The Daily Try

You don’t need a mini degree in IVF to advocate for yourself.When you’re trying to conceive or navigating fertility treatment, it can feel as though you’re expected to understand every acronym, hormone level, medication, test result and embryo grade. Being informed can be empowering—but constantly researching and decoding your care is exhausting, too.In this episode, Lara explores how to stay involved in your fertility journey without feeling responsible for knowing all the answers. She discusses why test results don’t always point to one immediate conclusion, the importance of context and expert guidance, and how lifestyle factors may play a role in fertility.Most importantly, you’ll learn practical ways to get the clarity you deserve: prepare questions before appointments, ask clinicians to slow down or explain things differently, request a clear step-by-step plan, take notes or record conversations where appropriate, and bring someone along for support.You are allowed to ask basic questions. You are allowed to say, “I don’t understand.” And you don’t have to navigate this alone. Your role isn’t to become the expert—it’s to make sure you understand what’s happening, why it’s happening and what comes next.

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

In this episode of *The Daily Try*, Lara explores the potential impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on hormones, egg and sperm health, and fertility. Inspired by the documentary *The Plastic Detox*, she shares simple, budget-friendly swaps you can make at home to reduce plastic exposure—starting in the kitchen.Discover why wooden cooking utensils, stainless-steel or cast-iron cookware, and reusable glass or stainless-steel water bottles may be worth considering, plus practical tips for making changes gradually without adding unnecessary financial pressure.Whether you’re trying to conceive, preparing for pregnancy, or simply looking after your long-term health, this episode offers approachable steps to help you feel more informed and empowered on your journey.For more support, check out my ⁠Monthly Fertility Snail Mail letter subscription ⁠

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Should you toss your plastic cooking utensils - https://hoopsy.com/should-you-toss-your-plastic-kitchen-utensils/

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Choosing the right fertility support can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to navigate it alone.In this episode of *The Daily Try*, Lara speaks with Disha from OM Fertility about how to find the right clinician, clinic, nurse, or coach for your unique situation. They explore the impact of insurance coverage, the pros and cons of high-volume fertility clinics, communication challenges, and how independent fertility professionals can help you understand your options.You’ll also hear about fertility coaching versus medically trained fertility nurse practitioners, the potential of outside monitoring, medical tourism, and how to weigh financial, emotional, medical, and lifestyle considerations when exploring treatment—including IVF, IUI, and early-intervention options.Most importantly, this conversation encourages you to look beyond generic reviews and seek guidance from people who understand your specific needs. Whether you’re just starting to investigate your options or considering treatment closer to home or abroad, this episode offers practical insights to help you find the path of least resistance.

Find out more about Disha and OM Fertility.

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

Questions like “Do you have children?” can feel anything but casual when you’re trying to conceive, navigating IVF, grieving a miscarriage, or facing fertility challenges. In this episode, Lara explores why these seemingly innocent questions can feel so intrusive—and reminds you that you never owe anyone your private story, medical history, or an explanation.Discover ways to respond that protect your energy, whether that’s a simple “no,” “not yet,” “we’re trying,” or “that’s a complicated question for me.” Lara shares how having a prepared response can help you avoid rambling, second-guessing, or feeling pressured to educate people about your journey.Your answer is yours to choose—and you’re allowed to change the subject, set a boundary, or say nothing more. You are not defined by whether you have children, and you don’t need to give anyone the answer they expect.

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

A new month doesn’t always feel like a fresh start when you’re trying to conceive. September can mean another cycle to track, appointments to plan, supplements to remember, and emotions to navigate—and you don’t have to greet it feeling hopeful, organised, or excited.In this gentle episode of *The Daily Try*, Lara offers reassurance that you’re allowed to meet the month exactly as you are: tired, angry, hopeful, numb, practical, or somewhere in between. Instead of putting pressure on yourself to make big changes or believe “this is your month,” consider taking things one step at a time and choosing something small that supports *you*.Lara shares her own new workout habit, reminds you that self-care doesn’t have to mean becoming a whole new person, and guides you through a simple square breathing exercise to help calm those overwhelming or “meh” moments.Whatever September holds, you don’t have to have it all figured out today. Take a deep breath, be kind to yourself, and begin wherever you are.For more support, check out my ⁠Monthly Fertility Snail Mail letter subscription ⁠

