Question:

I suffered a miscarriage in July and have found that my period cycles are yet to go back to normal. This month my period came early, lasted four days and then a week later my period started again. Is there something I'm lacking in my diet or shouldn't be doing? Can you help me? I am also trying to fall pregnant again.

Answer:
The most important aspect of your query has unfortunately been omitted. What is your age and the age of your husband? Age is the most challenging variable when considering conception.

Recommendations are that if you are younger than 35 years of age you should try to conceive naturally for 12 months. If conception hasn't occurred by that time, then you should speak to a health professional and have some tests conducted. If you're older than 35 years of age then the time period shortens to six months. The reason behind this recommendation is that conception is more difficult as we get older. Our eggs and sperm age, our bodies mature and our hormonal systems are not as efficient as when we were younger.

Another crucial piece of the puzzle is that your husband is a smoker, which is not good for conception chances. Apart from negatively affecting his health, it compromises his sperm quality and increases oxidative damage to the actual sperm. This then leads to reduced conception rates and increased risk of miscarriage. Try to have a chat with him about stopping smoking — maybe get him to train with you for your mini triathlon!

Make sure that your timing is right for conception. Remember that women aren't textbooks and not every woman has a 28-day cycle and ovulates on day 14. Encourage daily sex for four days prior to ovulation (when you have fertile-quality cervical fluid) to ensure that the sperm is there ready and waiting for the release of the egg.

For more information please visit Leah Hechtman's website.