If you’re one of my regular male readers, please stop here. Dad and Uncle Reed — that means you too. Females only for this post, alright? If you have a vagina or identify as a female, please — proceed on!
The Book I Want to Buy All My Female Family & Friends
I bought a copy of Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler a few months before my husband and I began our TTC (trying to conceive) Journey. Even if you’re not currently trying to conceive (or have zero intention to do so), I would still recommend this book to all the women in my life. This book is filled to the brim with excellent information, studies, and data of all things female reproductive. TCOYF is an excellent book, it’s empowering and beyond informative. I don’t know why they don’t teach this stuff to women during 6th grade sex ed. It should honestly be a state requirement.
THE THINGS YOU WISH YOU LEARNED YEARS AGO
From basic cycle patterns, potential problems and how to identify them, understanding the cause and effects of it all, and how to chart successfully whether you’re avoiding pregnancy or trying to achieve it. If you’re into data as much as I am, I recommend charting your own cycles using the methods found in this book.
You’ll know whether you ovulated in any given cycle-or not. You’ll learn that your cycle, as with those of most women, does not conform to the standard 28-day cycle. And most women do not ovulate on day 14 of their cycle either — all totally normal! You’ll also understand all your symptoms throughout the month and questions that you’re too embarrassed to ask will be addressed.
Helps with Pregnancy Achievement
I did read this book for the purpose of conception and I am so so so glad I did. Without getting too personal, I was very diligent with charting my daily waking temperature (there’s also a TCOYF app which makes it super easy). I knew exactly when my fertile window was open and we were able to successfully achieve conception on the first cycle. Which is so incredibly miraculous and I am forever grateful.
The two-week-wait between ovulation and when you can test for pregnancy is a mini purgatory. Why would you want to go through it month after month if you don’t have to? Don’t waste your time with any other book — they all refer back to this one. With charting, you’ll be able to identify any fertility problems BEFORE running to the doctor and getting involved in invasive diagnostics tests. TCOYF is the Bible of Pregnancy Achievement.
Also, it’s really, really neat to know exactly when I ovulated and our daughter was conceived — it comes in handy during your early appointments to see if your baby is growing on schedule when your OB dates your embryo. You’ll also have an accurate prediction of your due date, rather than using your LMP (last menstrual period) as your starting point. Because again, most women do not have a 28-day cycle!
Helps Avoid Pregnancy
Once I give birth and resume my period, I definitely plan on continuing to chart my cycles to help avoid pregnancy until we’re ready to add a second child into the mix. God knows I loved my diaphragm, but the temperature charting method seems so much more natural (though a diaphragm is as ‘natural’ as you can get for BC), effective, and accurate.
With charting, you’ll also know if your period is going to be late beforehand, no more rushing out to get a pregnancy test in panic (literally cannot even count the number of times I freaked out because my period was two days late). I wish I read this book in high school.
If you have a birthday coming up, you might just receive this book from me as a gift… but in all seriousness, your health is literally the most important thing in this world. Learn about your beautiful self and feel empowered by how incredible the female body truly is.