When your period arrives while you’re trying to conceive, it can feel like more than just the start of a new cycle—it can feel like the end of a month of hope. In this compassionate episode of *The Daily Try*, Lara reminds you that disappointment, anger, sadness, frustration, or even acceptance are all valid responses.You don’t have to rush into planning the next cycle, analysing what went wrong, or figuring out what to do differently. Sometimes, the kindest thing you can do is pause, rest, and give yourself space to feel. Whether that means a quiet walk, comfort food, a call with a friend, or simply an afternoon nap, taking care of yourself isn’t giving up—it’s part of the journey.Your period doesn’t mean you’ve failed, and you’re not alone in finding this experience difficult. This episode offers a gentle reminder to be patient with yourself, honour how you feel today, and trust that tomorrow may feel a little easier.For more support, check out my ⁠Monthly Fertility Snail Mail letter subscription ⁠

Fertility treatment can make life feel like one long waiting room: waiting to ovulate, for transfer day, for the two-week wait to end, or for the test you hope will change everything. In this episode, we explore what it means to put your life on hold while waiting for “the next thing”—and how easily that pattern can take over.A disrupted routine and a recent move spark a powerful realization: many of the things we postpone until pregnancy, treatment, or a positive result could still be enjoyed today. While not every choice is treatment-compatible, there may be more freedom than you think to make plans, try something new, and keep living in the present.If you’re exhausted from counting down the days or telling yourself, “I’ll do that after X happens,” this episode offers a gentle reminder: your life is happening now, too. Take what feels right for you, and consider one small thing you can do today—not someday.For more support, check out my ⁠Monthly Fertility Snail Mail letter subscription ⁠

Fertility journeys can feel isolating—especially when the people around you don’t understand the appointments, protocols, injections, scans, or the emotional rollercoaster of the two-week wait.In this episode, Lara explores why finding “your people” can make such a difference: those who have been through IVF or are trying to conceive themselves, and who can simply say, “Yes, I felt that too.” They’re the friends who understand without explanations, offer reassurance after a difficult appointment, and know exactly what it’s like to be in the trenches.Discover practical ways to build your support network, from Facebook groups and Reddit communities to conversations in clinic waiting rooms and taking the brave step of swapping numbers with someone you connect with. These friendships don’t have to last forever to be meaningful—they can support you for exactly the season you need them.If you’re feeling alone on your fertility journey, this episode is your reminder to reach out, put yourself out there, and find someone who truly gets it.For more support, check out my ⁠Monthly Fertility Snail Mail letter subscription ⁠

If you’ve ever felt embarrassed for getting your hopes up during your fertility journey, this episode is for you.Lara explores the painful self-judgment that can follow a negative test, miscarriage, or failed treatment cycle—when you replay every moment of hope and tell yourself you should have known better. Maybe you imagined a due date, chose a baby name, noticed every symptom, or told someone your news early. None of that makes you foolish. It makes you hopeful.Hope is often what carries us through the uncertainty, the procedures, the waiting, and the odds that can feel overwhelmingly stacked against us. In this compassionate episode, Lara shares her own experience of celebrating an early positive pregnancy test, only to miscarry days later, and reminds you that caring deeply is not something to be ashamed of.Wherever you are in your fertility journey, this is an invitation to treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend. You were never silly for believing it might work. You were simply allowing yourself to hope.

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

When you’re trying to conceive, every choice can feel loaded: Should you eat the muffin? Take the stairs? Exercise, rest, meal-prep—or do something differently? It’s easy to believe that one small decision could determine whether treatment works or a pregnancy continues.In this episode of *The Daily Try*, we explore the difference between what’s within your control and what isn’t—and why trying to control everything can become an exhausting burden. Lara shares a personal IVF experience involving a hot walk, dehydration and the fear that one unexpected moment had affected her embryo transfer.You’ll be reminded that fertility isn’t a test of perfection. One food, workout or imperfect day is unlikely to tell the whole story, and even medical results are only part of a much bigger picture. Learn how to loosen the pressure, challenge self-blame and make space for uncertainty while still caring for yourself.

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