"Natural" strategies to TTC

Jzyla · October 2012

Hi everyone,

Not sure if anyone here is TTC w/natural or wholistic methods (not undermining medical assistance - I just don't qualify for it yet, so am doing everything I can until I can get IUI or IVF). Obviously, I am not pregnant, so I can't say it works and most natural health products/strategies do not have evidence based research behind them, but with the right guidance (CMP, NP) it doesn't hurt to have hope. So here goes - this is what I'm doing!

I drink rapsberry leaf tea with nettle and red clover.
seed oil rotation of omega 3 capsules & flaxseed/pumpkin seeds for days 1-14 and evening primrose oil & sesame seeds for 14-28.
I take vitex & maca every day, along with some other supplements. My DH takes motility boost, panax ginseng, coQ10, zinc, and l-carnitine.
I use essential oils - geranium and clary sage.
I try to get acupuncture once a month around ovulation.
I was using wild yam cream from days 14-28, which I saw wonderful improvements from (can balance progesterone - improves PMS) but I'm taking a break from it (RE's orders) while I do a 3 month trial of clomid.
The other thing I'm doing (with supervision from an NP) is trying to remove the candida yeast that we suspect is in my body. That means NO sugar at all (in any form, not even fruit - only stevia). Yeast can affect everything from your hormones to the acidity of your cervical mucus, making it hostile to sperm. I'm already seeing positive results.

I want to be clear that I am NOT promoting these tactics for everyone and you should definitely check with your own doctors and specialists. There's lots of hocus pocus and magical cures online. I am just saying I feel better now that my hormones seem to be better regulated. Even if there is a medical reason for our infertility (although no one can find one) being 100% healthy will greatly improve my chances to finally get pregnant. It also hasn't been very expensive at all. I also don't fixate over these things either, for the record. Getting obsessed doesn't help anything.

Annnnyways, I guess I was just curious if anyone else is trying any of these things or was interested in sharing. Hope that's okay!

smilormarie · October 2012

I just started acupuncture today in the hopes that it will get me back into remission for whatever autoimmune disorder I have (we suspect autoimmune progesterone dermatitis, Polychondritis, fibromyalgia and/or rheumatoid arthritis). The thought was that if my immune system is malfunctioning, the signals that the fertilized egg is sending is not being heard by my body and my body is probably attacking it anyway. I figured if I have to take this month off (previous fertility clinic is being a duche bag about releasing hubby's banked sperm to the new fertility clinic), I might as well get my body in alignment. I haven't started herbal supplements but my practitioner mentioned it as an option.

Aurora1181 · October 2012

Wow! I feel like such a slacker for only taking my prenatal! Stick out tongue

What positive changes have you noticed? I've never heard of the wild yam cream- what is that?

xladybassx · October 2012

I have started acupuncture. I am going twice a week until the end of this cycle, then I will go just once a week. I am currently reading a book about Chinese medicine and IF I'm not very far in so I'm not sure if I like it yet or not. My acupuncturist says there are a lot of herbs that can help, but some of them can interact negatively with the meds I am on so he won't prescribe them too me right now.

I'm waiting on AF now, then next cycle we are going to try our first IUI. If that doesn't work we may take a cycle off of western medicine save for the next IUI... and try the herbs for a cycle. I am not convinced that Chinese medicine/natural remedies alone can "fix" infertility, particularly for those of us with a diagnosed issue, but I do think it is a nice compliment.

Acupuncture has been doing wonders to help me manage the stress that goes along with IF, normally while waiting on AF I would be bitter, angry, depressed, and negative towards myself. Now...I still feel sad, but it's a more peaceful sad. I'm disappointed that it didn't work but I feel clear in understanding that my body wasn't ready yet...and somehow I'm ok with it. Not ok like "oh well, maybe next time!" more like, "I'll be ok, I won't lose control of myself, I won't give up, and it will happen when my body is ready". I know it sounds weird, but seriously I am really glad I decided to try acupuncture!

katib77 · October 2012

While I have heard of the benefits of Omega 3 fish oil and CoQ-10 (which I will be doing for our last IUI), and acupuncture for blood flow and reducing stress...the rest sounds like a lot to be doing that have sketchy (if any) evidence behind it. But that's my personal view because I believe more in scientific method and proof that what I'm doing does more good than harm.

But after over three years, drinking teas, eating pineapple cores, etc. I left that behind years ago. No more wives tales. I only do things my RE either suggests or agrees is a good idea. ie DH's vitamins regime of Fertility blend for men, CoQ-10, and additional fruit. My pre-nats, Metformin and progesterone supplements, and adding Omega 3 and Co Q and reducing sugars even further when doing IUI and for the cycle taking injects is all enough for me.

To each there own.

herecomesthesun · October 2012

Aurora1181:
Wow! I feel like such a slacker for only taking my prenatal! What positive changes have you noticed? I've never heard of the wild yam cream- what is that?

This. Totally. It made me laugh because I felt slackerish too!

And I second the Yam Cream question.

pantsarella · October 2012

katib77:
But after over three years, drinking teas, eating pineapple cores, etc. I left that behind years ago. No more wives tales. I only do things my RE either suggests or agrees is a good idea. ie DH's vitamins regime of Fertility blend for men, CoQ-10, and additional fruit. My pre-nats, Metformin and progesterone supplements, and adding Omega 3 and Co Q and reducing sugars even further when doing IUI and for the cycle taking injects is all enough for me.
To each there own.

