Trying to conceive

Planning a baby? A fertility app won’t necessarily tell you the best time to try

Trying to conceive

WATCH: Trying to become a dad? You may want to put that drink down

The more a man drinks prior to conception, the higher the chances his baby would be born with a congenital heart disease (CHD). This study is urging males trying to conceive to abstain from alcohol six months before conception.

Trying to conceive

Plot twist: When trying to conceive, dad's age matters too

It’s not just women who need to consider their age when planning a family. Studies reveal that men show a 50% lower chance of conceiving after a year of trying at age 35, compared with men younger than 25. Plus, older age in fathers is linked with a variety of health conditions affecting their offspring.

Trying to conceive

The future of human reproduction: Designer babies

"A designer baby is defined as a baby whose genetics has been selected or altered (engineered) to include or remove genes associated with certain diseases or traits."

Trying to conceive

The future of human reproduction: Three-parent babies

A pioneering technique that is used to prevent babies being born with mitochondrial disease results in what is known as a three-parent baby.

Trying to conceive

'You have no idea how difficult it is to face society childless': A reader shares her 9-year fertility struggle

"Please do not point fingers at couples who are trying."

Trying to conceive

This is why Anne Hathaway mentioned infertility in her pregnancy announcement

"It's all about us being there for each other," The actress says she wants everyone to know how "painful and very isolating" trying to get pregnant really is.

Trying to conceive

Joburg mom gives birth to ‘miracle baby’ after a decade of trying

“This one is going to go home.”

Trying to conceive

Here's what science says about how you can conceive a boy or girl

We came across a study titled, 'More sex during South Africa’s World Cup meant more boys nine months on'. Curious about the science behind it all, we decided to dig deeper and found out why this should be, and how you can actually follow particular methods to conceive a boy or girl.

Trying to conceive

11 Fascinating facts about conception

Old wives tales and movie-fueled ideas are rife when talking fertility. Here, Julia Boltt looks at the medical facts that may change your approach to conceiving.

Trying to conceive

Guatemalan moms with more children live longer: Here's why

Scientists may have stumbled across the fountain of youth and, spoiler, it could all be down to the number of children you bear. Or is it?

Trying to conceive

For many women, tracking their fertility can be an emotional whirlwind and have them give up altogether

Some women use paper charts or fertility apps to track their chances of getting pregnant. But while some may find the experience positive, others feel overwhelmed, or give up altogether.

Trying to conceive

What is the ‘right’ age to have a child?

While there are numerous ways of getting pregnant today, including literally putting one's eggs or sperm on ice to delay parenthood, sooner rather than later still seems to be the consensus.

Trying to conceive

Trying to conceive? Cervical fluid's the one thing you probably didn't think to check

Trying to conceive can be challenging. But there are ways you can optimise your chances of getting pregnant, like tracking your cervical fluid and timing sex accordingly. Watch this video – you won't believe how simple and easy it actually is.

Trying to conceive

"Men should have the ability to control their own fertility": Readers respond to birth control pills for men

The conversation around birth control pills has caused quite the stir. Here are some of the comments and opinions readers shared regarding the issue.

Trying to conceive

Birth control pills for men? Here's what you need to know

Men on the Pill? Sounds rather unlikely but actually, may soon be our reality. Although still in its trial phase, scientists say male hormonal contraception is looking rather promising. Here’s what you need to know about male birth control pills.

Trying to conceive

WATCH: See every step of your unborn baby's development in this incredible animated video

This amazing animation video shows in detail how two separate cells combine to become a bouncing baby.

Trying to conceive

8 reasons we may wrongly believe we’re infertile

When you’ve been trying to fall pregnant for so long, you can’t help but wonder about the dreaded ‘I’ word: infertility. But the factors misleading us to believe we’re infertile may not necessarily be a case for medical intervention. In fact, it could simply be about understanding and listening to what our bodies are telling us.

Trying to conceive

Being taller than average makes you more likely to parent multiples and other facts about twins, triplets, and quadruplets

According to science, these factors determine whether you might have twins, triplets, quadruplets or more.

Trying to conceive

How are quadruplets formed?

In the last three years, 2 sets of naturally conceived quadruplets have been born in South Africa. We asked Dr Malika Patel of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the University of Cape Town to explain how these rarely occurring multiples are conceived.

Trying to conceive

Japanese nurses on rota system to fall pregnant

How would you feel if your boss said sorry, it's not your turn to have a baby? Does an employer have the right to decide how you plan your family? Well in Japan it's become somewhat common, especially if you work at daycare centres or hospitals.

Trying to conceive

Busted! Fertility misconceptions explained

Put your legs in the air after sex. You only need to worry if you’re 35. Being on the pill delays your fertility. True or false? We dispel the most common fertility myths – and tell you which ones are true.

Pregnancy health

Pregnancy and folic acid: a prevention success story

While the exact cause of spina bifida and other neural-tube defects isn’t known, what’s certain is that proper supplementation of the B vitamin folic acid, both before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy, goes a long way to preventing these devastating birth defects.