Trying to Conceive
Here are resources that we found useful (or that friends have found useful) when trying to conceive (TTC):
Physical Preparation
Diet: Weston A. Price fertility diet (minus the raw milk)
Nina Planck also has a great book "Real Food for Mother and Baby" that has some good advice
the key is to be well-nourished...Lizzie's fertility acupuncturist says she has to tell women "coffee is not breakfast!"
Tea/Infusion: nettle & red raspberry leaf tea
Vitex: Lizzie didn't use this but some people find it useful
Emotional / Spiritual Preparation
Just as important (for some couples) is preparing emotionally and spiritually for becoming a parent.
Flower essences - Lizzie especially found She Oak to be useful, especially for dealing with emotional trauma following a miscarriage (see more about this below), same with Bleeding Heart
Relaxation/vacation - finding ways to reduce stress (including self-induced stress about trying to conceive!) is important...sometimes taking a vacation is a good way to help this!
"Clear the Portal" - one of our birth coaches said that anything getting in the way of you becoming a parent can be a blocker—so try to let go of pent-up emotional/spiritual baggage
Acupuncture
...can be very helpful in preparing for pregnancy (and maintaining good health during pregnancy)
see Pregnancy Page for resources in SF...Amanda was able to help even 50+ year old women conceive!
Timing
First, if you're between 35 and 39, read this article from the Atlantic about how the conventional wisdom about these ages isn't true, and how timing makes a bigger difference.
Kindara app/Wink thermometer - measuring your basal body temperature is very useful, and Kindara's Wink device is a beautiful, easy way to do it; it automatically syncs with the Kindara app, which is very easy to use
Fertility awareness - becoming more familiar with your monthly cycle, including what the vaginal fluid feels like, will help you get in sync
Miscarriage
A lot of people avoid talking about it, but miscarriage is very common, especially for first pregnancies, and it can be heartbreaking. We suffered a miscarriage before we got Adam, and it took a while to recover (both physically and emotionally).