Herbs, Vitamins, Routines and why this WILL be our cycle!

I'm both surprised that I am not blogging more about trying to conceive, and surprised I am blogging at all about it. There isn't much to say for much of the cycle, but it fills my mind and heart constantly, so I thought it is fine time for another rambling about making our sweet vegan love child ;) 

This is cycle number 7, lucky number seven and this will be our cycle. 

I'm filling myself with positivity, haven't ever googled the words infertility, am filled with joy, hope and light around my perfectly functioning body. 

I'm on cycle day 8 of OUR cycle. Just started recording my cervical mucous and cervical position again. You can follow along on my chart here. This is day 208 of our beautiful journey in becoming parents. We are both equally longing and hopeful for this cycle. We are even 'arguing' over a girls name, which really is us both agreeing both names are beautiful and strong, and which one the first born girl should have, and which the second. 

This will be our cycle, because I spent money on Pre-Seed and it most likely will not arrive until after I ovulate. 

I'm sure you are sick of hearing me talk about our supplements, but as this is our journey and my blog, I'm going to go through them yet again. I see this being a place to look back on when trying to conceive number two to see exactly what worked this cycle. 

 

I ran out of my bulk raspberry leaf, and haven't been taking it very much at all since starting our journey. I picked up a box of Traditional Medicines raspberry leaf and had forgotten they staple their tea bags. I cut off the staple, pop it into a wood cellulose T-sac, add nettles, peppermint, spearmint, and rose hips.  

 

Filling veg caps with maca. We are both taking them this cycle. Maca is really an amazing super food (Peruvian root vegetable). It is said to increase libido, regulate hormones levels, increase sperm production, increase cervical mucous, and generally increase energy levels. Many people love the taste, but I can't swallow it so we capsule it. 

 

Recycled jam jar with maca caps. I find capsules easily take on flavour, so I keep them sealed well now, instead of just in the baggy I purchase them in. 

 

Blurry image, sorry about that. Taking good fats in the source of EFA oil. The Borage oil is for the GLA (Gamma-Linolenic Acid) which is why many woman take evening primerose oil, but I couldn't find a vegan capsule locally. Borage oil contains 500mg per 1/2tsp of oil, so it's quite concentrate. Tastes lovely. GLA improves 'egg white' cervical mucous which is the type you want for getting pregnant. GLA also is turned into Prostaglandin E1 in the body, which is anti-inflammatory and helps with lower blood pressure, aches and cramps. Many women are familiar with how prostaglandins help in late pregnancy. 

 

Agnus Castus (Chaste Berry or Vitex) is an herb supplement that is well known for helping with fertility. I always assumed Agnus Castus was for PCOS or for people with fertility issues. It can help lengthen the LP phase of your cycle (post ovulation, should be 10 days or longer for optimal chances at holding a pregnancy) & stabilize and regular hormone levels. This is a slower working herb, and results aren't immediate. I'm taking 1ml once or twice per day, which is 250mg a dose. At first I was doing twice per day, but feel that that might be too much to start with. 

 

Folic Acid - helps prevent neutral tube defects. I've been taking this for ages.
 
B12 - just added this yesterday after someone(spam bot) left a comment saying deficency in B12 could results in loss of pregnancy. Being vegan, we should be taking it anyways. I love the mood boost I get from it. 
 
Zinc - another great general fertility vitamin for both males and females. In males, zinc is used to make the outer layer and tail of the sperm. In males helps sperm counts. In females, I believe it helps with cell devision. 
Robert will takes 23mg (the recommended 15-30mg) through the supplement and a multi vitamin. 
 
Calcium - not shown.

 

This is the only multi vitamin I will take. It's organic and made from cultured whole food sources, ie not synthetic. This means it breaks down easily and your body can use the vitamins available much more easily. It is the only vitamin I don't get an upset belly from (although, I still cannot take it on an empty stomach like they say you can). In addition to normal vitamins found in a multi, it also contains; agnus castus, maca, artichoke, red clover, raspberry leaf and nettles. For immunity it has elderberry, shitake, reishi, maitake and cordyceps (mushrooms). Also contains soy lecithin, turmeric, ginger, spinach and blueberry.
They are more expensive than synthetic vitamins, but with having these, I know that I am taking them in well. They also have an amazing pre-natal that I was taking for a while, but couldn't afford it without being pregnant. I will switch to them shortly ;)

 

Because, we all know, that with trying to conceive, you are having loads of fun in the bedroom. It left me with a UTI last cycle, and this in conjunction with apple cider vinegar helped clear it right up. I now take them as preventative.   

 

Raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar. Whilst not really for fertility itself, it helps with health in general and I've included it part of our trying to conceive routine. I love this stuff. I take it warm or cold in a glass of water. Helps with heartburn, my acid reflux, can work wonders for a vaginal infection although I've never had one to try it on, helps with said UTIs by keeping your bladder/urethra acidic. I use it as hair conditioner too. And on stubborn acne/mild toner diluted with water. 

 

Castor oil compresses. I try to do this 6 times per cycle. Fill a hot water bottle (or even better a heating pad) to as hot as you can get it. Fully soak a small piece of cloth in castor oil. This stuff is thick and messy, so use a small bowl to mix it up in and have some soap ready to wash it off your hands. Lie down and place the castor oil cloth on your low abdomen, cover with plastic (I use a facecloth to cover, but the oil soaks through it onto the hot water bottle), put the hot water bottle on top and rest and relax for at least 30 minutes, the longer the better. You can reuse the castor oil cloth for a long time, just add a little more oil if it feels it needs it. 
I also do a 'fertility massage' in the shower with castor oil. I found it on youtube, basically just spiral around your abdomen starting with small circles at the navel and moving outwards and back. Helps with 'congestion' and circulation to the area.
These compresses can apparently shrink fibroids and other serious stuff. Some people say that heat during TTC is bad for your eggs, but I'm just not that cautious, imagine, I even bathe ;) 

 
  

And for the luck of the Irish (I am a Morrisey after all!), a shamrock under my pillow (and a basal body thermometer  if anyone is looking).

I'm also listening to some relaxation for childbirth and positive affirmations. Speaking to our baby as if s/he is here already. And drinking loads of water and sleeping well. I will most likely up the green tea intake and maybe some robitussin again if I can stomach it, closer to ovulation. 

Keep tuned for a two-week-wait blog on my feelings about this cycle, and the photo of our BFP (big fat positive)! 

Comments

[Julie]

Hooray! Very much looking forward to your BFP photo!!
xoxo

[AmberS]

I took maca while I was conceiving my 2nd at my naturopath's recommendation, and I was SO GLAD when she told me I could go off it. I had it in liquid form and I didn't like it at all. Next time I will definitely ask about capsules, because that sounds much better.

And I'm thinking good thoughts for you!

[Amber Morrisey]

@AmberS When I saw you write 'next time' I giggled with excitement.

[Alex]

I've been following your blog for a while now and I find it to be so honest, thoughtful yet simple- thank you. My husband and I followed a similiar "plan" with the supplements this time last year and now we have a wee three month old.
Just wanted to say good luck this cycle, October babies are wonderful!

[Amber Morrisey - Birth Doula]

Thank you @Alex, I'm an October baby and love it! And my Husband is an early November baby, and it is also very nice, although not as perfect as October.

I'm glad you are enjoying my blog. That makes me so pleased.

[Jaclyn Swallom (laterleigh)]

YAY Amber!

This sysle it is!

[Jaclyn Swallom (laterleigh)]

Sorry- cycle... I had a helper while typing

[Kara]

Amber, can't wait to hear your big announcement!