Today we have a guest post from Laura Erlich.
Laura Erlich, MTOM, LAc, co-founded LA Herbs and Acupuncture in 2007. Her areas of specialty include women’s health, fertility enhancement (with or without ART), conscious conception, prenatal and post-partum care, gynecological disorders and menopause. Ask Laura your questions on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laura-Erlich-MTOM-LAc-Doula-of-La-Herbs-and-Acupuncture/163573970364246
With so many women and their partners waiting until later in life to start families, itʼs no wonder that both holistic and allopathic treatments for fertility are on the rise. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which encompasses acupuncture, herbs, nutrition and lifestyle recommendations, has been widely acknowledged for itʼs impact on both the male and female reproductive systems.
TCM can be used as a stand alone method to help prepare the body for pregnancy and encourage the development of healthy follicles (eggs) and sperm, or in conjunction with Western treatments, such as IUI and IVF.
When selecting an acupuncturist for conception preparation, or integrative infertility treatments, it is important to choose a practitioner who specializes in this area. While treating infertility is within the scope of all licensed acupuncturists, not all possess the advanced training necessary to treat alongside reproductive endocrinologists (fertility specialists), which is vital to a successful outcome. Knowing how to alter treatments and herbal protocols based on the phase of the menstrual cycle, medications the patient might be taking, or procedures they may be recovering from or preparing for, is an essential component of TCM fertility care.
Some of the ways that TCM can enhance fertility include: stress reduction/ nervous system balancing, hormone regulation, which includes regulating the menstrual cycle, increased follicle count and reduction of FSH levels (for IVF), and the treatment or management of such conditions as endometriosis and PCOS. In men, TCM can help to increase sperm count, motility and morphology. Letʼs take a closer look at each of
these areas:
Stress and the nervous system
Our nervous system, which is comprised of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves, is responsible for everything that takes place in our body. Without the direction of the brain, we would not be able to breathe, have a heartbeat or function on any physical level. The hypothalamus, part of the mid-brain, is responsible for regulating all of the bodyʼs systems, which it does by sending signals to the pituitary gland, which in turn tells different parts of the body what to do. You may hear this referred to as an ʻaxisʼ, such as the Hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis (HPOA), or the hypothalamus-pituitaryadrenal
axis (HPAA).
The HPA axis is a feedback loop which triggers the brain to release stress hormones into the bloodstream when we are under threat. It is a system designed with the most primal need in mind: SURVIVAL. The problem in our modern society is that the perception of a threat is often relentless, from pressure at work, to financial worries, family dilemmas, even traffic, all lead to the sometimes relentless release of these
hormones into our blood stream. In the short-term, these hormones, which include cortisol, adrenalin and epinephrine, are very useful, because without them, we would not be able to escape danger quickly enough to survive. In the long run, however, they can be damaging to the body, because in the presence of these stress hormones, our reproductive hormones go on the back burner. This function is, once again, set in place for our survival. It is simply not in the best interest of our bodies to reproduce during times of prolonged distress.
TCM is able to act on the nervous system in several ways. The insertion of fine, sterile needles along certain energy lines (meridians) in the body, initiates the release of endorphins, which are the antidote to stress hormones. Regular visits to the acupuncturist will allow the brain to come out of itʼs relentless state of stress and begin to “turn on” the “rest and relax” part of the nervous system, or the parasympathetic nervous system. It is from this place of relaxation, or reduced stress, that the body can begin to turn itʼs attention to things like reproduction and healing.
Hormone Regulation
Once the body is able to begin to unwind from the effects of ongoing stress, many systems that were once underperforming will simply regulate themselves. For example, this is why we often see couples become pregnant right after theyʼve adopted a child. Depending on a womanʼs age, and the severity of the condition causing infertility, a short period of acupuncture, gentle herbal tonification and dietary modifications may be all she needs to conceive on her own.
As an integrative practitioner myself, I am of the belief that any woman over the age of 35 who is trying to conceive for a period of 6 months, should consider a workup with a fertility specialist. Although it will cost a bit out of pocket, I have found time and again that women who try and go through their regular OB/GYN for this type of workup often end up, after months of frustration, turning to a fertility specialist and spending the money after all. This kind of baseline workup allows both the doctor and the
acupuncturist to target treatments to the specific needs of the individual. Some of the things that one should consider when seeing a fertility specialist include: blood work on day 2 or 3 of the menstrual cycle to check FSH, Estradiol and LH, an ultrasound to measure the number of follicles present in the antral part of the ovary, a hysterosalpingogram (HSG), to make sure that the uterine cavity is free of fibroids or scar tissue, and that the fallopian tubes are open, and a day 21 progesterone test to make sure that levels are high enough to support pregnancy. Your doctor may, of course, wish to run other tests, but these are some of the most common, and most important baseline tests.
