I am the happy mother of two beautiful kids. I had trouble gettting pregnant with my daughter (now 5) and had no trouble with my son (who is now 2.5, we charted, but I resumed my period after I bf my daughter for 22 mos and got pregnant in about 4mos). I badly want a third, and am not having any luck. I weaned him at 15 mos, but only got my period once. I have been under treatment for thyroiditis (but that seems to be under control now) and have even gone through several rounds of fertility treatments (clomid and menopur injections). However, at this point - the cost is just too prohibitive and I can't justify taking the money away from my family. At the same time - it is breaking my heart as my kids say they want another sibling (and I truly feel my family is not complete). My diagnosis is unexplained, but its not PCOS or endometriosis or tubal issues...
I will continue to try on my own (except I don't seem to ovulate)...but I wondered if anyone had any advice as to more natural ways to increase fertility and promote ovulation? Thanks.
I also should add that I'm a personal trainer and fitness instructor - I exercise quite a bit, BUT my body fat is in a reasonable range as is my weight, and in terms of high-intensity cardiovascular and strength training, I am limiting it. Finally, I am extremely careful about my diet, have cut back on caffeine (that's KILLING me) and am gluten-free due to digestive problems.
I feel for you, I had issues to and tried for three years before finally getting pregnant with artificial insemination. I have read a few things on the internet that might help you good luck. Okay there is a product called pre seed its a lubricant and helps get things where there need to be. Another thing is wild yam root which is a vitamin that is supposed to work. it didn't work for me but i have terrible endometriosis so better luck to you.
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K.T.
answers from
Provo
on
HI! My mother-in-law is a midwife and she recommends something called Female Balance. It's supposed to get you regulated and stuff.
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J.G.
answers from
Denver
on
Try "Fertility, Cycles & Nutrition" by Marilyn M. Shannon. You can find it on Amazon.
It would also help to find a physician trained in
NaProTECHNOLOGY. If you live in Denver I can give you a couple of names. Good luck!!!
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V.W.
answers from
Salt Lake City
on
A.,
Congrats on the family!! You're doing good! If you've been to an Reproductive Endocrinologist for your fertility issues already, then I don't need to suggest that. I've had some issues of my own and finally found myself pregnant. I've been trying and not preventing for 5 years to conceive my 2nd child. I am currently about 7 weeks. I go in again next week for a second looksee.
Here's what I did. And I won't leave anything out. I ovulated really well when I was on Herbalife products, particularly Tang Kuei plus and Woman's Choice. Now, that said, I didn't CONCEIVE while on these!! i got so upset and frustrated after knowing in my very bones and soul that I will not carry any more children that I quit trying via that route. I got my tubes flushed (as per doctor orders), everything all clear. (I KNEW that!! duh I said to my doc). Then I quit going to my doc. I just quit. I tried ZONOLOGY. I can't tell you much about WHAT it is or really what it does because I just gave my feet to my husband's cousin and said, "can you help me get pregnant? Can you help me be healthy again?" He said, "You bet!" And gave my feet a good rubbing once a week in a special knuckle rub way for three months. He talked with his zonologist and she suggested a special mix of herbs (green magma) and some natural ingredients (zinc, and wheat germ oil) for me to use. She said that she has had a great record with regular zoning sessions accompanied by these three things.
Given all that, I also had GIVEN UP. I think giving it up to the Lord really helped me tons. I didn't have any faith in the zoning, I really wanted to be healthy more than I wanted to have a natural born biological child. We also put in motion our paperwork for adoption and paid some up front costs for that.
But with all that, I ended up pregnant. We had maintained the usual baby making sessions when I was supposed to ovulate, though with no faith it would work. That sounds so crude, but we both had given it up and this particular day of "doing it" was almost an angry day.
I hope some of this helps you. The zoning is great. If it didn't get me pregnant, then I sure had nice feet!! It made them look SO nice. And I feel pretty dang good to boot.
Love and blessings to you!
V.
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C.E.
answers from
Denver
on
A.,
Ever thought about adopting? Two of our children were adopted - at birth, right her in the Denver area!
Happy to talk to you more about it if you (or anyone else) is interested!
Blessings -
C.
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D.H.
answers from
Denver
on
Hi A.,
I had the same problem: no ovulation. I know you're looking for a natural way, but I think this might interest you as well. I was referred to an endocriologist. Of course he ran some tests and found that I was producing too much prolactin (the hormone that produces milk and inhibits ovulation). So he prescribed me bromocriptine aka Parlodel (sp?). It was like taking birth control everyday. It took a year to get pregnant with my first and only one month to get pregnant with my second. I hope this helps, and good luck.
