After trying to conceive (TTC) for three years, Maria*, who lives in Hampshire, England, decided to give IVF (in-vitro fertilization) a shot.
Unfortunately, her higher-than-average BMI (body mass index) didn’t qualify her for IVF treatment at a fertility clinic. (ICYDK, BMI indicates whether you are of a healthy weight or not.)
That’s because the NHS (National Health Service), a government-funded healthcare system in the United Kingdom, has a strict set of criteria for anyone attempting IVF. You’ll need to be within the healthy range of 19-25 for at least half a year to be eligible for NHS funding of IVF treatment.
Just as Maria was about to give up, her husband ordered the Applicator for one last try, which turned out to be a success. Read on for her personal experience with the twoplus Applicator and why she believes it takes to hands to clap on your conception journey.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is not intended as medical advice.
*Name was changed to protect privacy.
Maria Opens Up About How She Got Pregnant With The Applicator
Interview responses were edited for clarity.
Q: Hi, Maria! Tell us a bit about yourself! How old are you and your partner, and what are your occupations? Where do you live in the U.K.?
A: I’m 31, and my husband is 37. I’m a nurse, and my husband is in the HR [Human Resources] department. We are from southeast England (Hampshire).
Q: What were some of your fertility struggles before the pregnancy?
A: We struggled for three years and have been under a fertility clinic, but they couldn’t help us. As my BMI is higher than 30, they didn’t want to support us with IVF.
Q: Were you diagnosed with any medical conditions relating to fertility by a licensed healthcare professional, and what tests did you do?
A: I wasn’t [diagnosed with any medical conditions]. I measured my BBT (basal body temperature) and took ovulation tests every month.
I saw I had a short luteal phase*, meaning low progesterone [levels]. But the fertility clinic didn’t want to help with this. So we went to see a private gynecologist in London, and he prescribed me some progesterone pills to support my 2 phases last year.
*A note from twoplus: Luteal phase refers to the period between ovulation and the first day of menstruation. It’s usually about 14 days long. A short luteal phase means that the body doesn’t produce enough progesterone, a reproductive hormone that’s typically created after ovulation. A lower-than-normal progesterone load can increase the risk of early miscarriages.
Q: What have you tried in your TTC journey before using twoplus Fertility?
A: Ovulation test, BBT, progesterone pills, [and] acupuncture.
Q: What led you to purchase the Applicator?
A: I think it was my husband’s idea. He just told me one day, when we wanted to stop trying, [that] he wanted to give it one last go before we stopped. And he ordered the twoplus kit with three syringes [aka the Applicators] and pots [read: collection cups].
Q: You’ve mentioned that you’ve been trying with your husband for almost three years. Congratulations on getting pregnant with the twoplus Applicator! Is this your first successful pregnancy?
A: Yes! That was the first time we managed to get pregnant! I was so, so surprised I couldn't even describe it!
Q: What did you like/dislike about the Applicator?
A: Everything was pretty straightforward; the instructions were good, the package was quite cute, and I believe there’s nothing to dislike.
Q: We saw that you used the Applicator before and during ovulation and got pregnant afterward! Did you adopt any lifestyle changes to improve your odds of conceiving?
A: We used [the] Applicator one day before and on the day of ovulation itself. The only thing I don’t know that helped is that I stayed in bed with the Applicator inside me for 1 hour and relaxed.
I wanted to ensure that everything stayed in one place. The instruction said you could move around, but I didn’t want to risk it.
Q: Would you recommend the Applicator to other people who may have difficulties with natural conception?
A: Definitely, it’s worth trying. Because if you want something, you will do anything to give yourself a chance to make it work!
Q: If you go back to the beginning of your TTC journey, what would you have done differently? Also, what would you suggest to other couples who are TTC?
A: I would probably advise people to relax and care for themselves. I took part in yoga and Pilates. I swim a lot, and my husband and I go for acupuncture together.
The whole journey we did as a team made us stronger. It is never one person’s fault; one person cannot make a baby as it’s always teamwork. So you need to take care of yourself and your partner in this journey.
Let the Twoplus Applicator Boost Your Chances of Conceiving
A BMI above 30 should not be a stumbling block on your way to pregnancy.
If you’ve been struggling to conceive like Maria, you may need to try unconventional ways to improve your odds of getting pregnant. Enter: twoplus Fertility.
With our affordable, natural, and less intrusive home conception kits, you can take the first step towards realizing your dream of parenthood today with your partner.