18 Te Modern Family New Families & Family Health
Fertility femtech N
atural cycles may be well known as a natural method of contraception, but women around the
world use it while trying to conceive as well. Paired with the Oura ring, which takes temperature readings (basal body temperature rises following ovulation), its AI algorithm helps women identify their most fertile days and confirm ovulation. Another piece of fertility femtech
helping women better understand their cycle is the mira device. Tis is a digital hormone monitor with urine tests to read the luteinising hormone and follicle-stimulating hormones (which peak just before ovulation), as well as oestrogen and progesterone measures (both key for pregnancy). It also has an AI algorithm to help women understand their cycles. If you’re wondering whether to
invest, or whether they really work, two women share their stories of using these device as they try to conceive.
The Oura ring with Natural Cycles “Using my Oura ring was an integral part of my conception journey. I initially purchased it in January 2023 to track my sleep, overall health and monitor for signs of perimenopause, and it became invaluable in helping
during pregnancy as my excessively elevated heart rate led to additional checks and a discovery of severe anaemia.” Samantha Burgess, 39
Two women reveal how they used health tech to support their fertility journey while trying to conceive. Words: Grace Davidson
me understand my cycle. By pairing it with Natural Cycles, I could monitor key patterns in my temperature and ‘readiness scores’, which helped me pinpoint ovulation and optimise timing naturally. “In February 2023, my partner
and I decided to try for a baby and the awareness gave me a sense of empowerment during what can often feel like an uncertain time. I conceived in just three cycles of using the two apps and the first time of trying at the right time in the cycle. Tis resulted in the birth of my son in January 2024. “My Oura ring was also invaluable
The mira device “I have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), so always knew conceiving would be a challenge — largely because my cycle was so irregular. I was really proactive in seeking help with fertility, and had started the process before I bought a mira device. “Part of the process involved taking
various drugs, then going in for a scan 10-14 days into my cycle so they could monitor whether or not I was ovulating. After a few months of nothing appearing on the scans, but feeling within myself the physical symptoms of ovulation, I decided to finally buy the mira to get a better sense of my own data. “Te first cycle I used it for,
alongside a dose of letrozole [which helps stimulate ovulation], I could see my body attempting to ovulate far later in my cycle than I was being scanned. So the next month, when I was once again told 12 days into my cycle that there were no signs of ovulation, I showed the medical team the data and pushed for another scan a week later. Lo and behold, there was an egg ready to be released. Nine months later, my daughter was born. “In a world where there are
thousands of self-styled gurus, and specialists claiming to have the answer to solving infertility, it’s very easy to be taken advantage of. Tis was certainly something I fell into while we were trying. But I was relieved that the mira device was rooted in science and gave me such robust data, which empowered me to push for more tailored medical care. “I’d certainly recommend it,
IMAGE: THE MIRA DEVICE
but with the caveat that it can’t fix infertility. It can, however, give you access to invaluable information about your body.” Marthe de Ferrer, 30
IMAGE: NATURAL CYCLES IMAGE: THE OURA RING
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