My Fertility Practice:
(Skip below to go right into the Yoga Class Series)
When my partner and I decided that we wanted to add a third member to our little family of two, I went into masculine energy “problem solving” mode. At 35, I knew it could take some time and I was eager to do whatever I could on my end to get the party started. Below is every tool I used, that I believe worked for me. Try what feels good and throw out the rest!
I've been tracking my cycle via a paper log that I keep on my fridge for over 10 years now (I like seeing the pattern laid out in front of me and it was helpful for my partner to understand my cycle by seeing it too). I use this print out: https://www.tcoyf.com/downloadable-charts/ (I also highly recommend the book but its pretty dense reading, consider it a reference resource.
I've been using this thermometer for awhile now (to help with my charting) and I like it a lot, it's seems consistent and I haven't had to change the battery yet: Digital Thermometer
I used these to track my ovulation peaks and still have some leftover after we got pregnant (one box was more than enough): Test Strips
Adriana suggested using the app Natural Cycles. I paid for a one year subscription. It switches over to a pregnancy tracker which worked out perfectly because it covered getting pregnant, my pregnancy, and several weeks postpartum (although I went back to my paper chart as soon as the baby was born). They send you a thermometer which I found to be total crap (I had to change the battery twice in like 2 weeks). I went back to my trusted thermometer and input the temp manually, which worked fine. I liked this app because it felt like it was giving me a little more certainty in my own tracking.
When we decided we wanted to begin trying, I started taking a prenatal. After some research, I settled on Thorne. It seemed to have the proper doses of things that were important to me: prenatal vitamin but please do your own research to find one that works best for what you need and want in a prenatal.
Most of this stuff so far is all pretty standard, here are the two things that I personally chose to do that I think really helped:
#1. I started going to acupuncture specifically for fertility. Now this could just be coincidence but I’m being as transparent and honest as I can be: My first appointment was the first week of May, we got pregnant that cycle (this was considered a chemical pregnancy/ early pregnancy loss). I used my July cycle to re-regulate, heal, and relax. I took a break from acupuncture in July and went back in August. Once again we got pregnant that cycle.
#2. Early in the trying process, I started drinking Fertile Mama Tea ... Ironically my acupuncturist suggested the tea and I told her I was already drinking it- she used to work with the woman owner and creator of the company at a Fertility Center... not totally relevant, it just made me feel better about ordering a random tea online. I tried to get my partner to drink the Morning Rooster Tea ... he would occasionally but I drank my tea on schedule according to the directions AND I took some of the baths as well (but that’s because I love baths).
Last thing that my partner swears is what actually did it for us (this one I definitely agree is probably the MOST important): we started using Pre-Seed - you might already know this but regular lubricant actually works as a low key spermicide. I sort of knew this, but didn't think it worked well enough to actually be preventative. I guess it works way more successfully than I realized.... Meanwhile, Pre-Seed actually HELPS you get pregnant, mimicking your ovulation discharge. We didn't use the internal applicator because... yuck, we just bought a few tubes and used them externally like normal lube. We purchased Pre-Seed in April and got pregnant in May.
Oh ps. one more thing I highly recommend, my sister in law suggested this book and it and I totally agree It is definitely worth reading: Expecting Better Book
FERTILITY SACHET
I made mine at the beginning of our process and carried it with me in my jacket pocket.
Sprinkle of Chamomile (You can use loose tea if you’d like)
1 drop Lavender essential oil
I drop Frankincense essential oil
Place in sachet and hold in both hands. Speak any words that feel good, empowering, and heartfelt. Seal the feelings into the sachet. Carry this little bit of magic with you throughout your journey. Burn, Bury, or Flush when you bring baby home.
The words I spoke over my sachet:
You are loved.
You are wanted.
You are welcome to enter my womb now.
FERTILITY AFFIRMATIONS
My perfect egg is combining with perfect sperm to create a perfect embryo that will grow into a perfect baby.
My body was made to carry the perfect baby in the perfect time.
My body knows how to do this.
PLAY YOUR OWN PLAYLIST AS YOU MOVE OR LISTEN TO THE
WOMEN’S WISDOM PLAYLIST ON SPOTIFY!
This phase starts when an egg from the previous cycle isn’t fertilized. The uterus sheds it’s inner lining of soft tissue and blood vessels which exit the body from the vagina in the form of menstrual fluid. The key here is gentle, downward movement to support release.
During this phase, the pituitary gland in the brain releases a hormone to stimulate the production of follicles on the surface of the ovary. Usually, only one follicle will mature into an egg (which is released during ovulation).
If you are in the process of trying to conceive, we want to use this time to support the natural process of egg development and rev up our sex drive. We want to increase blood flow and movement in the sacral region / hips and heat things up a bit.
Now that our ovulation phase is here, we want to support the natural process of egg release. If you are in the process of trying to conceive, we also want to continue to encourage our sex drive. To make both of those things happen, we’ll engage in deep, slow, methodical movement.
During the final phase of your cycle, the uterine lining thickens. If you are in the process of trying to conceive, a healthy, thick uterine lining is imperative for offering a fertilized egg a place to attach. During this phase, we want to move in poses that support building strength and settle into moments of rest and relaxation.