If the stress of trying to conceive is bringing you down, natural treatment options can give you a boost. Fertility Centers of Illinois works in conjunction with Pulling Down the Moon to offer a wide array of options.
Not only can natural treatment options decrease stress – they can help you get pregnant. In a Harvard study, 55 percent of women who participated in mind and body programs got pregnant, compared to 20 percent who did not.
5 Benefits of Natural Treatment:
- Increases blood flow to the uterus and ovaries
- Strengthens uterine lining
- Equalizes stress hormones
- Improves sperm count, motility and morphology
- Encourages relaxation, mental clarity and mindfulness
Natural treatment options can come in many forms:
Acupuncture
Not only is acupuncture known to increase blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, it can also thicken uterine lining. Acupuncture can also decrease pelvic pain and provide relief from bloating. For those who become pregnant, acupuncture can lessen symptoms of nausea. Relaxation and normalization of stress hormones are also proven benefits of acupuncture.
Chinese Diet Therapy
Changing diet can boost energy and wellbeing, and also help cut down extra weight. Research shows that a 5 percent decrease in weight loss for those who are overweight can help regulate menstrual cycles, aid in ovulation, and decrease the risk of gestational diabetes and hypertension during pregnancy. Chinese Dietary Therapy includes the use of a variety of new inclusions in dietary patterns as well as the elimination of some foods that are more prevalent in Western diets. Among the additions might be herbal teas and non-processed fruits and vegetables. The exclusions are foods like refined sugar and flour as well as highly processed foods or foods with high sodium content.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
While patients are never given herbal supplements leading up to or during an IVF cycle, these supplements can lessen the stress and symptoms associated with fertility treatment. Herbalists conduct a comprehensive exam then prescribe a formula. Herbalists consider 400 herbs that can come in the form of flowers, roots, or berries, when prescribing a formula. Formulas can come in the form of a tea, pills, tincture, granules or topical solutions such as lotions and poultices.
Meditation & Breathing Techniques
Utilizing calming breathing techniques calms down the sympathetic nervous system and increases blood flow to the uterus. Even small amounts of meditation, such as 10 minutes per day, gives the mind space and provides clarity, calm, and mindfulness.
Massage
Tui Na massage dates back 4700 years, making it the forefather of all forms of massage and body work that exist today. Unlike other forms of massage, Tui Na treats specific internal illnesses, making it the most effective form of massage for infertility.
Yoga
Taking time to build a yoga practice releases tension and stress, strengthens the body, encourages hormone production and increases blood flow. Specific poses, such as the lotus pose, child’s pose, reclining hero and seated forward bend can specifically help boost fertility by targeting specific parts of the body or calming the body and mind.
