Big Fat Negative!!!!

Let's face it, getting a BIG FAT NEGATIVE - sucks!!! REALLY sucks!!! It can tear down a wall of hope faster than a battering ram! Crush the seed of longing and make you feel like crawling into bed never to emerge again. Have faith my friend. It can seem like an eternity when you are waiting for the positive sign to materialize. If it doesn't, have your moment of grief, relish in it even. Then wipe the tears away and begin the cycle again. That's the beauty of it, there's always tomorrow.

How's Your Health?

Seriously? How's your health?

One of the best things you can do to boost your fertility chances is to be in GOOD health. Eat a healthy diet consisting of organic, whole foods as close as they come from the earth as possible. Cut the processed stuff out of your diet. Eat less sugar. You'll find that just eating healthy will give you greater energy and boost your overall mood. Not to mention that most of us could always stand to loose a few pounds! Weight loss is an excellent way to promote regular ovulation as well.
Exercise regularly to boost your fertility. Even if you don't have time to hit the gym daily there are many ways to squeeze in subtle exercise into your daily routine. If you work in an office there are many "desk workouts" available on you tube. Other ways to work in exercise: walking, ballet warm ups at the kitchen counter while preparing dinner, yoga, dancing.
On my journey, this is one of the last things that I worked on and it should have been the first. I found that when I started eating the right foods and cutting out soda, chips, processed foods, fast food (which was tough for me - I love my McDonald's!), and caffeine, and started exercising daily - I started ovulating and conceived!
So, the moral of the story? Before you attempt all the medical fertility interventions...ask yourself how's my health? If it's not that great, then make getting healthy a priority - you may find that you fall pregnant while focusing on your health!

Relax

Relax

Those dreaded words that are so NOT welcome when you are trying to conceive…”you’re worrying about it too much!” Or “if you just relax, it would happen!” and my all-time-favorite: “give it time!” Although it is not what you want to hear when you are in the thick of it, there is credibility to the notion of relaxation promoting fertility.

We all know that stress can be detrimental to many body functions, including fertility and conception. Unfortunately, stress and anxiety usually go hand-in-hand with trying to conceive, so, to remove it from the equation fully, is virtually impossible. However, you can find ways to decrease your stress levels drastically.

Think about how you feel when you are stressed…your muscles are tense, everything feels tight and constricted. Well, this is how your reproductive organs respond to stress as well! Your cervix will be tight and closed and your cervical mucus, which is needed to allow sperm into your uterus, will dry up! When you are relaxed, everything is loose and open, including your reproductive organs!

For me, relaxation was not obtained easily as I tend towards being a high strung personality! I found Reiki, a form of hands-on energy work that promotes relaxation and stress relief. I enjoyed it so much that I became a Reiki practitioner and would perform self-treatments and also treatments on my husband. I would also go to the local wellness center and get some form of bodywork done monthly, whether it be an herbal facial, a massage or foot reflexology; it was such an important part of my journey to fertility.

Find enjoyable ways to promote relaxation and decrease the stress in your life on a daily basis. If massage or reflexology is not for you, try some yoga or breathing exercises. Hang out in a hammock and curl up with a good book! Do whatever you feel comfortable with. Try to leave work stress at the door, and make your home as relaxing as possible. If money is an issue, which for most of us nowadays it is, try having a nightly relaxation time with your partner. Exchange 10-15 minute massages before bed. Go for a sunset stroll. Whatever it is that relaxes you, DO IT! Consider keeping a relaxation journal to help you stay on track. Jot down what techniques you used for the day and how they helped you. This way, if you are having a particularly stress-ridden day, you can revisit the journal and chose from a variety of things.

If you cannot relax, conception will be a challenge. It’s the harsh reality of it. So, find some time for yourself every day, even if it’s only to stop and take some mindful breaths. It will work wonders for your soul and just may be the thing you need to conceive!

Some helpful links:

http://www.infertilitymindbody.com/relaxation.htm

http://www.fitnesstransform.com/relaxation_techniques.php

The Journey

Each journey will be distinctive. Some couples may consciously start trying to conceive and it may only take one try; others may try for years with much difficulty and heartache. The bottom line is that it is YOUR journey. You cannot equate your situation to that of others. You have to find the resolution that is best suited to you.

This will be one of the most important journeys of your lifetime. Embrace the steps along your path…open your heart to accept each day as it comes and try not to worry about what tomorrow will bring. It will unfold as it is meant to.