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N.W.
answers from
Salt Lake City
on
I am not sure if this will help at all, but it's worth at try... it is called Pre-Seed...
I do have severe endometriosis and after trying consecutively for 18 months, charting my cyles, ovulation kits, basal body thermometer etc............this worked on the first try... It could have been a concidence, but maybe it did help. Good Luck!!!
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J.F.
answers from
Denver
on
Slowing down on your workouts and adding good fats into your diet is key!
Although I thought I was a good weight and only worked out at a moderate rate it was still too much for my body.
I wasn't having a period and thus that was a sign my body wasn't happy. I cut back on the working out and added some fat back into my diet (that was hard for me) and sure enough my periods started back up and I was prego.
In your mind you might feel you aren't too thin and eating enough, but if your body isn't working like it should it is telling you otherwise....
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R.K.
answers from
Salt Lake City
on
Hi A.,
It's vital that you get on a supreme supplimentation program. I, personally, suggest Shaklee.
Have your provider check your hormone: estrogen, progesterone, AND prolactin. Too much prolactin with sabatoge any attempt for fertility. Not enough progesterone with not allow conception. Too much estrogen will also interfere.
Utilize chiropractic care from a good chiropractic doctor who is clear about your desire to conceive.
AVOID CAFFEINE!!! Caffeine as proven to interfere with fertility.
Go to this website and utilize this method!!! You'll have get over any issues you may have with your body, it's fluids, and it's functions. This has been a miracle for MANY, MANY women. My good friend teaches this and has seen many a woman conceive who was told it's worthless to try...so, you never know. http://www.creightonmodel.com/
You can also get some progesterone creme from the health food store and use it regularly, but I caution you that you'll need to use it into your pregnancy until your body takes over.
Good Luck to you...remember you HAVE to eat well (including suppliments), sleep well, and hydrate yourself properly.
There is a free giveaway going on through today -- leave a comment for your chance to win it.
Good luck, A..
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J.N.
answers from
Salt Lake City
on
My period was always irregular and it made it very difficult for me to get pregnant. My doctor actually put me on birth control pills to regulate my period. After 3 months, I stopped the pill and we started trying for a baby. 3 months later I was pregnant. This has worked all 3 times for us. Ask your doctor about it...
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C.P.
answers from
Provo
on
I can't say I have the answers to your problem, but your situation sounds similar to what I experienced, so I'll tell you what happened to me. After my first child was born, I didn't have periods for 6 years. During that time I spent a lot of time and money on medical doctors for infertility treatments that didn't work. My body didn't respond and the Dr. didn't know why. I wanted to know what the underlying cause was, and they didn't care. They just wanted to treat the symptoms for lots of money. Anyway, through friends I was led to various practitioners of alternative medicine. I found out that my hormone levels were not right (through tests), particulary my progesterone was non-existant. I took a natural progesterone supplement and started having periods. Then I found out that my adrenal glands were not working, and since your adrenals create your hormones, that is why mine were so low. I took a supplement to boost my adrenals, and within a few months I was having regular, ovulatory periods and was pregnant. The supplement I took was called Minchec, but there are others out there. I would start by looking for a chiropractor in your area that does muscle response testing and go from there. The best place to start would probably be a good natural medicine store. Good Luck.
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A.F.
answers from
Denver
on
This may not be quite what you are looking for but there is a study of some African women who seem to have increased fertility and a higher likelihood of having twins because they eat a diet of yams. You can Google the studies and see if it's something you want to try. We're trying to conceive as well so I've been looking into these things. I'll be interested to hear the suggestions you get.
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C.B.
answers from
Provo
on
Although this forum is a great place to get ideas from other moms, I'd suggest you visit a TTC (trying to conceive) forum as that would likely be more helpful. I have been a member of the one at parentingweekly.com twice, and there are some very very knowledgeable ladies there. Unfortunately many of them have been there for a very long time, but that does make them great resources as that often means that they have been through many medical treatments in attempt to remedy the situation, and often they have looked at natural remedies as well.
Also-Vitex (an herbal supplement) works as a natural clomid, many people use it to help regulate their cycles. I do not know how well it would work to actually induce ovulation, but it might be worth looking into.
