So, you have decided to have a baby. How can you increase your chances of becoming and remaining pregnant? You need to look at your diet, assess what your hormones are doing already, monitor your stress levels, and consider any pollutants you may already be exposed to.
There are three major classes of infertility: Primary, where there has been no prior pregnancy; secondary, where pregnancy has occurred in the past but for some reason hasn’t happened now or doesn’t continue full term; and the third is an absence or shortage of eggs and/or sperm. Most types of infertility can be treated naturally.
Mother nature likes regularity and balance when making babies: Female hormones should ideally follow their 28 day rhythm, oestrogen and progesterone levels rising and falling at the right times, and ovulation occurring around the middle of the cycle. Irregular or absent periods, acne or facial hair may indicate that your ovaries are not following their natural rhythm. Herbs, nutrients, homoeopathics or acupuncture can be prescribed to gently coax hormones into a fertile rhythm.
Do you know when you are ovulating? Test kits are readily available in shops, or you can learn how to track your ovulation through temperature and vaginal mucus changes. Look for books on traditional natural fertility markers in your local library.
Your nutritional status plays a big part in promoting fertility. If you have become pregnant in the past but have not been able to carry the baby to term, this is an area you particularly need to look at. Scientific research has highlighted the negative effect a high-fat high-sugar western diet has on fertility.
You need a balanced diet, but how does your current diet measure up? You need to ensure also that the food you’re eating is top quality: Choose to eat food as close to its natural form as possible, and avoid pollutants by choosing to eat organic.
Zinc is an important fertility boosting mineral for both men and women. The reputation oysters have around making babies is well earned, so enjoy them! Your naturopath can easily assess your zinc status through a taste test.
Insulin resistance can affect your hormone balance too, and poor blood sugar regulation may be hampering your best efforts to fall pregnant. Signs of insulin resistance include a tubby tummy, cravings for sweet starchy foods, and an energy slump mid afternoon.
Chronic stress seriously disrupts hormones, so exercise regularly and make time to wind down every day.
Men need to pay attention to their stress levels and diet just as much, as they need the right conditions to produce lots of healthy sperm.
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