This. I do acupuncture because it relaxes me and there are studies to back it up. But as for everything else, it's not going to solve our MFI. My DH had surgery AND took every supplement known to man and we're still doing IVF. Sorry, but I think all the things you listed are things to try before working with a RE.

Aurora1181 · October 2012

herecomesthesun:
Aurora1181:
Wow! I feel like such a slacker for only taking my prenatal! What positive changes have you noticed? I've never heard of the wild yam cream- what is that?

This. Totally. It made me laugh because I felt slackerish too!
And I second the Yam Cream question.

Okay so I googled the infamous "yam cream." Looks like it's something like progesterone, but that some people say it is bad for TTC. I can't see the original post to know if this is something your RE recommended OP, but I would be wary of this stuff.

ETA: looks like you're taking a break from it anyway for your "three month trial" of Clomid. Whatever that means. So nevermind!

Jzyla · October 2012

Ok I just want to clarify that I was not recommending my supplements/strategies to anyone and yes, obviously there could be interactions or contradictions with your regular fertility treatments... but there aren't with mine. I am fully supervised by a Naturopathic Physician and Chinese Medicine Practitioner, along with my OBGYN. I don't just google things. And these aren't wives tales, this is recognized therapy.

Also wanted to clarify: I was not meaning for this to sound like "Look at all the stuff I do - you're so lazy for not doing it!" - everyone does what's right for them. I was just curious what other people were doing and how it's worked (or not). And hey, obviously I'm not preggo either... so it's not like I can brag about how awesome my treatments are Stick out tongue

Anyways, yes wild yam cream contains an diosgenin which mimics the body's natural progesterone - it not actual progesterone - but it can be a natural way to attempt to balance hormones in the right conditions. There is a whole pile of information on the internet, but it's very inconsistent. I was using mine from day 14-28 and it greatly reduced the breast tenderness, skin issues, and moodiness I was experiencing as PMS. Of course, since this is a natural and complimentary therapy, I didn't hesitate to sacrifice it when my OBGYN suggested it would be best to leave it alone while I do clomid (days 3-7 for 3 cycles, I'm on CD 15 right now).

Basically at the end of the day, everybody does what's right for them. It might seem like a lot of 'work', but I really don't stress out about it - if anything, feeling like I have some control over my health reduces my stress considerably.

vpine · October 2012

I'm with katib77, I've tried it all it seems and nothing 'magically' worked to get me pregnant. I tried various teas, acupuncture, Chinese herbs, pineapple core, robitussin, DH drinking pomegranate, various positions, BD EOD, BD ED, handstand after BD (I'm serious), B12 injections, etc etc. I was diagnosed with unexplained infertility, DH has wonderful sperm, been off BCP since May 2010, one failed recent IUI and no advice to give other than you might be overdoing it. If all else fails, I'd recommend IUI and then IVF, good luck!

hurricane1212 · October 2012

I got pregnant with DD on Fertilaid. We tried for 16 months and I conceived 17 days after starting it. I have some undetermined medical issue and I have never ovulated on my own or had regular periods.

KayyLove · October 2012

After a few months of trying all different types of supplements, i opted to give this product a try. The product was called ConceiveEasy and it was a blessing. Instead of taking all different types of supplements all I had to do was take ONE pill. I am 8 weeks pregnant right now. I couldn't be happier. it only took 3 cycles. Look into it, I am so certain you will be happy you did.

smilormarie · October 2012

Some update to the acupuncture: I have just completed my first 2 sessions (went Friday the first week and again Monday the following week figuring I'd aim at about 2 sessions per week).

The acupuncturist took a detailed history on me including whether I'm right/left handed, how my periods were, color, pain, clots/tissue, cycle length, any other symptoms, and surgeries, meds, etc. When I described mine to be 2-3 days and blood clots and dark brown to start, etc he said that Chinese medicine would say my periods are not normal and should be 5 days, thin bright red blood, no clots. Ok, whatever, to each his own. I personally like the short 2 day deal and don't mind cramping and the odd colors, if it gives me a short AF.

He stated the first few sessions we would not do much since some people say they are achy or feel tired so best to not overdo it. The first session he told me to expect to feel relaxed, maybe tired. Instead, I felt fine and just had a feeling of cold across my stomach, right below my belly button above my waistband. I went to move my sweater down, thinking my belly was exposed and getting cold but it was already down. I told him about it and he said that was good that I was already experiencing sensations at the first session. The next session went pretty much uneventful, just some weird proprioception (the sense we all have that we know how/where our body is positioned even without looking) involving my arms feeling like they were shifted off to the side and then some heat on my left arm. Then after the session I started having that re-current pain in my cervix (last IUI a month ago was a struggle for them to get the catheter through taking 10 minutes and lot of pain/bleeding for week after) so I just thought ok, it's my cervix probably still inflamed from a month ago and we're not trying this month so no biggy. Then brown discharge like right before a period and then bright red period blood. So surprised because it's only Day 12 and I'm not due to ovulate or get my period yet. I'm even "period-tired." Now I don't know what to do about charting. Is this day 12 or Day 1 again? I plan to tell him during my next session this Friday so maybe we'll reduce the next treatment since I'm experiencing so many symptoms so quickly. I still believe in in and want to continue but I'm surprised that my body is so receptive to it that it's changing after only 2 sessions.

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