Natural Ways to Get Pregnant

Should You Detoxify Your Body?

Whether through the environment, our food, or every day household products, we're exposed to a variety of toxins. Some of these can build up in our bodies over time. Toxins called "endocrine disruptors" mimic natural hormones produced by our bodies and can interfere with fertility.

The answer to this question is that many natural health practitioners begin the journey with a body detoxification.

Stress and Infertility

Live a little, laugh a little, love a little -- and get pregnant. That could be the next wave of advice for people who want to conceive, as doctors discover more links between stress and fertility.

You can reduce your body's response to stress in a variety of ways. Which of these do you think sound most relaxing? Therapeutic massage, listening to calming CDs, hypnosis, yoga, acupuncture or taking a daily, relaxing walk? All of these could play big part in promoting conception.

Herbs That Might Help You Conceive

Herbs have been used to promote fertility for thousands of years and can be considered to be a form of "natural fertility medication." The herbs below are often recommended by herbalists to help restore fertility and to promote healthy reproductive systems. Before taking anything, please consult your own healthcare provider.

• Chasteberry works to increase fertility by stimulating the pituitary gland. This is the gland responsible for producing sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Chasteberry might help fertility by balancing the sex hormones.
• Dong Quai is a Chinese fertility herb, used to solve menstrual difficulties. It's said to help balance estrogen levels in the body and improve chances of implantation.
• Licorice contains saponins and has been used to helped women with elevated testosterone and low estrogen levels, as commonly occurs in PCOS. No scientific evidence exists on the effects of licorice on fertility or your menstrual cycles², but the University of Maryland Medical Center website cites licorice's ability to mimic the hormone estrogen in your body. Drugs.com notes that a safe dosage of licorice ranges between 0.2mg and 15g per day.
• Flax Seed Oil is a source of omega-3 fatty acids, an essential fatty acid. It might help with irregular periods.
• Red clover contains estrogen-like compounds that might promote fertility, particularly in women who are deficient in estrogen.

Megan, a pregnancy.org mom-to-be says, "I was having trouble getting pregnant and decided to try a natural approach first. I ate really well, eliminating unhealthy stuff from my diet, exercised and took my vitamins. I switched to organic fruits and vegetables. I went to acupuncture. I even switched to natural house hold cleaners. My baby is due in 14 weeks! Even if these changes didn't help me get pregnant, they gave me a sense of control during a really difficult time."

What methods have you used or did one of the ones we mentioned work for you? Tell us in the comments!

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SOURCES:
1. Dixon, R., Hwang, S. (2011) "Inhibitory Effect of Caffeine on Fallopian Tube Contraction and Role in Delaying Conception."
British Journal of Pharmacology.
2. Licorice (reviewed 2011, July 13) Evidence-based medicine resource is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. downloaded (2012, March 3) from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/881.html

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