with balanced, tasty and nutritious ingredients.

Maiden to Mother by Stephanie Brandt Cornais of Mama and Baby Love

The Mama and Baby Love Guide to a Conscious Childbearing Year, containing easy-to-understand information about everything you absolutely must know as you begin your journey to motherhood. Stephanie gives you all the juicy tidbits, and lessons she has learned from working with pregnant couples for the past decade and from her own experience with being pregnant and a new mom.

Zero in on Ovulation by Sally Moran of Get Pregnant Fast ($17.00)

Knowing when you ovulate shouldn’t be a mystery, but many women struggle to understand when their most fertile time of month is. Learn about the different methods of determining ovulation, what can delay ovulation, what herbs help promote ovulation or cervical fluid, symptoms of ovulation, problems with ovulation (including PCOS and luteal phase defect), the effects of using Clomid or Femara, and more. Bonus sections on male infertility, baby gender selection, frequently asked ovulation questions, as well as one-on-one e-mail consultation with the author.

A Modern Girl’s Guide to Natural Fertility by Marni Hotchkiss of Bridge to Baby ($15.00)

Natural fertility in today’s modern world encompasses the foods we eat, our behaviors, and our thoughts. Take a deeper look into how tools/apps as well as the right foods and other holistic approaches can positively impact pregnancy success.

Cleansing for Conception by Donielle Baker of Naturally Knocked Up ($6.95)

There are times in our life where we need to simply slow down and allow our bodies to clear out the toxins we’re exposed to on a daily basis. One of these times is when you’re thinking about becoming pregnant. This ebook will show you the many ways that you can alter your diet and lifestyle so that your body naturally and gently cleanses in preparation for conception. (pre-release copy – no one else will see it until late summer 2013!)

Three Strategies for Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Russell Davis of The Fertile Mind ($9.97)

Research shows utilizing mind-body techniques can double your chances of getting pregnant. This ebook contains practical steps to get off the emotional roller-coaster, find a sense of peace on your journey and actively utilizing your mind-body link to increase your chances of success.

2 ebooks that speak to the heart

 

Pain Redeemed by Natasha Metzler of NatashaMetzler.com ($4.95)

The author of Pain Redeemed takes you on a journey through her own walk with infertility and with honesty and raw truthfulness tells the story of God meeting her there, right in the middle.”

Celebrating Pregnancy Again by Francesca Cox of so this is love ($8.00)

This book is to encourage any bereaved mother experiencing pregnancy again, and help her embrace this bittersweet journey.

12 real food recipe ebooks

 

The Food Healing Recipe Book for Endometriosis by Melissa Meyer of Cure Endometriosis ($27.00)

Specifically chosen recipes to help women with Endometriosis. Having personally used these recipes and this way of eating, I decided to compile some of my favorite recipes. My partner, also happens to be a chef, so they are all tasty and nutritious!

Meal Planning Guide for Healthy Thyroid by Magdalena Wszelaki of The Thyroid Diet Coach ($17.00)

Struggling with meal ideas? No time to cook? Bored with the same menu each week? Confused what you can or cannot eat for thyroid health? Then this guide will equip you with tools to make cooking fun, easy and nourishing. Learn about evolving meals, 15-min meals, dressing ideas, get healthy snack lists and a meal plan.

Thrifty Food Plan Experience by Millie Cooper of Real Food for Less Money ($8.95)

You can enjoy traditional foods while on thrifty budget. 67 pages of thoughts, tips and ideas plus a 2 week menu plan, over 40 recipes and links to many more.

Divine Dinners: Gluten-Free, Nourishing, Family-Friendly Meals by Lydia Shatney of Divine Health From The Inside Out ($14.95)

A collection of recipes that can be paired together to make entire meals. All the recipes are lower in sugars/carbs than that of the standard American diet. Recipes are gluten free and tested time and time again on family and friends with great results.

Lacto-Fermentation by Wardee Harmon of GNOWFGLINS ($20.00)

A 155-page, 23-lesson digital book with detailed instruction on fermenting fruits, vegetables, beans, meats, dairy, and grains. The book will expose you to a variety of fermentation methods — using salt, whey, or other starter cultures. Recipes go beyond fermentation methodology and include spices and seasonings to improve the flavor of the final product.

Real Food Ingredient Guide by Kelly of Kelly the Kitchen Kop ($22.95)

Confused about which ingredients are good for you and which ones to avoid? Get a quick-reference list of what to look for at the store or farm, with many listings including a good-better-best recommendation. Also this newly REVISED edition includes bonus material: Bringing Your Family from Junk Food to Real Food!