An acupuncturist will use other means for diagnosing the individual, including tongue and pulse diagnosis, but it is always helpful to have western diagnosis to corroborate a treatment plan. Once a diagnosis (both eastern and western) is established, the acupuncturist will begin using herbs and acupuncture to correct the imbalances in the system that may be causing infertility. Herbal medicine is a very important part of the TCM practitioners tool chest, and they shouldnʼt be a shied away from by fertility patients. All of the herbs that come into the US are inspected by the FDA, and most acupuncturists are careful to use pharmaceutical grade herbs that are free of heavy metals and pesticides. Nevertheless, herbs are a form of medicine, and one should never self-prescribe, or take herbs from anyone other than a licensed individual who specializes in their area of need, to avoid any adverse reactions.
For the older patient, the pressure of time can feel very overwhelming. It is important to note that as your body unwinds from ongoing stressors, and as the acupuncture and herbs work to correct the bodyʼs hormonal imbalances and bring more blood flow to the reproductive organs, that oneʼs “reproductive” age actually begins to reverse itself. Through TCM, one becomes reproductively younger. This is not to say that every woman who receives TCM treatments will conceive on her own, however, agreeing to 3-6 months of treatment prior to utilizing assisted reproductive technologies like IVF, can dramatically increase the odds of pregnancy and live birth.
For women who suffer from specific conditions, such as PCOS and endometriosis, working with a TCM fertility specialist can help to regulate the symptoms that come along with these conditions. Some examples are regulation of blood sugar and ovulatory frequency for the PCOS patient, and a reduction in painful menstruation and heavy bleeding for the endometriosis patient. While these conditions, depending on severity, may still require western medical intervention, they can be dramatically assisted by TCM.
Male Infertility
Roughly 1/3 of all infertility cases are attributed to male factor infertility. Just like women, menʼs reproductive health is affected by high stress levels, which can in turn be positively impacted by TCM treatments. Spermatogenesis, or sperm production, is process that takes place over about 90 days. Therefore, a 3 month period of herbal medicine, acupuncture and other lifestyle modifications to reduce stress levels can help improve sperm count and quality.
Self Care
Finally, it is important to touch on the importance of self care and itʼs role in the healing process. Changing oneʼs body, whether for the purpose of conception, or healing from dis-ease, requires changes in oneʼs daily life and practices. Of vital importance is finding time for peace and relaxation every day. There is no more time for excuses about being too busy or too tired for self care. If having a child is your priority, then parenthood begins now, with your thoughts, your dietary choices, your sleep and your relationships. Take time to clear out old resentments and grudges. Make peace with those around you, and shed yourself of relationships, both personal and professional, that arenʼt working for you anymore. Take 30 seconds to breathe deeply when stress beckons, and take the time each day to meditate, walk, do yoga, or some type of activity that involves quieting your mind and engaging your breath.
May this journey to parenthood lead you to your greatest moments of self discovery, and the beautiful family of which you dream.
The Mirena coil is a flexible plastic IUD with Progestogen (synthetic progesterone) that is a popular intrauterine contraceptive choice for many women, but if you have used one and now want to have a baby, you might be wondering how long it generally takes after your Mirena removal to fall pregnant.
Most OB/GYN’s usually say that it takes a up to twelve months before your body returns to its regular cycle and all effects of the synthetic hormones have disappeared, but if you have good fertility most people report falling pregnant within about six months. Continue reading “How Long After Mirena Removal Does It Take To Fall Pregnant?” »
There are usually many reasons why falling pregnant is becoming more difficult today than it was for our mothers, many that we know about including diet and lifestyle, but there is increasing evidence that the amount of sleep that we get can also affect our fertility.
So can having a bad night’s sleep really stop our chances of having a baby?
Yes according to the National Sleep Foundation which says lack of sleep affects our health, our ability to function normally, and even our fertility. Continue reading “Sleep & Fertility: Can More Sleep Really Help You Get Pregnant?” »
Gender Selection - Girl Baby
The Different Methods for Conceiving a Girl – Which One is Best?
