Natural ways to try to choose your baby's sex
Angela Epstein When friends began to whisper that they had used "natural" methods to swing the gender balance, I found their words impossible to ignore.
Parenting news from around the web
A wrap-up of unusual, funny and controversial parenting news, as well as what's going viral on the internet.
New pregnancy test syncs with your phone
Staff writers A new high-tech pregnancy test communicates with a companion app to give you the good news.
Why tweaking your pregnancy test isn't a great idea
JO HARTLEY I have been known to do tests early, and even multiple tests in one day, so I can relate to how tempting it could be.
Why pregnancy tests can show the wrong result
Brooke Tasovac Sometimes even modern pregnancy tests can get it wrong, giving false negative or positive results.
The myths and truths of gender swaying
Brooke Tasovac Here are a few popular methods hopeful parents-to-be use to try to get a baby of their preferred gender – and what an expert says about whether they really work.
Why dads-to-be should quit smoking, too
Armin Brott A lot of men put off quitting - or asking their partners to quit - out of fear that withdrawal might lead to some marital tension. Bad choice.
When a friend's baby joy is a painful reminder
Melody McCabe It can be difficult to celebrate other people's pregnancies when you are struggling to conceive.
Dealing with the emotional impact of infertility
Melody McCabe I’m generally a pretty positive person, but I’m battling with my infertility. It was time I saw a counsellor about how I was coping - or not coping - with it all.
What is the best age to have a baby?
COSIMA MARRINER We speak to mothers in their 20s, 30s and 40s to find out the answer.
Danish couples told to take a holiday and make a baby to win a prize
LETITIA ROWLANDS A Danish travel company has come up with a unique way to tackle their nation's falling fertility rate.
The man's role while trying to conceive
Justin McCabe I honestly can think of nothing that kills the passion and excitement more than Excel intercourse. Thermometers, graphs and demands of performance put a lot of stress on everyone - including us men.
'Egg yolk' treatment ends mum's miscarriage heartbreak
LETITIA ROWLANDS Lorraine Donakey thought she might never become a mum after six miscarriages. But after undergoing a new treatment which involves the use of a substance containing egg yolk, she now has a healthy baby girl.
Asking the hard questions when trying to conceive
Melody McCabe A poignant moment on holidays, 13 months after we started trying to have a baby, has got me thinking about the hard conversations that lay ahead.
8 reasons why having kids is awesome
VICTORIA BIRCH If you’re looking for some reproductive benefits, avoid parenting blogs. If you’d like to create a mini you it’s not all excretions of bodily fluids. There are some brilliant upsides to this kid business.
Some lubricants could harm conception chances: study
Ronnie Cohen Couples trying to conceive may want to avoid using certain common sexual lubricants, which a new study says can reduce the chances of pregnancy.
Why don't we talk about infertility?
Greer Berry When you talk about infertility, you're essentially talking about your sex life, your internal organs, the state of your relationship. But I think we need to talk about it more, not less.
The myth of the 12-month referral wait
Greer Berry It's now 2014. I thought I would have had a baby or at least be pregnant by now. But at least I'm now rounding the first corner, rather than still waiting to line-up at the start line.
Dads need folate too: new study discovers importance of male diet in preventing birth defects
LETITIA ROWLANDS Men, as well as women, need to have adequate intake of the important vitamin B9 (folate) before conception to ensure the health of their future children.
Fit dads can help kids avoid obesity
LARISSA NICHOLSON Men who are slim and healthy when their children are conceived could be helping generations of offspring avoid obesity.
Being a parent is a privilege
There are times during the trying-to-conceive journey when things seem unfair. You just can't help but look at situations sometimes and wonder how things happen the way they do.
A man's view of the TTC journey
Justin McCabe His wife blogs regularly about their journey of trying to conceive, but this time it's Justin McCabe's turn to share how he feels about the monthly tests and their impact on their relationship.
Bacon bad, fish good for sperm
Laura Donnelly Researchers have identified a few dietary changes that could help improve sperm count.
The weird and wonderful history of the pregnancy test
From Ancient Egyptian agricultural trials to Hippocrates' honey tests, and the 'Piss Prophets' of the Middle Ages through to today's digital versions, pregnancy tests have come a very long way.
Trying to relax while trying to conceive
Melody McCabe I'm getting into the right frame of mind to give up the charting, to just "relax", while trying to fall pregnant. It’s just not up to me and thinking about it has gotten absolutely exhausting.
Video: Baby timing
In the fifth episode of the Essential Baby/Elevit with Iodine ‘Conception Series’, we ask the question: is there really an ‘ideal’ time to have a baby?
Video: The road to conception
In the sixth and final episode six of the Essential Baby/Elevit with Iodine ‘Conception Series’, we look at the difficulties that can come our way on our journey to parenthood.