The Everything Beans Book by Katie Kimball of Kitchen Stewardship ($8.95)

Fall in love with legumes because they’re frugal and delicious. Kimball’s recipes span everything from appetizer to dessert, and the introductory pages will help you cook dry beans like a pro, understand their health benefits, and even get ideas to reduce the…you know…flatulence often connected with beans.

Just Making Ice Cream my Marilyn Beard of Just Making Noise ($12.00)

Because we all deserve a special treat now and then – but it doesn’t mean we can’t choose to do it in a healthier way! It includes 113 pages and over 70 recipes to choose through all 4 seasons of the year… who says ice cream is only for the summer?!

Grain-free/Gluten-free Baking by Stephanie Brandt Cornais of Mama and Baby Love ($9.99)

If you can’t cook and you can’t bake – this book is for you. I taught myself how to cook, and then I taught myself how to bake. You can too. 20 easy recipes, full of tips and tricks for beginners; recipes for cookies, cakes, pies, pizza crusts and more!

Simple Food for Spring by Shannon Stonger of Nourishing Days ($10.00)

Simple Food {for spring} is a grain-free cookbook that emphasize real food and sustainable living. This 80-page edition contains all of the freshness of spring with a focus on cultured dairy salad dressings, wild edibles, and using all of those fresh greens. Each of the 28 recipes includes full-color photos.

Simple Food for Winter by Shannon Stonger of Nourishing Days ($10.00)

Simple Food {for winter} is the first of what I hope to be four seasonal cookbooks that emphasize real food and sustainable living. This 58 page book contains 30 recipes, 10 full-color photos, and three essays.

Happy Mom, Healthy Family Meal Planning Workshop and eCookbook by Lisa Byrne of Wellgrounded Life ($29.00)

A practical, flexible and enjoyable way to make peace with the task that comes every day: preparing meals. This workshop equips you with techniques to make truly family-friendly, whole-foods recipes through a webinar presentation, meal planning templates & worksheets, demo videos plus a downloadable cookbook filled with 89 tried-and-true delicious recipes. Who could want more? (Besides a personal chef perhaps!)

6 pregnancy and birth ebooks

 

Healthy Pregnancy Super Foods by Kate Tietje of Modern Alternative Mama ($8.95)

If you’re struggling with how to eat healthy to prepare for and during pregnancy, simplify it with this book. There are only two rules: avoid junk, and eat super foods. Plus 30 healthy, super-food-filled recipes!

UnBound Birth by Jenny Yarbrough of UnBound Birth ($4.99)

Unbound Birth: How to Have a Natural Birth in the Hospital is an inspiring collection of natural hospital birth stories. With determination, information, preparation, andsupport, Jennifer offers women hope for the beauty of a natural birth within a hospital setting.

Breast to Bib by Kate Tietje of Modern Alternative Mama ($8.95)

Make feeding babies easier with this practical guide to healthy breastfeeding, introducing solids, and handling picky toddlers. The book also includes over 30 baby and toddler-friendly recipes.

My Buttered Life: Baby Edition by Renee Harris from MadeOn Skin Care ($5.00)

This ebook includes 5 recipes, each with 5 ingredients or less. The recipes include baby massage oil, baby balm, creamy baby lotion, diaper rash cream and oatmeal milk bath. Each recipe has an accompanying video, a list of where to buy ingredients and supplies, and a cost analysis to compare with store-bought products.

Forty Weeks of Pregnancy Development by Angela England of The Untrained Housewife ($9.95)

What happens during each week of pregnancy? Now you’ll hear how each week of pregnancy brings changes to both you and your baby! Enjoy the extra information about common issues such as morning sickness, back pain, and more!

Embracing Beauty: practical style for every shape and season of motherhood by Trina Holden of trinaholden.com ($9.00)

A style guide that gets to the heart of beauty, and helps women identify and embrace their personal style through all the changes of motherhood.

Bonus Material

 

• Six Tips to Enhance Fertility in Women with PCOS by Jess Pedersen CHCC of Be Mama Be Well
• Top Food Myths by Dr. Marlene Merritt of Merritt Wellness
• Break the Sugar Habit ebook by Lisa Byrne of Well Grounded Life
• The introduction to Primal Moms Look Good Naked ebook, audio by Peggy Emch from The Primal Parent
• Secrets of Stress Resilient Moms, audio teleclass by Lisa Byrne of Well Grounded Life
• Making Super Sperm, audio book by Bridgit Danner of Joyful Mammas
• It Takes Two to Make a Healthy Baby (audio) with Dr. Erika Siegel of Nourish Me
• Food for Fertility daily checklist by Donielle Baker of Naturally Knocked Up

7 week long meal plans

 

To help you get started on a whole foods diet, we’ve also included a variety of meal plans to fit your needs!

