Although many women “struggle” to get pregnant when they want, you’re not even considered “infertile” until over a year of trying. Every month a woman of average health has only a 20% chance of conceiving so hang in there and be patient. Also, it’s fairly common to have trouble getting pregnant the second time around even though it may have been easy with the first one.

Here Are 10 Tips For Fertility:

austin-moms-blog-fertility-tips

1) Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar

I start my day with a shot of Bragg’s organic apple cider vinegar. It tastes like fermented ogre ass-sweat, so I add a splash of Trader Joe’s organic cherry juice or a splash of their green smoothie, but you can use any kind of juice you choose.  I also add flax oil and probiotics sometimes. You only need about 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar to do the trick. According to my research, apple cider vinegar helps to balance out the PH in your (ahem) so your husband’s baby makers have a fighting chance. It creates a swimmer friendly environment.

Infertility shot

2) Raspberry Leaf Tea

I also drink organic raspberry leaf tea every night. It has a multitude of nutritional benefits and is rumored to help with cysts, endometriosis, and increase overall uterine health. Add a little bit of raw, unfiltered, local honey if you want to sweeten it and fight allergies at the same time. You can read about Raspberry Leaf Tea benefits HERE.

3) Paleo or “Caveman” Diet

What is “paleo”? Eat like a caveman would, by only eating what can be hunted, fished, or gathered. Meats, fish, fruits, veggies, etc. No dairy, gluten, or processed foods and eat organic, grass fed options as much as possible. Try paleomom.com or download paleo apps for recipes.

This is not only good advice for hopeful mammas, but for preggo mammas, and all mammas. A toxin-free lifestyle is a crucial step towards conception so clean it up, ladies!

Eggs, organic tomatoes, blueberry corncakes, agave nectar
Eggs, organic tomatoes, blueberry corncakes, agave nectar

4) Acupuncture!

Do not underestimate the power of acupuncture. Even if you can’t believe that sticking needles in your skin clears your pathways and increases energy flow, believe in the benefit of laying flat on a warm table in the dark, alone for 50 minutes listening to music that seems to be the soundtrack for your life. Your thoughts flow freely during this time and you’re able to reconnect with your body and reenergize. However; if you choose to add this to your fertility plan, choose someone with all the right letters behind their name and do your research.

5) Abdominal Massage

Use organic coconut oil or safflower oil and using two fingers, start at your belly button and move slowly down towards your ovaries and back up to your belly button in a clockwise motion. This increases blood flow to the reproductive area. The pros will add pressure near your femural artery in order to send blood flow to the uterus, but I don’t trust myself with that one yet. You can find great videos for femural artery and ab massages online. I would also suggest seeing a professional 1-2x a month at the beginning and middle of your cycle.

6) Slow Your Roll

Slow down on the workouts, but don’t quit entirely. Walking briskly at an incline, lifting light weights, pilates, yoga, Barre3, etc. are all great stress relieving workouts for mothers-to-be. If you can get outside it’s even better. Being outside is called “earthing” to us quasi hippies. I created a playlist that I can sing to and I love walking around the countryside as the sun sets. Connecting with nature is good for the soul and being with a friend is an added bonus!

7) Castor Oil Packs

You can get castor oil inexpensively at any health store or pharmacy, but you can also order prepared castor oil packs from the internet or Chinese health stores. You need castor oil, flannel squares, plastic wrap, and a heating pad. This was recommended by my acupuncturist. Apparently castor oil has century-old benefits for a plethora of health issues including infertility. It’s benefits include detoxification before conception, improved egg quality, increased uterine health, fallopian tube health, and healthier ovulation patterns. The process consists of soaking a flannel square in castor oil, laying it across your bare pelvis, and covering with plastic wrap and then a heating pad.

8) Flower Essences (don’t roll your eyes)Hibiscus Flower Essences

Hibiscus Flower essences can be dropped into your water or tea up to 4x a day to clear your chakra aka an energy point or node in the subtle body .

9) Massage

Get a full body Swedish massage the day before, on, or after ovulation. We’ll call this the “Relaxate, Ovulate, and Procreate” massage. Wild Orchid Salon offers 50% off a spa service to Austin Moms Blog members.

10) Get a bad ass fertility doctor!

If you’ve been trying for more than 12 months, you should see a specialist. All 9 of the things I’ve listed above are fantastic on their own if you’re either new to trying or you’ve had minor difficulties, but if you’re like me and doctor after doctor has given the, “This could be a long haul, but bare with us” speech, then combine the above options with Western medicine and get yourself someone that knows what they’re doing.

What tricks will you try to increase fertility?

4 COMMENTS

  1. Great list! I’d like to add that we tried for 5 years to get pregnant. We moved to Austin and I wound up quitting my stressful job so that was 1 plus. 2nd plus was I had thrown out my back , so a friend referred me to her chiropractor. I started going pretty regularly. .. like 2-3 times a week. That was June 2012. Fast forward to September 2012 I found out I was 4 weeks pregnant. It was a complete shock because I was at the point of writing off every being able to get pregnant. I totally attribute it to being less stressed and going to a chiropractor. It helped realign my insides and all over well being. Now I have a happy healthy 18 month old. Best of luck to yall! 🙂

  2. Oh I forgot to add, that I was also tracking my ovulation and using the ovulation test strips to help pin point the day I was ovulating.

  3. Great tips and I can totally relate. I struggled for three years to get pregnant. Luckily I found Dr. Silverberg as well and had polyps, fibroids and my endometriosis removed by him. Did one cycle of IVF and am expecting our first child in just three weeks! I hope you have a successful outcome in your journey toward pregnancy!

  4. Just want to say that this was one of the most succinct and helpful lists I’ve read in all 3 years my husband and I have been trying. I was recently diagnosed with Endo and just had surgery. I’ve also found a new and improved acupuncturist. While reading your article several parts made me chuckle and that humor was well appreciated and a welcoming change to the tone. Thanks so much for lifting my spirits and giving me new things to try! Just had some ACV and ordering raspberry leaf tea as we speak =)

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