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Trying for a baby can be a trying time for any couple. It all should be so easy. You stop using contraceptive methods. You enjoy private time with your partner. You miss your period and the doctor confirms that you are pregnant.

Unfortunately above scenario is not even close to reality for many couples. Month after month, Aunt Flo (your period) is visiting you again and you start despairing. Trying to conceive (TTC) can be a time of self-doubts and feeling helpless. What if you are infertile? What if you'll never be pregnant? What can you do?

Well, first of all, stay calm and don't talk yourself into a panic. Putting yourself and your partner under performance pressure does not help the situation and often even has a negative impact.

TTC 1 - 6

If you only just started trying to conceive within the last 6 months, try your best to put it out of your mind.

Only few of couples become pregnant within the first 6 months and the older you are, the longer it may take. On top of that it can take the female body up to 6 months to be fully ready for pregnancy again if you have taken the contraceptive pill for a number of years.

It may be difficult to do when your hormones are playing up and all you want is to be pregnant right now, but try to enjoy your remaining time without morning sickness and screaming babies and instead enjoy your possibly revived private life with your partner! There is a good chance that you will hold the long awaited positive pregnancy test in your hands rather sooner than later.

TTC 7 - 12

After 7 - 12 months without success you are likely to feel increasingly worried. You really should have been pregnant by now, shouldn't you?

Well, a look at the statistics shows that you are not alone and getting pregnant can take up to 12 months with many couples.

But with your biological clock possibly ticking (especially if you are on the wrong side of 30), you might want to reassure yourself that there is probably nothing wrong.

If you are older than 35 you might want to visit your GP after 6 - 7 months. They can do some initial blood tests to test if you seem to ovulate and if your hormone levels seem to support pregnancy. Your partner might also have a sperm analysis carried out. This can give you some reassurance that there is nothing wrong and you just haven't been lucky yet. And if there is a problem, you don't lose valuable time by not taking any actions.

If you are younger than 35 it is very likely that your doctor will not take your concerns forward yet unless

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