If you’ve been doing any research online to improve your chances of conceiving a girl then you no doubt have found that most of the different methods are contradictory. Some claim you should have sex as close to ovulation as possible for a girl and other’s suggest trying to conceive at least 5 days before and no sooner. So which method is right?
This article will look at some of the more popular gender selection methods on how to conceive a girl and their success rates so you can decide which one is best for you. Continue reading “The Different Methods for Conceiving a Girl – Which One is Best?” »
Dreaming of a pink nursery complete with a beautiful baby girl? Then read on, because this article will show you how to have a baby girl and fulfill your dreams of being a mother to your new precious daughter. Whether it’s your first child or your fourth, many people like yourself want to be able to give nature a helping hand in determining the sex of their child. And with all we now know about conception it’s easier than ever to try to fall pregnant with a specific gender.
To get a girl baby there are a few factors that you need to take into consideration, namely timing of any sexual intercourse that you do, the positions that you engage in and also diet to change the pH levels of your vagina to a more alkaline environment.
So let’s look at those factors in more detail.
Firstly, timing. To be successful in using timing to get a daughter you need to know when you ovulate. The sperm that makes female babies is relatively slow but also very strong and has been known to live up to 5 days inside the woman’s body waiting for the egg. In contrast the sperm that makes males is fast and while it would win the race to the egg by speed, it is quite weak and often die’s off within a day or two.
By determining your usual ovulation day (either by using OPK’s or charting your temperature (BBT) you need to start having sex at least a week before you are due to ovulate and stop within three days of your expected ovulation day. This will make sure that any male sperm would have died off by the and only female sperm will remain ready to fertilize the egg.
Secondly, certainly positions also favor having a girl baby such as those that deposit the sperm closer to the entrance of the vagina so they have to swim further (remember the female sperm are strong and are more likely to survive the longer swim). The usual position for a girl is the missionary position (man on top).
Finally, food also plays a part in your role to conceive a daughter. Certain foods help change your vaginal secretions to more alkaline which favors the female sperm more. Those foods include chocolate, sweets, fresh vegetables and fish. I guess the sugar and spice and all things nice really do apply to baby girls!
Knowing how to have a baby girl is important if your dream is to hold a precious daughter in your arms. Girls really are a joy to all families and by following the methods in this article you are on your way to reaching your goal. Good luck and baby dust to you.
One of the most popular methods for conceiving a boy (or girl) is using the Shettles Method. This method relies on ovulation timing to increase your chances of falling pregnant with a boy baby. Over the last twenty-five years, thousands of couples have turned to the Shettles Method for learning how to conceive a boy.
Shettles says in order to increase the chances of having a boy; you should have Sex no earlier than 24 hours before ovulation to 12 hours after ovulation. Continue reading “Conceiving a Boy – The Shettles Method” »
For some people, getting pregnant isn’t as easy as it should be. It can often take months to be able to conceive a baby even if both you and your partner are perfectly healthy. In this article I’ll go over some of the more common questions about getting pregnant.
How Often Should You Have Sex When Trying to Get Pregnant?
This will depend on the quality of your partner’s sperm. If he has a high motility and quantity of sperm (you can find this out by getting a test done) then you should aim to have sex every night during your fertile phase.
If you partner has a low sperm count then it is recommended that you wait until every second night to give him enough time to produce enough again.
Can We Use A Lubricant When Trying For A Baby?
Many lubricants such as KY jelly are not good when you are trying to get pregnant because they either don’t allow the sperm to pass through them, or may even kill them off before they reach the egg. The only lubricant that is known to be ‘sperm friendly’ is PreSeed.
Otherwise use nothing at all and increase your foreplay to make sure that both you and your partner are sufficiently aroused.
Are Some Positions Better For Making A Baby?
While experts agree that there isn’t ‘one’ optimal position for conceiving many say that any positions that allow for deep penetration (so the sperm is deposited right at the entrance to the cervix) can help when trying for a baby.
These positions include missionary and doggie style. However people have fallen pregnant using a variety of positions, and so don’t think you need to limit yourself to one or two only.
How Long Does Sperm Live?
Depending on the vaginal environment, some sperm have been known to live up to five days which is why you can get pregnant even if you have sex days before you actually ovulate.
If you would like more tips on how to fall pregnant then look around my blog which has lots more ideas and tips for getting pregnant.
If you have been trying to get pregnant for some time then you’ll know how frustrating the waiting game can be. Add to that the misconceptions and stories on improving your fertility and you’re left wondering when the best time to attempt baby making is, what positions you need to use and whether your fertile mucus is ‘egg white’ enough.