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J.M.
answers from
Provo
on
A.,
The first thing you should do is start using relaxation techniques in order to calm your body down. Stress can play a vital role in the natural rhythm of a woman's body. You said that you want to try natural ways to help you conceive, then remember pills don't grow in nature and products that come from laboratories are not natural. Things that you can grow in your own yard and produce in your own kitchen with what you already have, are.
I am currently studying to become a Master Herbalist and have been learning what truly going natural means. How much meat and other animal products do you eat? The proteins in animal products are complex and made of a lot of amino acids. The high amount of acids you get from animal products acidifies the body, and too much acid in the body can cause conception problems as it will kill the sperm before they can fertilize an egg. The proteins you get from plant based foods are simple proteins, easily processed by the body before they cause it to become acidic. Your diet should consist mostly of fresh, or lightly cooked, vegetables, legumes, and fruits. Eating a variety of these foods will give you the proteins your body needs without acidifying your body.
Drinking red raspberry leaf tea will also help. This tea helps to nourish and strengthen the female reproductive system and is safe to take before, during and after pregnancy. There is also a natural formula called Nu-Fem. This is designed to help rebuild a malfunctioning reproductive system. Another formula, to help with hormone imbalance, is called Changease. Both of these are available at health food stores and they come in two ways, cut and dried in a bag in order to make a tea with, or encapsulated for you to take just the herbs. Both of these are safe to take during pregnancy.
I wish you well and hope you will give these natural ways try as they will only do your body good.
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H.F.
answers from
Pocatello
on
Good luck to you! I am in a similar situation trying to have a 3rd baby, I too have 2 children, the first we tried for 6 months and used clomid, the second was a very happy surprise. Does your insurance not cover the clomid? It is only about $15 after insurance for me. Do you use the ovulation sticks? They can be very helpful, even if what you discover from them is that you are not ovulating, then you can know that you need to do somehitng differently. I have also tried the herbal supplements red clover and red raspberry leaf. I have been trying different things for about 5 months now but I have a really good feeling about this cycle! Don't feel badly about wanting another child, it is not selfish for you to seek fertility treatments! Many people do not understnd secondary infertility or they have little sympathy for you because you already have children. I hope that you and I both will concieve and carry to term health babies soon!
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T.T.
answers from
Salt Lake City
on
A.,
After years of not being able to conceive a friend gave me rasberry root. I have conceived four children with it since. (The first two times I conceived the first month I took it, the third time on the second month of taking it). You can pick it up at most health food stores or you can get it online. I will include the info on it below. I know it does not work for all but it is the "magic bullet" for me (we even tried invitro and it did not work-but this did it!) I just take 50 drops a day from the first day of my period (it kind of tastes yucky so I usually put it in orange juice)
I have a similar story from the other posts. My cousin tried for 13 years and after they stopped. She started excercising, started on a vitamin regimin and lost weight started eating better. She got pregnant. Then had no problems at all conceive #2. I say relax, get some excercise take your prenatals and enjoy life. I bet it happens soon. Let us know....Good luck.
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S.W.
answers from
Salt Lake City
on
I know several moms who have found the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" to be very useful. Good luck!
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K.Y.
answers from
Boise
on
Have you ever heard of MonaVie? You should check it out. I was a surrogate mother for my sister in 2006 because she was not able to become pregnant. She was 44 at the time. She could not become pregnant because her eggs weren't viable. My sister has been drinking MonaVie for about one year now. Five months ago she found out she was pregnant and her doctor said it was a miracle. Although she miscarried @ eight weeks, she was told in the first place that she could never have children. She says that drinking the MonaVie has helped her body so much that her doctor told her she just might be able to become pregnant again. MonaVie fights the free radicals in our bodies and enables us to be healthy naturally. Please let me know if you would like more information. You can reach me @ ____@____.com. Thanks. K.
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M.A.
answers from
Boise
on
It looks like you've got a lot of wonderful suggestions. One more for the hat is maca, a natural adaptogen that grows high in the Andes. (An adaptogen helps regulate the endocrine system, which is responsible for hormone production.) You can read a lot about it at this website: http://www.imperialgoldmaca.com. (It's a bit in-your-face and slightly corny, but has lots of good info and their prices are reasonable.) My husband actually took this to help with migraines. I'd recommend the powdered form over the capsules, as it's more reasonable that way. Wouldn't cost much to try. :)
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K.G.
answers from
Denver
on
What type of supplements are you on? And your husband as well?