• Jess Pedersen CHHC of Be Mama Be Well The Be Mama Be Well Meal Planner is an alkalizing plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free plan that excludes highly processed foods. The Be Mama Be Well Meal Planner is meant to help you detoxify your body, cleanse your liver, balance your hormones, eliminate food-induced mood swings, and boost your nutrient intake.
• KerryAnn Foster of Cooking Traditional Foods The Cooking Traditional Foods’ Menu Mailer covers breakfast, lunch and dinner based on the guidelines in the Naturally Knocked Up Fertility Foods Checklist.
• Mary Vance of www.MaryVanceNC.com Autoimmune plan for those who have Hashimoto’s autoimmune thyroiditis or other autoimmune conditions. Excludes the inflammatory foods most likely to aggravate autoimmune conditions: gluten, dairy, soy, grains (for the most part, at least corn), nightshades, nuts, eggs.
• Jill Marks of Modern Alternative Pregnancy Proper nutrition plays a vital role in fertility, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. This meal plan is gluten-free with real, whole foods to optimize your health and give your baby a wonderful start!
• Therese Asmus of Artistta This menu plan does it’s best to include a variety of meals that aren’t only pleasing to the pallet, but are also excellent sources of the many nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy.
• Amy of PCOS Diva Spring Meal Plan (includes: Getting Started Guide, Recipes and Shopping List) is a whole food based, gluten-free, processed soy-free, and low dairy (or easily can be made dairyfree) plan. You don’t need a crazy diet to increase your fertility, you just need to get in the kitchen and start cooking delicious, nutrient-dense meals.
• Joanna Steven, author of Well-Rounded. Plant based, whole foods based, with a mix of nourishing raw and cooked recipes for the vegan or vegetarian woman.

Bonus Offerings

 

• One month meal ebook from My Humble Kitchen
• Free Fertility Relaxation Program from Circle and Bloom
• One month premium membership at Fertility Flower
• one hour video seminar with Russell Davis of The Fertile Mind

Giveaways worth $1130.00!

 

But that’s not all – it’s $1130.00 times two! There will be one grand prize winner who will receive each and every one of the following products/services.¹ All of which will help you on your way to growing your family. And then we’ll be giving away each of the products separately toindividual winners as well, so you get more chances to win these fabulous products.

$25 gift certificate to MadeOn Skin Care ($25.00) – Choose from Simply Soothing Rash Cream, or Beesilk Jr for your baby. Or, shop for you and buy Beesilk hard lotion bars or a pack of tinted lip balms. All products are made with safe and natural ingredients. (includes free shipping)

Fertility Detox Cleanse Program from Bridgit Danner ($125.00) – Get your body primed for baby with this professionally-led detox program (food supplies to be purchased by recipient.)

Still Standing mug from Still Standing Magazine ($13.99) – Still Standing is an online magazine for those dealing with infertility and baby loss, offering resources and hope.

Making Babies DVDs from Bulk Herb Store ($75.00) – Three fun, informational, and colorful DVDs include deliciously healthy recipes, remedies and herbal concoctions that cover the fertility, pregnancy, and post-partum time in your life. At the Bulk Herb Store we want to teach you what we know and inspire you to learn and research beyond that with our homemade herbal remedies, our experiences, and the tested wisdom of others.

ibasal thermometer from FairHaven Health ($59.95) – The ibasal is a computerized digital basal thermometer that helps you maximize your changes of conceiving by accurately measuring your BBT and interpreting this data to produce a fertility prediction in advance of ovulation.

One bottle of FertilAid for Women from FairHaven Health ($28.95) – FertilAid for Women is a fertility enhancing supplement designed to help restore hormonal balance, support reproductive wellness, and optimize your chances of conceiving.

Femmenessence MacaHarmony from Natural Health International ($69.98) – Femmenessence MacaHarmony is a natural approach to hormone balance and supporting fertility without introducing hormones from outside of the body.