Fortunately if you want to maximize your chances of getting pregnant then there are some tried and true methods that you can try to help bring the stork closer to your door.
The two main factors you need when trying to conceive a baby is to make sure you are ovulating (and know exactly which day that is in your cycle) and also to give the sperm the best chance of reaching the egg by improving your cervical mucus.
The first is easy enough to find out; you’ll just need a method of determining your ovulation day. You can try charting your temperature watching for signs of ovulation, or use prediction kits such as ovulation tests or saliva monitors.
The second fertility factor: your cervical mucus is a little more tricky. Most women are blessed with abundant cervical mucus and other’s need a little help. Evening Primrose Oil is known to help improve your cervical fluid as is drinking lots of water. All these little tips will help your body know how to fall pregnant.
Trying To Conceive (TTC)
How Do You Get Pregnant Fast? The Most Effective Way to Reverse Infertility and Finally Get Pregnant
How do you get pregnant and reverse infertility? As easy it is for others to get pregnant, there are also others who find it hard to do so. People having problems in conceiving a baby may have thought that they have tried everything possible on their list but are still unsuccessful which may result to depression and hopelessness.
But there are just few things that couples need to learn if they want to have a baby. Knowing about this information will help couples to have the baby that they’ve been wanting for a long time.
So, how do you get pregnant fast? First and foremost the obvious, cut down on the use of contraceptive pill or injectable as their effects on the body is hard to flush away. If you stop using contraceptives the chances of your pregnancy will also increase.
Second, consider living a healthy life. Stop drinking alcoholic beverages and stop smoking as these unhealthy practice poisons your body that may impede the production of healthy hormones and cause infertility.
Detoxify your body by eating natural foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals that you and your soon-to-be-baby needs. Bear in mind that your body will be the vessel of the baby for 9 whole months. So if you want your body to become a nice place for your soon-to-be baby to live in, then consider changing your bad habit, eat healthy and live healthy.
It is also helpful to exercise as it is a great way to distress yourself and take away all the trash that has accumulated in your body. A regular exercise will help in gaining balance of your body system and will be able to release a more fertile and healthy hormones that will help increase the rate of you getting pregnant.
Stress is one of the many factors that may hamper pregnancy, so stay away from stressors as much as possible. Stop asking yourself how do you get pregnant and relax and enjoy.
Third, check any prescription or over the counter medication that you may taking and are not sure if they are harmful or may have affected your chances of getting pregnant, it’s always wise to read the contraindication of everything you take, it is usually in the fine print.
Fourth, engaging in a frequent, long and passionate love making with your loved one is also a key to easily get yourself pregnant. Sex is a necessity among husbands and wives to strengthen the bond between them but don’t do it every day.
Plan to have a loving sex with your partner at least three times a week to continually bond with your partner and also increase your chance to get pregnant and make sure you end up your section on the missionary, traditional position and stay in that position for at least 2 minutes after you both finish. Plus, sex is also a great way to distress you.
So if you are wondering how do you get pregnant, follow the above tips to get started and you will be on your way to get pregnant faster that you may think possible.
Actually; you can get pregnant Naturally regardless your age, condition or of how long you have been trying to conceive! There are very safe – HIGHLY EFFECTIVE methods through which you would get pregnant in No-Time. Click Here Now To check it out!
If you really want to ‘REVERSE’ any kind of INFERTILITY, have healthy Babies and improve your life dramatically without recurring To Drugs, IVF or IUI Procedures, then I urge you to visit this site RIGHT NOW: Just Click Here!
Or you could find everything you wanted to know about how to fall pregnant for free on this blog.
Conceiving a baby is not like looking at a brochure and choosing which one you like, a boy or a girl. The “choice” of having a boy or a girl seems random and the only thing we can do to adequately prepare is think of both male and female names just in case.
However, should you want to have a baby girl for whichever personal reason you and your family have, there is a way to increase your chances. It is not guaranteed, but it is proven to help.
In this article, you would discover the science behind having a baby girl and what you can do to increase your chances of conceiving and giving birth to a girl.
Before we discover the actual method to increase your chances of having a baby girl, it helps to understand how the gender of your baby is determined.
The Science Behind A Girl
The gender of your baby is solely dependent on the father (unfortunately:) ). The fact is, women like us only have 2 X chromosomes, while men like our husbands have an X chromosome and Y chromosome. 2 X chromosomes make us female while and XY chromosome combination makes a male. This goes for our babies as well.
