Oh Baby! Cost-Cutting Help for Couples Trying to Conceive

The changing age of the American family is a trend that has showed no sign of slowing. An estimated 11 million US couples are currently planning or trying to conceive, with birth rates for 35-44 year olds at their highest in more than 3 decades. While this decision is common, it's not without risk. 1 in 6 couples today will experience a delay or difficulty, and experts say it can take couples anywhere from 6 months to a year to conceive. It may take even longer for older couples, and that means more doctors' appointments, fertility tests, ovulation kits and home pregnancy tests -- all of which can really add up. There are ways to cut costs, like buying ovulation, fertility and pregnancy tests in bulk. Also, a first-of-its-kind refillable pregnancy test called "Confirm Clearly" has just been released to the market. With a refillable test, starter kits are about 15 dollars with refills less than 5 dollars each. So 8 tests will cost only about 45 dollars as opposed to the 150 dollars it would cost to buy traditional tests. This is just one of the many ways couples can save money. Cutting costs will also save you down the road. Once the happy day arrives, there will be diapers, formula and other costs coming your way, so saving as soon as possible is smart. Produced for Confirm Clearly

Work Hazards Effect Fertility

It's been documented that environmental toxins can have an impact on fertility, for both men and women.  Some new research looks at specific jobs that might be harmful if you're trying to get pregnant.

We have found that there is a tendency for farmers to have high levels of DNA damage and things such as mechanics maybe who are perhaps exposed to high levels of solvents," he said.

Some workers more at risk of fertility, researchers say. 06/10/2006. ABC News Online

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