My inadvertent fertility adventure could have happened to any woman that basically put the whole notion of conception on hold and just focused on taking excellent care of herself.

If you enjoy irony, read on.

If you are looking for conception strategies, read on. I highly recommend this one:

..get a life and start obsessing about your own health and wellness forget about having a baby.

It's a kind of universal, reverse, sabotage, technique I accidentally stumbled upon at 36, shortly after I was gainfully employed and managed to fit into a size 5 dress.

So, depending upon which side of the fertility fence you're on--whether the grass in greener in the woman's yard that has a toddler in it--my 'account' could be either a warning or inspiration!

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Accidental Fertility should be a warning to women that are not ready for a baby and a reasonably strong case for hopeful women that have been trying unsuccessfully for a baby.

My story is true and credible. It could have happened to just about any woman. Penicillin was discovered by accident and so was my own fertility.

I was not planning to have a baby--I began to study natural, herbal remedies as a hobby when I was about 16, worrying about everything from my complexion breaking out to water weight. Over the counter pills and topical creams just did not seem to work with my body chemistry. I found I had a lot more success using natural, herbal teas and supplements.

For years I managed everything from my weight to my monthly mood swings with herbs, diet and exercise. I seemed to always have my nose in my Herb Book which I still consult regularly. In fact it is still in heavy circulation and can be found in every Health section of book stores. In addition I have collected a few others but my Herb Bible's my favourite.

I had spent the majority of my life managing birth control and really trying to avoid conception at all costs. Even after I was married my husband and I were busy getting through university then trying to establish our careers and having a baby was the last thing on our minds.

At 36, I decided it was time to take a stand. My husband, 9 years older than myself had never expressed a desire or need to have children and nor did I for that matter but my age brought me to the inevitable, biological/gender cross road and there was to be no turning back.

After a philosophical reflection and much procrastination, I arrived at this juncture:

" to be..or not to be, a mother..that is the question."

I began contemplating my destiny mortality, biology, fertility, weight, measurements, income potential, mobility, (the most noble and virtuous of preponderances).

Ultimately, the universe delivered this verdict--

"if I never have a child I can not guarantee that I would or would not regret the decision..but, if I did have a child I am sure I would not regret having a child."

After sequestering myself for days wrestling with the enormous responsibility of this question my personal jury delivered this verdict yet I still felt that the case of me having a baby was no closer to resolution--it was 50/50 and I felt like I stood before a judge that would not hand down a sentence, but simply dismissed the case due to a hung jury. Do I appeal? I wondered.

I did something radical. I consulted my husband. He said something profoundly memorable, "it's up to you. Your choice--I'm happy either way."

I took immediate action. I did nothing. I suppose you could regret having a child.

Needless to say I left it to the expert--the universe, come what may. I was 36 years old with one tube. My 2 year depo-provera prescription had expired and so I did not see myself as a fertility Goddess--I mean statistically speaking I wasn't exactly a walking ovulater in a spermatazoan mine field. I felt I could safely assume that at my age, under the circumstances I would be one of those nice married career woman statistics for whom motherhood was simply not in the cards--not that we would not have loved to be blessed, but not to be I suppose.

So, I went in peace--straight out to buy a size 5 dancing dress for the district Christmas party and I might add, a whack of fat grabbers and herbs from my herbalist! I even met that week with my personal trainer. You know, business as usual. I did all the things that I never minded being hated for by my female cohorts, (alas, those were the days).

In fact--I put the whole notion of fertility right out of my mind. I did not practise anybirth control nor did I think about the possibilities of conception. I lead my busy, demanding life as a tripple type A teacher and wife. I plunged myself into a weight loss, diet and exercise routine and became vigilant about what I ate, drank and closely montitored my intake of herbal, supplements. I followed a regime that my herablist precscribed and a diet that my personal trainer recommended for toning and weight loss.

Savour the irony..within 3 weeks of deciding I would just carry on, happily--I went for a pregnancy test because I was late, and lo and behold I was looking down at the temperary, perky breasts of a mother to be.

I went to the gym to tone up--I ate the right food to stay thin--imagine my horror when I realised I had inadvertently created a fertility monster!!!!! I began to research my diet and learned that the supplements and food I was eating were loaded with baby-making properties! In my decision to just be healthy and fit I had inadvertently turned myself into a fertility Goddess--everything I ate primed the canvas for conception--I was a hot bed, (so to speak), of baby making potential!

Now, upon reflection.. motherhood, no matter how non-linear the path to get there--I can say, I've been there, but can I say, I should have done that?

Well, considering I am still there and I'm told I will be for, well, say, the rest of my life--ummm, yes,I can say without fear of ridicule, contradiction or regret that yes, unequivocally--I should have done that.

Well, my suspicions, rather instincts, were right. My return home from the hospital was followed by some crippling, postpartum depression--but, did I suffer buyers remorse? Well, no more than anyone making a huge life changing, high risk for return life investment does--but, overall--no regrets--that is not to say I want to repeat the performance or add to my investment--suffice to say, I'm glad it's over with and I'm glad it's done.

It was and is a breathtakingly, sincere sensation--not soon, (not ever) to be forgotten--I highly recommend morphine, the epidural and banishing any catholic nurses from your room--also make damn sure you have a few 6 packs of formula, even if you are going to breast feed because newborns are insatiable vipers, (in diapers)--oh, and if you have a boy and someone comes around asking if you want your boy circumcised definitely say yes but make sure you get a hit of morphine, (or whatever drug's a la cart) because that crying's hell on the nerves.

Other than that--yes, I'd have to say motherhood was a swell decision. In fact, some days I shudder to think about where I would be if I hadn't outgrown that size 5 dress,(well split it actually. I did not go lightly)--my little Billy boy is pretty sweet. So, regarding the often, questionable matter of, to be or not to be........ a Mother? I'd recommend it to every ambivalent, well-adjusted, woman feeling social or biological pressure and something remotely, resembling maternal instincts, to try it--at least, once.