Yes, there might be more standing between you and your desire to conceive than what the medical reports show! Apart from PCOS aka Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, hormonal imbalances, endometriosis, anovulatory cycles, physical blockage, high levels of prolactin, a short luteal phase, lack of lutenizing hormone, inadequate hormone production and/or other bodily/medical complications, there are a number of other factors affecting your ability to conceive naturally. Some of these involve poor nutrition, environmental toxins, and certain lifestyle habits. These factors can be modulated at home, thereby ousting certain roadblocks in your path to conception. These home remedies for pregnancy not only prove to be a boon to augment fertility and bolster your chances to get pregnant by natural means but also address several other issues such as PMS, cramps, fatigue, heavy bleeding and/or other related areas of concern in women.
Image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
While Science hasn’t exactly given a thumbs-up to home remedies in most cases, home remedies for pregnancy has sure received the green card. The reasons for these are multifold- most home remedies for pregnancy are rooted in scientific basis for conception and not only bolster one’s sex drive (higher frequency= higher chances) but also root out adverse lifestyle habits such as consumption of caffeine, drugs, alcohol and promote copulation before ovulation by using a well-drawn diet chart and a predictor kit, instead of the calendar method. As such, we’ve drawn a list of home remedies that shall help women to conceive quicker, naturally:
Suggested read: 7 important things to consider when you get a pregnancy scare
1. Diet remedies
Image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
You need to understand that your body needs ample nutrition to allow for conception. If you are under-nourished and do not have a healthy mix of nutrients required to allow for conception and sustain it, your body is going to trump your chances. So- opt for a good mix of carbs, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins and fiber in your diet. Your body needs everything to be able to function in an optimal manner for conception.
Start with putting enough carbohydrates in. Your body-machine needs them to keep chugging along. Do not, however, opt for sugar, grains or processed foods. Go for vegetables, fruits and starchy sources like sweet potatoes, taro root, squash, chickpeas, bananas, mangoes and legumes. Take to fat by going in for optimal levels of saturated fat that reduces lipoprotein and keeps your heart and bones healthy. In fact, your lungs, liver, nerves, brain and immune system all need fats to function. During conception, fatty acids are needed to regulate hormones, increase the uterine blood flow, reduce sensitivity to prolactin (that suppresses ovulation), increase the egg white cervical mucus and keep the ovulation cycle normal. However, do not take to fried foods, processed foods or refined oil to get your daily dose of fat. Keep it natural by opting for coconuts, olives, coconut oil, nuts, olive oil, eggs, grass-fed meats and avocado. For your protein share, stick to poultry, eggs, lean meat, dairy, fish, legumes, nuts and seeds and wheatgerm.
Image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
Apart from these, you must supplement your diet with healthy veggies like dark leafy greens (think spinach, romaine, arugula, and broccoli) that are a rich source of folate and Vitamin B that bolster ovulation as well as sex drive. Maca root is known to augment fertility by boosting energy levels and immunity and supplying the body with essential nutrients like iron and iodine. Yams go on the list too. Of course, you need to remain hydrated so as to be able to up your chances at conception. A lack of sufficient water in your system may prevent the attachment of the sperm to the cervical mucus, while on the journey to the egg.
You may do well to avoid soy, caffeine, alcohol, sugar and fish rich in mercury content (think marlin, orange roughy, tilefish, swordfish, shark, king mackarel, ahi and bigeye tuna).
2. Herbal remedies
Herbal remedies to increase one’s chances for conception include the use of:
- Raspberry leaves– These are rich sources of flavonoids, tannins, and elagic acid that bolster fertility and have high nutrient value. They are also good sources of calcium and can be used to concoct tea that is more beneficial than other variants. Pour hot water over dried raspberry leaves and bring the whole concoction to a boil by covering the pan. Add honey and stir the mixture before straining it out and consuming it. You can have the tea 2-3 times a day.
- Nettle leaf– Stinging nettle leaves have a high nutrient value and a cup of warm nettle tea not only acts as a great stress buster but also serves as an optimal uterine tonic. You can steam and eat these in salads and pastas, add them to soups and stews or get them in the form of extracts and capsules.
- Alfafa– As a herb, not only is Alfafa a rich source of Vitamins A, D, E and K with eight digestive enzymes but it also contains phytoestrogen that helps to balance estrogen levels in your body. However, do not ingest too much of alfafa as it can deplete essential minerals like calcium and magnesium from the body. Simply, add alfafa sprouts to your salad or pasta to derive maximum benefit.
3. Lifestyle remedies
Image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
Adjusting your lifestyle habits can help improve your chances at conceiving. Start by quitting smoking as women who smoke take longer to get pregnant alongside becoming susceptible to the risk of producing eggs prone to genetic abnormalities. Smoking also elevates the risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. The father also needs to give up the habit as he may be lowering his sperm count and motility besides subjecting his sperm to abnormalities.
Sleep plays a pivotal part in conception as well. Without a good night’s sleep, a body does not regulate adrenaline, cortisol and insulin levels whilst also impacting the melatonin and serotonin levels and in turn, the luteal phase. The whole act of sleep deprivation makes conception more complicated and difficult.
Suggested read: How to eat right during pregnancy
Safeguarding yourself against toxins also becomes integral to fool proofing your conception chances. Quit drug use, alcohol consumption and caffeine. Reduce exposure to plastic products, toxic metals, chemicals, pollutants, allergens and/or other toxins that may interfere with your cycle. You also need to keep away from stress as stress interferes with ovulation, oftentimes delaying or preventing it altogether.
Certain medications like antibiotics, antidepressants, pain-relievers, narcotics and steroids may also come in the way of conception.
We hope these shall help you bring a li’l bundle of joy into your life!
Featured image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
Facebook
Disqus
Google + 
