Your body has an innate natural potential to create a healthy baby. All you need to do is put it in the right place, physically, emotionally and mentally, and even spiritually.
Too often, in this day and age, we are busy doing. If we struggle to become pregnant, we can become busy “focusing on our infertility” and trying to control everything.
This is why it is important to stop, to feel what you are feeling now and to trust in the process. The heart must connect with the womb for life to occur.
From a Chinese Medicine perspective, when your mind, body and spirit are healthy and in balance, your body is in it’s most natural state to be fertile.
Our role as Chinese Medicine Practitioners is that of a facilitator in this process. The way we ascertain how to help you conceive may include us asking questions about your sleep patterns, energy levels, digestion, menstrual cycle patterns if you have pain, your level of stress and other behaviours. In addition, we take your pulse, look at your tongue, skin, hair and other physical and mental attributes. This gives us an overall picture of the direction for your treatment plan. Chinese herbal formulas are generally required, and it is especially important to treat both female and male partners, unless you are a sole parent going through ART.
There is a Chinese saying, ‘Cultivate the soil before you plant the seed’. You need to tend to the soil and create a healthy environment so that conception can occur. With respect to fertility, cultivating the soil means giving the body, ovaries, sperm and uterine lining all the nutrients and lifestyle requirements needed for the embryo to implant and begin life.
To assist you on your fertility journey I have put together 5 Easy Practices that you can implement at home to complement your Chinese medicine treatment plan:
1.Get Adequate Sleep
The quality and quantity of your sleep affect your fertility. While we sleep our bodies rejuvenate, grow, repair cells and regulate hormones. Alternatively, poor sleep can alter circadian rhythms, affect your fertility hormones, and disrupt your menstrual cycle and ovulation.
Where possible:
• Start a relaxing bedtime routine
• Be consistent with your sleep routine – go to bed and get up at the same time each day
• Switch off mobile phones, T.V, computers and all electronic devices 2 hours prior to sleep
• Keep your bedroom as dark as possible
• Avoid working night shifts
2. De-Stress
The management of stress is critical for women trying to conceive.
Modern life moves so quickly, and we rarely take the time to stop and re-connect. This is not the way the body is intended to thrive!
Reducing stress through mindfulness techniques and exercises such as walking or activities that bring you joy are an integral part of your fertility journey.
3. A Healthy, Nutritional Diet
Implement a healthy, nutritional diet to give your body it’s best chance. As the saying goes “You are what you eat!” This is extremely important for your fertility health to enhance egg and sperm quality.
Protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats are all imperative to include in your diet for hormonal health. In addition, limiting the consumption of caffeine and alcohol is also recommended (abstinence is best).
Maintaining a healthy body weight is also particularly important – being overweight or underweight can have a significant impact on fertility.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, depending on what type of pattern you present with will determine what dietary guidelines are recommended to best suit your fertility needs.
4. Aim For A Work/Life Balance
Overwork is a growing problem and can impact both female and male health and fertility. Through a Chinese medicine lens, working too much is thought to deplete Qi, blood, Kidney yin and Jing-essence.
Many of us struggle with achieving a healthy work/life balance, especially in a society that rewards us for over-working. Don’t be afraid to create healthy boundaries in this area of your life – your mind and body will thank you for it in the long run!
5. Exercise
Exercise releases endorphins which are the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, and when they are released your mood is boosted naturally. As well as contributing to your overall good health, exercise is also a great stress reliever.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, moderate exercise moves Qi and blood, thereby calming the emotions. And when practiced appropriately, mindful exercises such as yoga, Tai chi, Qigong and meditation cultivate Qi and therefore tend to benefit fertility.
Conversely, vigorous exercises can deplete the vital substances – Qi and blood, and if continued long term, Jing-essence.
Chinese medicine diagnosis can also tailor exercise regimes to best suit your specific fertility requirements.
To find out more or if you would like to talk to me about how I can support you in your fertility journey, please don’t hesitate to be in touch at https://florenceandjoy.com/mor/
Dr. Juanita Fuchs (Acupuncturist)