Fertility is your ability to produce a child. Infertility is when you have had 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse and you have not become pregnant.
Fertility can be affected by many things and there are also ways to increase your chances of becoming pregnant. Not being able to conceive can be distressing but talking with your doctor, counsellor or psychologist can help you to understand your options and decide what to do next.
When you are pregnant, a healthy and nutritious diet, managing your weight and being aware of the things that affect your pregnancy can help you to be the healthiest you can possibly be and reduce complications such as hypertension, pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes.
Alternatively, there are times when you may want to avoid a pregnancy and there are many different forms of contraception to suit each woman's own needs.
This section of the website is currently being reviewed. It will be updated in early 2024. Please visit our resources for more information on pre-conception care.
This content has been reviewed by a group of medical subject matter experts, in accordance with Jean Hailes policy.
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