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M.L.
answers from
Denver
on
A.-
I can totally understand. I have a 2-year-old and we've been trying for a year...unsuccessfully. I have tried Metformin and will start Chlomid next month. Last month I did OPKs for the entire month and found that I did ovulate (we didn't think I was), but not until day 20. Then I started my period on day 27 of my cycle. I have done OPKs and taken my tempurature but never that far into my cycle. I think I just assumed "oh well, no ovulation this cycle" and stopped tracking. My doctor is thinking that I have a short luteal phase and that I don't produce enough progesterone after I ovulate to hold a pregnancy...maybe you are in the same boat.
I don't have any solutions, but if you've had 2, that means it is possible again, so just keep trying. If you are really wanting to expand your family, but don't know if you can wait or that you will get pregnant again, perhaps you would consider adoption. We are thinking we will be taking that road.
Good luck!
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L.J.
answers from
Denver
on
Hi A.,
check out the website www.herbdoc.com I've used lots of the herbal products there and have been thrilled with them. There are some products to increase fertility. Hope this helps!
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S.A.
answers from
Boise
on
Arbonne makes this progestrone cream. It is suppose to help with fertility.
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C.C.
answers from
Denver
on
Accupunture can be effective in treating fertility problems. I don't know if you believe in the energies within our bodies, but there are also books for chakra work, meditations, and yoga for fertility. I've never read them, but have seen them on the shelf at Barnes and Noble. I also know a massage therapist who does some energy work that she calls a "womb opening." If you're interested, e-mail me through mamasource and I'll give you her name.
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M.M.
answers from
Colorado Springs
on
I treated with a naturopath after having almost a zero level of estrogen and no periods for years. We used high levels of vitamins, essential fatty acids, and natural sources of estrogen and progesterone. I also went off carbs for a while and within 4 months, I was pregnant. I appreciated not having to take any synthetic drugs with side effects.
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J.A.
answers from
Grand Junction
on
Hi A.,
The 8 essential glyconutrients that our bodies need everyday but cannot get from our food anymore, actually one of the things they do among so many is foster fertilization. I know ladies who were having a hard time getting pregnant and after starting on a whole food liquid supplement which has ALL 8 essential glyconutrients in it are now pregnant or just had a baby. The only other thing that has 7 glyconutrients is mothers milk to help babies with brain function and build their immune systems. Check this product out at www.lifeforce.net/20627479 if you would like more information just let me know. I could also give you the contact information for the ladies I spoke about. Good-Luck......J.
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J.H.
answers from
Billings
on
I don't know of any natural remedies; however, I do know several women who have gone through situations similar to yours, and it seems like once they stop trying so hard, and relax some, they end up getting pregnant. I know this is easier said than done, especially when you want something so badly. But it seems like stress makes getting pregnant harder. If you can take a break from trying, stop charting, and just see what happens, it might help you out. Good luck!
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C.C.
answers from
Denver
on
Hi A.,
I am trying to get pregnant with my first. When I got off of the pill my period was absent for quite a while so I looked into herbs and vitamins to help me regulate. Go to Wholeworldbotainical.com, and look for Royale Maca, It is supposed to regulate all of your hormones.I read that an optimal dose is between 3000 and 5000 mg to promote hormonal balance and then you can cut back after you get pregnant. I am currently drinking a tea that is supposed to promote fertility, it is 1 teaspoon of Red Raspberry leaves, 1 teaspoon of nettle and 1 teaspoon of Red Clover you steep it for 20 minutes then drink. You can do a search on Susan Weed and read more on this decoction. Vitamin E is also good to take for fertility. You can also google search Herbs for fertility and it will bring up all kinds of websites for you too look through. There are also yoga dvd's that you can get that are supposed to help with fertility as well. Although easier said than done try and relax and trust that all will be well.
Sincerely C.
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C.A.
answers from
Salt Lake City
on
try acupuncture or acupressure. Most holistic health centers will be able to give you any info you need. It is totally safe and has helped a lot of people!
Hey girl I feel your Pain! I too had a hard time getting pregnant with my first (over 3 years of trying)..After my first I was able to 2 more kids.. I never did find out why it took so long or what the problem was. I tried lots of different things, but the thing that I think made a huge difference was a program of homeopathics I got on. I went to an Irodologist, and he created a seasonal program for what my body needed. As soon as the 4 months was up (with the program) I got pregnant. Call it coinsidence, but I really think it is what helped. There are a ton of homeopathics, so I would recomend you go to someone who knows what they are doing.
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S.B.
answers from
Denver
on
I agree with Kim, try acupuncture.
