Grandparents can be amongst the hardest family members to find and buy gifts for within your family circle.It doesn’t have to be that way though and there are plenty of gifts you can consider that will give a lot of pleasure.

Photo Gifts

Photo gifts are often the presents most likely to bring a smile to a grandparent’s face.  They will love a picture of their children and grandchildren.  You can opt for a canvas, an album, a cushion, blanket or even a fridge magnet.  If you have a bit more of an expansive budget you could look at something like an electronic photoframe.  These gifts all take a little time to set up and they really will be cherished.  If they have much loved old photographs, consider getting one restored, so it can be enjoyed for many more years to come.

A practical gift

For many older people, living in their own home as long as possible is a key life goal.  To encourage that you can look at a selection of aids: this can be something like a reaching aid (think litter picker), a walking aid or specialist furniture.  Climbing the stairs can be problematic and in many cases a stairlift for the home would be very much appreciated.

An experience, meal or day out

Giving the gift of memories and experiences can be a good choice, especially when you can create that memory or enjoy that experience together. Buying a voucher for an afternoon tea or a meal out can be a great way of treating an older person.  It can also mean a guarantee of your time and your attention if you take them, maybe pick them up and drive them there, then enjoy the experience with them.  For those who are more active, they might like a crafting course to learn a new skill or develop an existing one, or maybe a footplate day out driving a steam train.

A DNA test

A DNA testing kit makes a great gift for those who are curious about their ethnic origins or family background (and selfishly, as offspring of the recipient, you can also benefit from their findings). But a note of caution: These kits occasionally reveal secrets that people may not want to know about (secret siblings or a whole different father!). If your grandparent is okay with the potential for unexpected revelations, and they wouldn’t be scared off by the inherent privacy concerns, the potential ancestral findings are compelling enough to justify the risk.

A donation to a favourite charity

Before you start getting into the baby-making mode, you may think that it seems pretty straightforward. However, for a lot of people, it requires more planning than just having unprotected sex with a partner.

As soon as you start to think about starting a family, you will probably have a tonne of questions. Is there anything you should do be you conceive? When should you try? What information is available for IVF or egg donation? How long does it take to conceive? There is no certain answer for when you should get pregnant or how easy it should be, and there are numerous things that can have an impact.

Let’s look at the impacts on your fertility below:

Your Odds Of Becoming Pregnant

On average a healthy couple in their twenties or early thirties has around twenty to thirty percent chance of getting pregnant per month. Though that may seem low, over a year that means your chances stand at seventy-five to eighty-five percent. However, it’s worth noting that this number goes down as you age.

What Affects Your Fertility?

There is a various different factor that affects your chance of conceiving. And, if any of the factors below stand out to your, or there is more than one it might be a good idea to speak to your practitioner about any steps you need to take before trying:

Age

This is one of the biggest factors. Fertility decreases over time, hence, the phrase ‘the clock is ticking’. In your thirties, you have around a twenty percent chance every month by the time you are in your forties that drops to five or less.

Smoking

Everyone is aware that smoking is bad for an unborn child, but did you know that it could help if you stopped before you try for a baby rather than waiting to get pregnant to quit? Smoking can also affect fertility in men, so if you are both smokers, it’s best if you try to stop smoking together.

Weight

If you are overweight or underweight it can lead to fertility problems. Being overweight can lead to too much estrogen, which can affect the reproductive cycle. And being underweight can cause ovulation to stop altogether. You should aim to be in a healthy weight range before trying for a baby.

Health Problems

PCOS, Endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and abnormalities of the uterus can all reduce fertility. Other illnesses, if left untreated, including thyroid disease, sickle cell anemia, and kidney disease could also impact pregnancy odds.

Irregular Menstrual Cycles

When you start to think about trying for a baby, it’s a good idea to start tracking your menstrual cycle. Whether it’s down to PCOS, weight problems, or medications you take, it can be hard to figure out when you are ovulating if you have an irregular cycle. It can make it feel like pot luck for conceiving.

This short guide should help you to start thinking about your fertility and the impact your lifestyle can have on it. If you are trying for a baby, make sure you start to learn about the best ways you can support your fertility.