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As a fertility consultant with a passion for supporting women on their fertility journey, I'm here to share some of the best advice for women over 40 who are eager to get pregnant.

In the 1970s, the average age of first-time mothers in the United States was 21. Fast forward to 2020, and that average age had bumped up to 26 and rising. Why the shift? Well, studies point to career aspirations and financial considerations – let's face it, raising kids isn't exactly budget-friendly!

But here's the thing: while we may be delaying parenthood for various reasons, our bodies aren't necessarily on the same page. At The Pretrimester, we've noticed more and more patients, especially those over 40, coming to us with questions about conceiving later in life.

So, let's dive into some of the most common queries and offer some friendly advice for those eager to start a family at 40 or beyond.

Is it possible to get pregnant naturally at 40? Absolutely! Despite the natural decline in fertility as we...

The 3 months prior to conception are critical when it comes to health of your eggs. The same eggs will become your future child. The best part is that you can positively impact them today, simply with what you eat.  At The Pretrimester, we understand the importance of this chapter in your life and the desire to nurture your body in the best way possible. That's why we're here to guide you through the process, offering support, resources, and expert advice every step of the way. Here are the top fertility foods to start incorporating into your diet.

When I was trying to get pregnant, I was busy working 3 jobs so fancy and expensive meals were out of the question. I started packing my blender to supercharge my diet that I was trying to improve. I've also included a fertility boosting smoothy jam packed with goodness at the end of the article. 

1. Leafy Greens: Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are nutritional powerhouses, packed with folate, iron, and other essential vi

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5 Ways to Reduce Stress Today: Navigating Infertility

Feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of fertility? It's common to experience stress triggers, whether it's a well-meaning comment or the endless stream of pregnancy announcements on social media. Managing stress is crucial for your well-being during this journey. Here are five simple strategies you can implement today to reduce stress and cultivate a more positive mindset:

Identify Your Triggers:

Take a moment to reflect on what situations or interactions trigger stress for you. Is it a particular topic of conversation? A social media post? By identifying your triggers, you can proactively avoid them or change your reaction to them, empowering yourself to navigate difficult situations with greater ease.

Mantras & Positive Affirmations:

Your beliefs shape your thoughts, influencing your actions and reactions to stress. Incorporating positive affirmations into your daily routine can shift your mindset towards resilience and opti...

In today's world, many of us find ourselves at a crossroads, balancing dreams of career success, educational pursuits, and the desire for the right timing to start a family. It's no surprise that many women, myself included, turn to hormonal contraception to navigate this journey. While these methods promise effective contraception and symptom management, prolonged use brings its own set of risks and concerns, especially when it comes to conditions like endometriosis.

 The Impact of Prolonged Hormonal Contraception:

For those of us delaying motherhood, hormonal contraception becomes a trusted companion for longer stretches. Whether it's the pill, the patch, the ring, or hormonal IUDs, these methods alter our body's natural rhythms to prevent pregnancy. But as time goes on, this delicate hormonal dance can become disrupted, leaving us vulnerable to various health complications.

The Link to Endometriosis:

Endometriosis, a silent struggle for millions of women worldwide, can be furthe...

How to Get Pregnant Fast: Tips when trying to conceive 

 If you’re anything like me, as soon as you start thinking about having a baby, you start counting out the 9 (actually 10) months into the future, and dreaming about when your little boy or girl will arrive. If, like me, you're a bit older or have an underlying medical condition—such as endometriosis—you're likely aware that time is of the essence when it comes to conception. That’s why I wrote this blog to provide you with tips and strategies to help you increase your chances of getting pregnant faster.

Are you sure you’re ovulating? This is one of the most important questions you need to answer.

• To maximize your chances, it's crucial to understand your menstrual cycle. Track your cycle diligently and pay close attention to the timing of ovulation. You can use several different methods, including tracking your BBT each morning, cervical mucus monitoring, ovulation predictor kits or fertility tracking apps to pinpoint your mo...

Unlocking the Power of Apple Cider Vinegar: A Pretrimester Guide

Ever since I was diagnosed with endometriosis, while going through IVF, I've tried several things to help manage my symptoms and keep my flare ups at bay. I've lean towards tried and true remedies that have stood the test of time. One thing that has stuck, because it's easy, cheap and I've found it to be incredibly helpful is apple cider vinegar. ACV has long been celebrated as a holistic remedy for various ailments. It can also play a significant role in preparing your body for pregnancy during the pretrimester phase.

Understanding Apple Cider Vinegar: Nature's Gift

Before we explore its fertility-boosting properties, let's uncover what makes apple cider vinegar a nutritional powerhouse. ACV is made through the fermentation of crushed apples, resulting in a potent concoction brimming with beneficial compounds. At its core, ACV contains acetic acid, enzymes, probiotics, and trace minerals, all of which contribute to it...

Hey there Future Momma! 

Congratulations on beginning the exciting journey into parenthood! It's a thrilling time filled with questions and, of course, a touch of nerves. It’s also an opportunity to start taking care of yourself and your future baby. You might also be here because you have some concerns. Worried you might be a little older than you hoped you’d be when you’d be starting a family. Perhaps you've heard stories about friends facing challenges on their road to pregnancy. You might even be aware that 1 in 6 women faces struggles in their first year of trying to conceive.

As someone who's been through my own infertility journey, I'm here to lend a helping hand to as many hopeful moms as I can, all striving for that dream of a happy and healthy baby.

So, let's start at the very beginning—or, technically, before the beginning we usually associate with pregnancy: The Pretrimester. You know about the three trimesters of pregnancy and you might even know about the fourth trime...

If you're considering starting a family soon, congratulations! This is such an exciting time, but it also be overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding what you should be doing when trying to conceive to prepare your body for pregnancy. The way you take care of yourself and the choices that you make directly affect your egg quality. One important step you can take is focusing on your preconception care, which includes the period known as the pretrimester.

The pretrimester is the time before you start trying to conceive, when you can make changes to your lifestyle and health habits that can help ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby. It's an opportunity to get your body in the best shape possible for pregnancy, by optimizing your physical, nutritional, and emotional health.

Why is the pretrimester important?

Research shows that the health of a baby is largely determined by the health of the mother before and during pregnancy. By taking care of yourself in the preconception...

A bunch of years back, my cousin gave my mom a juicer for Christmas. He recently started drinking all kinds of different juices and was loving it. Then he made the mistake of mentioning that it was "kinda hard to clean." That's all she needed to hear. That juicer got tucked it away in a cabinet and never even opened it.  Fast forward a couple years and it seemed like celery juicing was everywhere. The Medical Medium wrote a book and everyone seemed to be jumping on board.

I read somewhere that it could help with my endometriosis. If you are or know anyone that suffers with endometriosis, it's brutal and we're always trying to find things that actually help. There is very little out there that actually helps. 

So I gave it a try.  Honestly, it takes just like you'd imagine, liquid celery. Kinda bitter and not super tasty.  The medical medium recommends a very specific protocol for get the full benefits.  Thats being said if something if gross I'm way less likely to actually drink i...