It may have been a coincidence, but I conceived at the age of 46, just after an appointment with my acupuncturist.
I was not even trying to conceive at that point, although I had tried many medical interventions several years earlier.
He mentioned that he was "opening" my reproductive system, and
I am sure I conceived that weekend! I think they even have
fertility specialist. If you want to look them up, it's
Ancient Art Healing Center in Littleton. Good luck.
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J.B.
answers from
Denver
on
Hi A.,
I'm an RN and have spent the last 5 years teaching about natural hormones. I'd be happy to communicate with you and send you some info via email.
Blessings,
J.
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R.M.
answers from
Denver
on
i think that you are expecting immediate gratification. and god is telling you that it is not your choice when, but to enjoy what you have right in front of you. and there is nothing more than going on a relaxing vacation to shoot out an egg. just relax and before you know it you will be pregnant. it could just be a week-end get away something simple to get your mind of it. walk hand in hand with you husband and remember the good ol days as you sip on a glasss of wine. feed each other at a pic nic and go on a carrige ride. have a couples massage in your hotel room, it is well worth the expense, it will make your relationship flourish. you deserve it. take care and god bless
The first one is preconception tea or tincture from herblore.com
The second is B-fruitful formula from trilight herbs.
I haven't used either of these herbs yet, but I have used other herbs from these companies with great sucess. One of which was to help a woman prevent a miscarriage which her doctor told her was 'going to happen' (she had already lost one pregnancy). It was very sucessful for her! That's one of several sucess stories.
HTH,
S.
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L.B.
answers from
Denver
on
Hi,
I had the same problem with ovulating rarely if at all. I tried the Eat Right for Your Type - bloodtype diet. I had to completely change my diet - as I had been eating all the wrong types of food for my bloodtype. I got pregnant 6 months after changing my diet. I know others that this has worked for as well. It's based on 30 years of scientific research by an MD and his MD father. The thinking is that certain foods are interpreted as toxins by your bloodtype, therefore weakening your immune system and making your body attack your husband's sperm with a vengance! So, you are trying to strengthen your immune system and balance everything out so that your body is ready to host a baby. The two books I suggest are "Eat Right for Your Baby" and "Taking Charge of Your Fertility." I used both, and within 3 months of trying, I got pregnant. And this was after years of anovulation and being told by my OB that I would probably require fertility treatments when I was ready to try and conceive. Good luck! BTW, I have had 3 babies in 4 years since using this approach.
L.
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A.W.
answers from
Colorado Springs
on
Hi A., Boy I know this issue personally. My husband and I tried to get pregnant for five years with no sucess. I talked to a midwife telling her of my troubles. My main issue was ovulation. She told me to drink a tea made of Chaste Tree extract, red raspberry leaf, and nettle leaf. I found the Chaste tree stuff to be absolutly AWEFUL tasting! It was a lot easier to get the extract and fill a capsule (sold on the same isle as the extract/leaves) and swollow it that way. Much easier. Then I made a tea out of the leaves from the red raspberry and nettle w/ a touch of honey.
This helped regulate my periods and got me ovulating. I was pregnant the first month. It may have be coincidence or not but was inexpensive and it worked. You need to be aware of your body though because if you do get pregnant you need to not take the chaste tree while pregnant.
After my baby was born we stopped using protection when she was 6 mos and didn't get pregnant again till she turned 2. For the second baby I started using this concoction again as well as the ovulation kit you pee on. We got pregnant right away again. I plan on doing all of this again when we are ready to do baby #3.
I found all of these herbs at Whole foods as well as Vitamin Cottage. The Nettle comes in the liquid form too but the leaf is better tasting. As far as how much to take the bottle of Chaste Tree gives a recommendation and I found that the med-large capsule held the ammt the bottle suggested taking. I made the tea using a tea ball (sold on same isle) filling 1/2 the ball w/ the red raspberry leaf and the other 1/2 w/ nettle leaf, letting it steap in hot water for a about a minute and then drinking it. I only did this once a day however you could do it more if you wanted. The Chaste Tree suggestion is 30-40 drops up to twice a day.
Good luck!
A.
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S.K.
answers from
Denver
on
Ive heard that some people eat really healthy and exercise and it helps their bodies resume to normal. I had a friend that was diagnosed with POS and didnt want medical help and after reading several books she tried to modify her diet and exercised lightly daily and here was her little one that she was told wouldn't happen without medical help. Granted it was 2 years but it did happen.