Medium Fertility Kit (LH and HCG tests) from Kisses from Above ($18.00) – Includes 30 ovulation and 10 pregnancy tests. Everything you need in one easy-to-order kit! Both the ovulation and pregnancy tests will come in the strip format, as shown in the picture.

Herbal kit from Mountain Rose Herbs ($56.20) – FecundiTea, Nurse-Me Rhyme Tea, “Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Years” by Susun Weed, Evening Embrace Aroma Spray, and 4 oz. each of Red Clover, Dandelion Leaf and Raspberry Leaf.

One bottle of cod liver oil from Green Pasture ($44.00) – Green Pastures is dedicate to providing their customers with high-quality sacred-food oils just as they were made prior to the industrialized food and farming revolution. They are committed to providing the community with nothing but pure, unadulterated, non-industrialized wild-caught fish liver oils.

Set of six essential oils from Plant Therapy ($48.68) – Romance Set Includes 100% Pure, Therapeutic Grade of: Sensual, Peppermint, Energy, Headache Relief, Tranquil, & Invigor-Aid. 10 ml each

Natural Cycle Relaxation Program from Circle and Bloom ($59.00) – Start today to feel in greater control over your fertility success with our downloadable program which includes 28 unique guided meditations to support you in communicating with your body and tapping into your innate ability to create.

Year subscription to Fertility Flower (sympto-thermal charting) ($40.00) – Fertility charting is simple, effective and teaches you about your body. When you “chart”, you learn to recognize when you’re fertile and when you’re not so that you can target your baby-making activities at the most fruitful time.

Complimentary consultation at the Metabolic Treatment Center ($100.00 value) – Dr. Schuler or another metabolic treatment specialist at Metabolic Treatment Center will review an individual’s history, medication, supplementation, diet, and symptoms and provide an initial assessment review (phone, Skype, or at the Bloomington office).

SpermCheck Kit ($39.99) – The only at-home sperm test for men! Results in 10 minutes, 98% accurate, private and convenient!

Preseed lubricant from Baby Hopes ($21.50)- Pre~Seed lubricant replenishes your natural moisture while providing an optimal environment for sperm.

Fertile Soul of Yoga DVD from Nourish and Bloom ($25.00) – Fertile Soul of Yoga DVD offers fertility enhancing yoga, meditation, and abdominal and femoral massage demonstration.

What to Eat & Why audio program by Nichi Hirsch Kuechle of My Healthy Beginning ($197.00) – This program is set up with three modules: Preconception, Pregnancy, and Postpartum with nearly two hours worth of content that you can immediately implement.

A Practical Guide to Children’s Health ebook by Kate Tetje of Modern Alternative Mama ($17.95) – A well-researched ebook on raising healthy children.

The Woman Code book by Alisa Vitti ($25.99) – WomanCode by Alisa Vitti will guide you on how to Perfect Your Cycle, Amplify Your Fertility, Supercharge Your Sex Drive, and Become a Power Source.

Naturally Knocked Up book by Donielle Baker ($18.95) – Your guide to increasing the odds of conception through natural living and nourishing foods.

Rebuild from Depression book by Amanda Rose ($19.97) – This book on depression describes the research basis for the nutrient-depression link, highlighting the nutrients with the strongest basis in research. With seven specific nutrients in mind, the authors review each of the food groups recommending how to improve the diet for the long-term.

Extra discounts for bundle purchasers

 

• 25% off ebooks from Kate Tietje at Modern Alternative Mama
• 25% off any purchase at Cooking Traditional Foods, including our renewable menu plan subscriptions.
• $3.00 off a large Simply Soothing Rash Cream from MadeOn Lotion
• 20% off products from Sarah Holland at Fertile Mindset
• 40% off any ebook from Katie Kimball at Kitchen Stewardship
• 20% off books by Millie Cooper at Real Food for Less Money
• 10% off essential oils and products at Plant Therapy
• 40% off all Making Babies products from the Bulk Herb Store
• 15% off products at Kisses from Above
• 25% off BeMama Fertility Cleanse Programs with Jess Pedersen CHHC of Be Mama Be Well
• 10% off at FairHaven Health (excludes OvaCare and Preseed)
• 25% off your first visit at the Metabolic Treatment Center
• Receive 2 boxes Femmenessence MacaHarmony, 3 boxes of pH Quintessence, and 1 box Sole Stones for only $99.00 (52%off) at Natural Health International
• 20% off all programs at The Fertile Mind

