Met with a Midwife this week

GraceyandTroy

So I thought I'd share what I learned. I want to try to make things work with the holistic route.  I know not all of you are on board with that approach, and I know that's not really an option for everyone.  Also, we talked about my issues, so this may not be transferable, but I thought it's worth sharing even if it just helps one of you ladies.

Since my biggest issue is trying to induce fertility while still breast feeding, I want to be very careful of what I put into my body. Also, I need to convince my body that I can sustain two babies right now, both the one I'm nursing and a potential future baby.  She said that if I give my body the right nutrients, then it will more likely get back into the right rhythm and create a welcoming environment for a baby.  As it is right now, I sometimes ovulate, but then I have a short lp that doesn't allow for implantation.  So the two nutritional things she told me to work on are omega 3s and protein.  Apparently it's very easy for us to consume too many omega 6's and not enough omega 3's (that's too many bad fats, not enough good fats).  So, I am going to start taking fish oil capsules, but I'm also going to increase my avocado, chia seeds, coconut oil and olive oil intake. 

I'm also going to go on a high protein diet.  She reminded me that babies are made of protein, so I need to give my body lots of it.  Cottage cheese, lean meats, eggs… This is the type of diet she recommends for women with gestational diabetes, but she said it's a great way to give my body what it needs to get pregnant.  

These nutritional needs are important, but so is hormonal balance.  So, she recommended a few infusions for me to start drinking.  I already drink nettles and red clover (which is a fertility booster), but she's having me stop the red clover for a couple weeks.  Instead, she wants me to start red raspberry leaf and oat straw.  After a couple weeks, of these new teas, I can go back onto the red clover, and it should have a renewed effect.  I may start taking vitex again as well.  I went to an acupuncturist the last time around, so I may go back to that, again, too.     

That's my plan for now.  It's all in an attempt to avoid major medical intervention (which I can't afford any way).  I'm hopeful that this will work out for me, but I know it will likely prolong things.  If anyone is interested in learning more about herbal treatments, Susan Weed is a famous midwife who has some every educational youtube videos and books.  

Are there any other crunchy granola moms on here?  What are some things you've tried and what worked/didn't' work?

pettycrocker

Sounds great! I've been doing high protein since I had my DD back in July 11, then I kicked it up a notch and started low carb (I read this is very beneficial for fertility) back in Dec 12. It's great, I feel better than I have in as long as I can remember- my meals consist of a protein and lots of veggies, and I do a lot of fresh veggies as snacks. 

Good luck, I hope this works out for you. 

I am not crunchy granola, but I've tried just about everything you can think of. 

Here is a video for a quick and easy acupressure massage for your FP (there is a different massage and pressure points for your LP) I can't say this ever really made a difference beyond being a nice, relaxing massage- but it allows your SO to get a little more "involved' when you're dealing with IF. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHkjNe_N_5U

Also- green tea, pomegranate juice, pineapple core after O, CHARTING * (that's the best, natural way to increase fertility) 

I tried a lot of combinations of herbs and vitamins, but I won't bother listing because you obviously don't want to fool around with too many herbs while BFing. 

Good luck! 

KC1212

Crunchy mama here! I have a consultation with a midwife next week! I drink red rasberry leaf tea (only in my follicular phase) and I take Evening primrose oil, prenatals and herbs and weekly acupuncture!

Ps. I completely contribute this latest (although brief) BFP to acupuncture. It took 4 years to conceive my son and medical feriltiy treatments did not work for us.

