The Daily Try

Feeling frustrated with your body during fertility treatment or while trying to conceive is completely understandable—and you don’t have to feel guilty for it.In this supportive episode of *The Daily Try*, we explore the anger, exhaustion and disappointment that can come from doing “everything right” yet still not getting the result you’re hoping for. From confusing pregnancy symptoms and endless tracking to injections, monitoring and another difficult cycle, fertility can leave you feeling disconnected from—and even at odds with—your body.You’ll be reminded that frustration doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful, negative or failing. Sometimes the kindest thing you can do is acknowledge that this is hard, give yourself permission to feel it, and step away from the pressure to simply “get on with it.”Discover gentle ways to care for yourself, including resting, asking for support, taking a break from apps and tests, contacting your clinic, or finding a distraction that gives your mind a much-needed reset.If you’re having a tough day, this episode is here to say: you’re not alone, your feelings are valid, and you’re doing better than you think.For more support, check out my ⁠Monthly Fertility Snail Mail letter subscription
Got a question/comment or feedback?  Dropme an email [email protected] and I can answer it on the podcast

Fertility care can feel like learning an entirely new language: AMH, AFC, BBT, IUI, IVF, FET, DPT—and that’s before you add medication names, hormone results, and embryo grades.In this episode of *The Daily Try*, Lara unpacks the overwhelm that comes with fertility acronyms and reminds you that you’re not expected to be an expert before treatment begins. Whether you’re trying naturally, preparing for IUI, or navigating IVF, you have every right to ask for clear explanations in plain English.Discover practical ways to feel more confident at appointments, including keeping a running list of unfamiliar terms and questions on your phone, asking clinicians to slow down, and speaking up whenever something doesn’t make sense. You’ll also learn how to access a helpful acronym guide and send anonymous questions to Dr Jill, an experienced OB-GYN who can explain confusing fertility topics simply.Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that understanding your care is part of receiving good care—and saying “I don’t understand this yet” is always okay.Here is a list of acronyms explained https://hoopsy.com/ivf-abbreviations-and-acronyms

For more support, check out my ⁠Monthly Fertility Snail Mail letter subscription
Got a question/comment or feedback?  Dropme an email [email protected] and I can answer it on the podcast

Starting something new on your fertility journey can bring a flood of questions: Is it working? Should I feel different? Did I make the right decision?In this episode, Lara explores why your body may need time to adjust to new supplements, medications, routines, or fertility protocols—and why a lack of immediate answers doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. Everyone responds differently, and progress rarely follows a neat, predictable timeline.You’ll hear gentle reminders to trust the decisions you’ve made with your clinician, resist the urge to interpret every twinge or symptom, and give yourself permission to wait for more information. Lara also shares a simple journaling practice to help you notice patterns over time and arrive at appointments with useful questions and observations.If you’re stuck in the uncertainty of “has it worked yet?”, this episode offers reassurance, perspective, and a little patience for the process. You don’t need all the answers today—just take care of yourself one day at a time

For more support, check out my ⁠Monthly Fertility Snail Mail letter subscription
Got a question/comment or feedback?  Dropme an email at [email protected] and I can answer it on the podcast

When it feels like everyone else is moving forward while you’re stuck in the waiting room of fertility, comparison can be painful. Pregnancy announcements, IVF updates, new homes, holidays, and carefully curated social media feeds can leave you wondering, “Why not me?”In this compassionate episode of *The Daily Try*, Lara explores the invisible timelines we create for our lives—and what happens when reality doesn’t follow the plan. Drawing on her own fertility journey, she reminds you that taking longer, changing direction, or facing the unexpected doesn’t mean you’re behind.You’ll be encouraged to step away from the scroll, notice what’s real and good today, and challenge the belief that you’re late to your own life. Your path may not look the way you imagined, but it is still yours—and there is no single schedule for becoming who you’re meant to be.

For more support, check out my ⁠Monthly Fertility Snail Mail letter subscription
Got a question/comment or feedback?  Dropme an email at [email protected] and I can answer it on the podcast

When fertility advice doesn’t line up, it can leave you wondering who to trust—and whether you’ve missed something important. In this episode, we explore why different clinics and clinicians may interpret the same information differently, especially when there’s more than one possible path forward.Lara shares her own IVF experience, including the frustration of discovering an infection only after her first unsuccessful cycle and questioning why it hadn’t been identified sooner. She explains why changing direction doesn’t necessarily mean earlier care was wrong, and how fertility treatment often involves adapting based on your individual history and response.You’ll also hear practical questions to ask, including: What are the benefits and risks? Is this essential or optional? What happens if we wait? And how does this recommendation fit my goals?A second opinion isn’t being difficult—it’s a way to feel informed and supported. Your care should make sense to you, and you deserve to be part of the decision-making process.Plus, find out how you can send in questions for upcoming episodes with a board-certified OBGYN and fertility nurse.