Important fine print to read

1) All purchases are non-refundable due to the short duration of this sale and no late sales will be offered. 2) All giveaway products are sponsored by the individual companies, most of which are limited to shipping within the United States. The grand prize package will be shipped by Naturally Knocked Up LLC and is available to US and Canada, excluding the consultation which is available only in the US. ¹To enter the giveaway without purchase send a 3×5 postcard to Naturally Knocked Up LLC PO Box 26 Burnips, MI 49314 by May 14, 2013. 3) All products are downloadable ebooks and audio files. You will not be shipped any physical goods with your purchase of the natural fertility ebook bundle, but will be sent a link where you can download all of the material. 4) It is your responsibility to download all the files before June 1th, 2013. 5) Bonus offers are onlyeligible once per purchase, expire at midnight on May 31, 2013 and are the sole responsibility of the sponsor. 6) The above links are affiliate links, thank you for supporting this affiliate partner. 7) Please understand the information shared through this natural fertility ebook bundle is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, but rather to encourage perhaps a new discussion or conversation with your own physicians and health care providers and to inspire you to continue to research healthy alternatives.

 

So, you’re to the point where you’re thinking about having a baby. That’s wonderful, but before you actually start the process you need to proceed with a little bit of caution.

Before you and your partner conceive a baby, there are a number of things you need to discuss:

The Right Time

One of the first things you should look at is the maturity level of your relationship. Bringing a child into the world before partners are able to enjoy each other often causes a relationship to go sour. Similarly, you shouldn’t have a baby to save a relationship.

Finances

Raising a child is expensive. You’ll want to make sure your finances are situated. Before you conceive, figure out your actual financial situation and develop a workable budget.

Family Medical History

As a couple, you’ll need to find out if there are diseases that run in either family. Examples include heart disease, muscular dystrophy, diabetes and various mental illnesses. Having a child with special needs presents its own challenges.

Parenting

Now is the time to talk with your partner about parenting techniques. This also includes childcare scheduling. You’ll need to decide who’ll wake with the baby in the middle of the night and changes diapers. Discussing this now eases the stress and avoids unnecessary arguments. Also talk about any plans you might have for daycare.

Disposables and Recycling

Before having a baby you’ll need to consider whether to use disposable diapers or recyclables. Using disposables is much more convenient, but is also very costly. On the other hand, using cloth is far less expensive but it’s more time consuming.

Similarly, you’ll need to choose between reusable bottles and disposable bottle liners.

Other Children

If you already have other children, you’ll need to bring them into the discussion, too. They need to understand that they are still part of the family and you will love them the same. You will want to clearly explain how they can be a good big brother or sister and help out with the baby.

Getting in sync before you get pregnant is imperative. In the long run, it will save a lot of trouble. It might even save your family.

Unless you’re trying to get pregnant, missing your period can be a very frightening experience. Naturally, when your period doesn’t arrive on time, you’re likely to start worrying about having a baby. Every little bit of nausea can feel like morning sickness. Additionally, after a certain age you might start worrying about menopause. However, these aren’t the only reasons your menstruation cycle is late.

So, if you’re period is late, it could be from one of the following reasons:

• Stress. Stress can affect your periods. Your doctor or midwife will work with you to help you formulate a plan for what you should do to relax and return to your routine. This can sometimes take months and will take patience.
• Illness. Any sort of illness can temporarily delay your period. If you believe this is the case, you should contact your doctor to find out when you should expect your period to return.
• Schedule changes. Constant changes in your schedule often throw off your internal clock. If you switch shifts regularly and there are problems with your cycles, ask your supervisor to put you on a more permanent shift.
• Medication changes. If you’re on new medication and your period is either late or missing, talk to your doctor. If you’re advised to switch medications, make sure to find out if your period will be affected.
• Being overweight. Being overweight can change your body’s hormonal makeup to the point where your periods can stop. Under normal circumstances, your menstrual cycle will revert back to normal when you lose some of the weight.
• Being underweight. Lack of body fat will also cause your period to stop. This is known as amenorrhea. Gaining weight will normally bring back your regularly scheduled period. This is a common occurrence for athletes and women who work out regularly.
• Miscalculation. Although the average menstrual cycle is approximately 28 days long, it actually varies by individual. Time when you think your period is late is nothing more than miscalculation. If your periods are irregular, but you know when you ovulate, your period should show up about two weeks later.

You may find your period is late or missing completely and you’re not experiencing any of the reasons listed here. If this is the case, you may find something more serious is the cause. You need to make sure your body is functioning properly, so contact your physician if you believe something is wrong.