Fast forward to now and I got pregnant in 5 months (2 months of weekly acupuncture )

pettycrocker

ITA about the acupuncture ^ I just started recently, but that is another thing that is just so nice and relaxing- I can't ever see it being anything but beneficial. It can get a bit pricey, but I noticed there are Groupons in my area pretty often, so check out your local Groupon for a deal 

KC1212

Mrs Castillo said:

ITA about the acupuncture ^ I just started recently, but that is another thing that is just so nice and relaxing- I can't ever see it being anything but beneficial. It can get a bit pricey, but I noticed there are Groupons in my area pretty often, so check out your local Groupon for a deal 

I'm so glad you like it. I think it is a great plan in conjunction with your IVF protocol It's a shame more research isn't dedicated to it, I think.

pettycrocker

KC1212 said:

ITA about the acupuncture ^ I just started recently, but that is another thing that is just so nice and relaxing- I can't ever see it being anything but beneficial. It can get a bit pricey, but I noticed there are Groupons in my area pretty often, so check out your local Groupon for a deal 

I'm so glad you like it. I think it is a great plan in conjunction with your IVF protocol It's a shame more research isn't dedicated to it, I think.

Yea, I read tons of positive research, but you're right- it is a shame. You convinced me to start, and I am so glad I did. When I mentioned starting to the Nurse (back before I started my meds) she rolled her eyes, like why would you even bother. I think there has to be a balance between natural & scientific. Otherwise TTC just gets too "Sci-fi" 

CheesyPeas

Crunchy girl here and extended BFer!  I love the suggestions!  I've never done red clover; I'll have to look into that.  I've also been thinking very seriously about acupuncture because I really want my LP to be longer and progesterone doesn't do jack for me.  I would love to find a way to naturally increase my LP and boost my fertility.

KC1212

@CheesyPeas I'm jealous of your extended BFing. I made it 6 months strong but when my dad passed away my supply PLUMMETED and I quit. I tried power pumping, more nursing, herbs, upping my calorie intake...nothing worked. I swear I think all would have been fine if I wasn't grieving

GraceyandTroy

Mrs Castillo said:

KC1212 said:

ITA about the acupuncture ^ I just started recently, but that is another thing that is just so nice and relaxing- I can't ever see it being anything but beneficial. It can get a bit pricey, but I noticed there are Groupons in my area pretty often, so check out your local Groupon for a deal 

I'm so glad you like it. I think it is a great plan in conjunction with your IVF protocol It's a shame more research isn't dedicated to it, I think.

Yea, I read tons of positive research, but you're right- it is a shame. You convinced me to start, and I am so glad I did. When I mentioned starting to the Nurse (back before I started my meds) she rolled her eyes, like why would you even bother. I think there has to be a balance between natural & scientific. Otherwise TTC just gets too "Sci-fi" 

Yes!  I love love loved my acu treatments!  For the first time around, I did it for two weeks before I ovulated w/o meds for the first time in over a year!  I continued and o'ed every cycle.  I was o'ing late, so adding the herbal teas helped bring it sooner and I finally conceived my son after nine months of acu and about five months of the teas and acu combined.  I continued going but cut back to twice a week during my pregnancy and I believe it was a major factor in how smooth my pregnancy went.  I want to start again, but as mentioned, it's pricey.  I will start going in January or February to give the herbal teas some time to kick in.  That will also save some $$$ since we're into the holiday season.

KC1212

@GraceyandTroy I totally understand the cost factor. I'm paying 80 bucks per week. She threw in a free moxibustion treatment for my miscarriage though and sent the moxibustion stick home with me. It's still cheaper (for us) than western fertility treatments and so far I've found it more effective.

I don't blame you for letting the teas kick in first. Smart thinking

CheesyPeas

@KC1212 I can totally believe that.  I know when I was really stressed at work, my supply was noticably lower, so if I had to deal with something as heavy as the loss of a parent, there's no way my body would've allowed me to make it this far either.  These days I have next to nothing in there, and DS only nurses before bed 5 nights or so a week (I'm doing a "don't offer, don't refuse" type approach to weaning the before-bed session).  Hopefully with your next LO you will be able to nurse as long as you (and he/she) like!

chusum

Another extended BFer here, luckily my cycles have been normal since 12 months PP. I might need to give the suggestions she made a try, it can't hurt and I keep thinking what if BFing contributed to my m/c... I hate to think that, and I hope that isn't the case because I know plenty of women that have had normal pregnancies while BFing.

I hope everything works! I might need to try acupuncture, if anything it sounds relaxing!