Sperm cells from a man can either contain an X chromosome or a Y chromosome. If a sperm with X chromosome fertilizes our egg, then we have a baby girl. Otherwise, we have a baby girl.
Another important fact that is helpful to know is that Y chromosomes swim faster but lives shorter (meaning they die faster) than the X chromosome. The X chromosome sperm can live longer than a Y chromosome sperm.
Knowing these facts, we can increase the chances of having a baby girl.
The Method To A Baby Girl
Knowing that a Y chromosome sperm doesn’t live as long as an X chromosome sperm, we can increase the chances that an X chromosome sperm fertilizes our egg so we can conceive a baby girl.
To do so, it is best to make love with your husband 2-3 days before you ovulate (I take it that you know your cycle, around 2 weeks before your next menstrual period). This would allow the Y chromosome sperm cell to reach the fallopian tube prematurely (without an egg ready to be fertilized) and simply die off. This leaves only the slower but sturdier X chromosome sperm to fertilize the egg as it reaches the fallopian tube.
So there you go, a simple way to increase your chances of having a baby girl. Keep in mind though that this is not an exact thing as different women have different cycles, and having millions to billions of sperm cells trying to fertilize an egg greatly affects the odds. But following the technique above increases your chances that a baby girl gets conceived.
About The Author
Iska L is has been writing articles about child care and parenting for quite some time now. Do visit her latest website over at http://www.babyeducationaltoysguide.com/ featuring an informative article about baby musical toys for your baby’s optimal development.
You will find lots more articles about how to fall pregnant on this blog.
It’s a good idea, before you even start trying for a baby, to get your health and fertility checked by your GP or OB GYN to make sure you are in tip top shape. After all it’s much easier to carry a baby (and get pregnant firstly) if you know what you are dealing with upfront.
Usually the first thing they will check is your weight, abdomen, breasts and blood. You’ll also probably have a pelvic exam, Pap smear and a check for any STD’s during this first appointment.
They won’t do any invasive procedures such as checking for blocked fallopian tubes yet – that is usually for later if you haven’t conceived within twelve months.
This first appointment is also a good chance for you to ask any questions you might have about getting pregnant and the best times to have intercourse.
If you already know that you have a condition that might affect your fertility such as endometriosis, cysts or thyroid problems then you can discuss with your doctor the best treatment options that you can do right now.
The results of your initial consultation tests should come back within about a week. The blood test will show whether your immunizations are up to date and you’ll get to know if you have any STD’s or not and how to treat them.
If you are currently on medication, your doctor will also go over which ones are safe during pregnancy and help you get off those that are not.
You’ll also be advised to stop birth control and your doctor will let you know how long after stopping birth control you’ll most likely be able to conceive and other tips on how to fall pregnant.
If you want to get your partner checked out at this time then you can also make an appointment at your IVF clinic or sperm clinic to check to make sure his sperm contains good motility and volume. Although most couples don’t check this until after a few months trying to conceive without success.
Nothing brings more joy than a baby boy, as they say and as a mother to a beautiful son I can certainly believe that. In fact when trying to choose the gender of your child, more people try to get pregnant with a boy than with a girl. So if you would like to know when should you try to conceive a boy baby then this article will help you plan the right time.
Probably the most well known method of sex selection is the Shettles Method. The Shettles Method claims over 85% success rate for conceiving a boy. (The success rate for getting a boy using the Shettles Method is much higher for a boy than a girl).
Dr Shettles discovered that the male decides what sex your baby is going to be. If the sperm carrying an X chromosome reaches the egg and fertilizes it, then you’ll get a little girl. If the Y chromosome sperm fertilizes the egg then your little baby will be a boy.
Dr Shettles found that the Y sperm is very fast but not very strong so using this knowledge to your advantage, you can then time your intercourse around your ovulation day.
The first step is pinpointing the day that you ovulate. Once you know this day then you want to have sex from 1 day before ovulation right up to the day you ovulate. That means that the male sperm will be able to reach the egg first and you’ll increase the odds that you’ll have a boy baby.
By timing your sex to as close to ovulation as possible you’ll give yourself the best possible chance of conceiving a boy baby and pretty soon you’ll be knitting yourself some blue booties for you new precious bundle of joy.
There are even more tips and ideas for conceiving a boy and how to fall pregnant on this blog, I hope you enjoy the articles!
Leave A Comment