Study: Supplements can improve sperm count
Michelle Robinson Men could do a lot to help their partners conceive by taking nutrition supplements, but it's not as simple for women, new research shows.
Free download: Elevit's Guide to Conceiving
Falling pregnant is one of the most exciting things that can happen to a couple. But sometimes the process can be difficult, so Elevit has created a guide to help you along the way.
Video: Old wives' tales and fertility
In episode four of our ‘Conception Series’, we look at the stories you’ll hear when you’re trying to fall pregnant, and how to tell fertility facts from fiction.
Is parenthood really that bad?
Melody McCabe Melody McCabe looks on the bright side as she tries to fall pregnant amid a media landscape filled with parenting doom and gloom.
Video: Keeping the spark alive
In episode three of our 'Conception Series’, we look at maintaining relationships while you’re trying to fall pregnant.
Video: Tracking your fertile times
If you’re trying to make the most of that small monthly window of opportunity to fall pregnant, it’s a great idea to learn how to keep track of your most fertile times.
The ABC of TTC
Melody McCabe As if trying to get pregnant isn't difficult enough, there is a whole language of acronyms out there to get your head around too. Let me (try) to explain.
My complicated relationship with pregnancy tests
Melody McCabe Anyone who is trying to conceive will tell you that the companies that make pregnancy tests must make a fortune.
When everyone else is pregnant but you
Melody McCabe Fertility counsellor Megan Downer says feelings of grief when trying to conceive are not unusual. Here's what you can do about them.
SPONSORED FEATURE
Video: Making healthy lifestyle changes for conception
From pre-pregnancy cleanses to giving up some of our less-than-healthy habits, there's a lot to think about before trying to conceive a baby.
Shhh, we don't want to hear it
Melody McCabe I've heard a lot of ‘advice’ as I try to fall pregnant, but honestly, I don't want to hear it. Here's what people like me would like to hear and experience instead.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): the facts
Staff writers Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can impact dramatically on a woman's health - especially her fertility. Here are the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of PCOS in pregnancy.
Myth busting
Can you influence your baby's gender?
Monique Robinson The Shettles Method, the Chinese lunar calendar, following a special diet ... do any of these actually influence your baby's gender? We look at the research to find out.
Things I'm thankful for after my miscarriages
Hannah Cherry I’ve come to realise there are positives in negatives - even in repeat miscarriages. So here are the things I'm grateful for.
The road to conception
Dr Debra Kennedy, clinical geneticist When it comes to conception and fertility, old wives’ tales and myths abound. Here are some truths and down-to-earth advice from Australian clinical geneticist Dr Debra Kennedy.
Organising now makes it fun later
Sponsored feature Candy Jubb is former country police officer who retired from law enforcement to lay down the law at home. A mum of seven who also blogs, she shares her advice on gettibng organised before you have a baby.
Putting the fun back into conceiving
Spsonsored feature Steph Bond-Hutkin enjoys a busy family life with her husband and two young daughters. Here, she shares her tips on how to make trying for a baby fun.
Celebrate your relationship
Sponsored feature For Kelly Burstow, having a baby was about celebrating something she and her husband already had: love. Here are some of her ideas for investing in your relationship while trying tor a baby.
Making a baby is as fun as sex
Sponsored feature Jody Armstrong lives on the NSW South coast, where she blogs about life as a mum - and her current pregnancy. Here, she shares her tips for conceiving.
An L-shape to success
Sponsored feature What's the secret to making babies? According to the parents of Fig & Cherry blogger Christie Connelly, it needs to be hot ... and one of you has to try very hard.
Should people with depression reproduce? I did
Shannon Chapman I was certain I wouldn’t have kids because of my depression, right up until the day the biological clock kicked in and demanded I make babies immediately. I rolled the dice twice, and some would say I lost one time out of two: my eldest son has depression.
What is my luteal phase?
Knowing the length of your luteal phase allows you to more accurately predict at what point in your cycle ovulation occurs - and makes getting pregnant easier.
Fertility is not infinite
Prue Corlette Sex-ed may have taught us how to avoid pregnancy, but not once was it mentioned that if you wanted kids, you better get cracking before 35.
Tools
Conception App
Download our FREE Ovulation Calendar; EB EggTimer iphone app to track and record your cycle, symptoms, & temperature.
Ovulation Calculator
Increase your chances of getting pregnant by determining when you are most fertile with Essential Baby's Ovulation Calculator.
Forums
Discuss conception with EB members!
Are you thinking about trying to conceive (TTTC) or trying to conceive (TTC)? Perhaps you're after information on assisted conception or donors? Ask for tips or help others in the Essential Baby conception forums.
Resources
Sexual positions for conceiving
When it comes to conception there is a lot of discussion about successful positions for ‘making babies’. Unfortunately there is no widely-accepted ‘best position’ but here are some answers to common questions surrounding the act of conceiving.