For more support, check out my ⁠Monthly Fertility Snail Mail letter subscription
Got a question/comment or feedback?  Dropme an email at [email protected], and I can answer it on the podcast

When you’re trying to conceive, it can feel like you need to try everything: supplements, special diets, acupuncture, pineapple, post-transfer chips, new tests, and endless fertility “must-dos.” But more isn’t always better—and not every popular tip is supported by evidence.In this episode of *The Daily Try*, we explore how to separate what may genuinely help from what simply adds pressure, expense, or anxiety. Discover why pineapple, hot chips after embryo transfer, and putting your legs up the wall may not improve your chances—and why something can still offer emotional support even if it doesn’t directly affect fertility.You’ll learn practical questions to ask before adding another treatment or purchase to your fertility plan, including: Is there good evidence? What are the costs and downsides? Can my clinician help me understand it? And do I have the emotional capacity for this right now?You don’t have to pursue every possibility to prove you’re trying hard enough. Being selective is not giving up—it’s protecting your energy, finances, and wellbeing while making the best choices you can with the resources you have.

For more support, check out my ⁠Monthly Fertility Snail Mail letter subscription ⁠

Starting a new fertility supplement, medication, or protocol can bring a wave of doubt—especially when your body responds in an unexpected way. A changed temperature chart, delayed ovulation, spotting, nausea, or simply feeling different can send your mind into overdrive.In this episode, Laura explores how to navigate that spiral without letting late-night Googling or alarming online stories take over. Drawing from her own IVF experience, she shares why one unusual symptom or cycle isn’t proof that something has gone wrong—and how to tell the difference between gathering useful information and feeding anxiety.You’ll learn how to track symptoms clearly, what questions to ask your clinician or pharmacist, when to seek advice, and why you shouldn’t change prescribed treatment based on forum posts or AI answers. Most importantly, you’ll be reminded to treat yourself gently while you wait for clarity.Because your body isn’t a machine, and fertility journeys rarely follow a perfectly predictable path.

For more support, check out my ⁠Monthly Fertility Snail Mail letter subscription ⁠

A text message can arrive at exactly the wrong moment—especially when you’re navigating fertility challenges. A pregnancy announcement, baby shower invitation, intrusive question, or well-meaning check-in can stir up emotions you weren’t prepared for.In this supportive episode of *The Daily Try*, Lara reminds you that you don’t have to reply immediately—or at all. You’re allowed to put your phone down, take a breath, protect your emotional energy, and respond when you feel ready. Discover simple ways to acknowledge a message without overextending yourself, ask for space, keep your reply brief, or choose not to respond.Your time, attention, and energy are limited—and looking after yourself isn’t rude or selfish. Give yourself permission to reply later, respond simply, or say nothing until you’re in a better headspace.

For more support, check out my ⁠Monthly Fertility Snail Mail letter subscription ⁠

Fertility treatment can leave you feeling constantly on alert—checking symptoms, tracking apps, anticipating appointments, and preparing for the next result. But when every cramp, twinge, or wave of nausea feels like a clue, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by uncertainty.In this gentle Sunday episode of *The Daily Try*, Lara explores how to give your nervous system a much-needed pause. Drawing on her own IVF experience, she shares why symptoms—especially during treatment—aren’t always reliable indicators, and how progesterone once convinced her that a transfer had worked.This episode isn’t about fixing your feelings, decoding your body, or perfecting your fertility routine. It’s about creating a small moment of safety and calm. From enjoying a cup of tea while sitting down, to taking five slow breaths or noticing what you can see and hear around you, Lara offers simple ways to interrupt the constant sense of urgency—even if you only have 10 minutes.You can’t erase the uncertainty, but you can give yourself permission to rest within it.For more support, check out my ⁠Monthly Fertility Snail Mail letter subscription ⁠

Some days, even the simplest plans can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re navigating fertility treatment, recovering from procedures, managing medication side effects, or simply having a difficult day.In this episode of *The Daily Try*, Lara offers a gentle reminder: you’re allowed to cancel, change your plans, or take things at your own pace. Learn how to listen to your body without guilt, negotiate with yourself when a little connection or fresh air might help, and create an “escape plan” that gives you flexibility.Whether you choose a shorter catch-up, skip the part that feels hardest, or stay home for intentional rest, there’s no need to earn your downtime or prove that you’re coping. Tune in for reassurance, practical ideas, and permission to choose what feels most caring today.

For more support, check out my ⁠Monthly Fertility Snail Mail letter subscription ⁠