So this post is sort of a review but mainly for personal interest as well as for the sake of boredom. Id like to point out right away that this information is strictly unsupported and could be false due to lack of medical foundation, however some women in the TTC community will SWARE by some of these remedies. Do not try these remedies unless you have consulted your own Doctor. There is a combo of medicinal and non-medicinal treatments. For me this is just fun. I do not claim that any of this is going to guarantee you a pregnancy! [jus saying :)]
Mini background on me...
I am in my 6th cycle of active TTC, 0 pregnancies thus far. I have tried temping, timed intercourse, and use of OPKs. I have 2 sons currently ages 10 and 2. DH and I are both 26 years old this year. Some of the remedies I have tried, will try and just have heard/known about.
Non-Medicinal Remedies
Pre-Seed
Lubricant!!!!!!!!! A much loved TTC product found here. Most of the time lubs are frowned upon simply because the can stop sperm from moving to the uterus and significantly decrease motility of the sperm. Saliva will also have the same affect so its a big no-no as well. Pre-seed wont do this, it helps the sperm along and is safe. Lubs are pretty self explanatory but head over to there site for more info. Sometimes out CM just isn't favourable so this can boost the chances! I am using this one FOR SURE and am actually awaiting my package :D so excited!
Grapefruit Juice
The theory here is that Grapefruit juice helps with the quality and quantity of CM (cervical mucus). Its a debated remedy with many views. It cant hurt you - heck the fluid intake and vitamins can help! I tried to do this :( I took one sip and poor Kamden was frightened by all the lovely faces I had made LOL I even offered him a taste but he wasnt having that! An unscholorly sheet all about grapefruit juice as it relates to fertility here.
Lemon Juice
Add to your tea! Helps regulate the Ph of the vagina. Less acidity = environment which wont kill sperm! Lemon Juice info!
Pineapple
This one is for after ovulation!! It apparently helps with implantation!! With this you need to know that it must be eaten in large quantities and its the core which had the goods. Bromelain is an enzyme which acts similar to asprin. It thins the blood, increases blood flow and make a good uterine environment for implantation. Must not be canned, must be fresh and non-cooked. Its hard to find concrete info on this as I originally head it from a TTCer who will be going through IVF (the pineapple thing is popular among those doing IVF and IUI!) Here is one personal opinion but you can also research Bromelain. I stole this from my friend who told me about this - no clue where the info came from so sorry about that:
Using Pineapple to Assist Implantation: Pineapple contains bromelain. Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme that breaks up proteins that inhibit embryo implantation. Consuming a whole pineapple (focusing on the core as it has the highest concentration of Bromelain) during a fertility cycle can be beneficial.
For IVF [in vitro fertilization] cycle: one pineapple, divided into 5 portions - consume one portion each day, over five days, beginning on the day of your embryo transfer.
...
IUI [intra-uterine insemination] cycle: one pineapple, divided into 5 portions - consume one portion each day, over five days, beginning on the day of your IUI.
Timed intercourse cycle: one pineapple, divided into 5 portions - consume one portion each day, over five days, beginning on the day after ovulation.
Note: Be careful not to start consuming pineapple too early in the cycle. Beginning to consume pineapple BEFORE the recommended days above can actually affect your vaginal and cervical mucus PH, making it more acidic.
ALSO - I have a story about the pineapple. When i was preggo with DS2 and was late in my pregnancy, we were sharing old wives tales for starting labour. One was to eat a whole pineapple in the hopes it will soften the cervix. Well i DID it - i was about 38-39 weeks pregnant and was shocked when my water broke early and less then 24 hours after i ate it!!! shocked! I blame it on the pineapple to this day!!!
Instead SoftCps
Originally made for the an alternative to tampons and pads for a women's menses. The small cup is inserted into the vagina and prevent blood from passing through. Some GENIUS thought up the idea to use it to hold sperm close to the cervix after intercourse. Apparently 20 mins post-BD is all that's needed but can be used from up to 12 hours! The only complaint I have read online is that it can be messy to take out. Not a big deal to me! I am doing this one.... a box of 6 bought for $6-$7 from early-pregnancy-tests.com {i bought mine in a promo for the pre-seed and cups combo which made my purchase eligible for free shipping!} Info on softcups here
Charting, Temping, OPKing
All help to determine ovulation, nothing more, nothing less.
Positions!
Yes I'm talking about sex. This site says missionary. Of coarse there is nothing proving this and its completely unfounded. The theory is that this position is excellent for depositing the sperm right at the cervix! Also propping the hips after sex - again controversial. Clearly you not do these things and still get pregnant but hey every...little...bit....helps! already doing this one!
Water!
What!? so simple!? YES! Stole this from this site! It just says everything i want to say about water!! {i will be doing this one}
"Drink plenty of water. At least 8 to 10 glasses a day. I can't stress this enough, this is one of the best tips for getting pregnant faster. Being thoroughly hydrated makes your whole body function most optimally, let alone your reproductive and endocrine systems. Hydration also increases your cervical mucus, which is vital to getting pregnant. Water just makes everything work better so drink up.
Read more: http://www.thefertilityrealm.com/tips-for-getting-pregnant.html#ixzz1xcHtZIhN
Medicinal Remedies - Over the counter medications
Robitussin (Guaifensin)
This one i plan to try this cycle, in fact its staring at me from my desk right now. When you use this is must be plain ol', nothing added, Guaifenesin. Common brand: Robitussin Syrup. What this is supposed to do is thin you cervical mucus - in theory making it more fertile. Thin mucus= fertile mucus = easier for sperm to travel into the uterus. Click here for a report on a study done with this drug - all of the info can be found at said link. The best time to start this treatment is on CD 5 (should be after your menses has ceased) and is used 3 times a day at 200mg per dose until ovulation. You do NOT have to buy name brands for this - just be sure that the only active ingredient in the med is Guaifenesin and definitely make sure there are no decongestants in the med as they can dry out the Cervical Mucus. A glass of water should be taken with this remedy!
Vitamin C
If you have hormone level problems, this can help regulate hormone levels - click here for more info. I will not be trying this one because it can cause hostile cervical mucus due to acid nature of Vit C. In men vitamin C can aid in sperm counts! This is one of the remedies not to be tried unless given the okay from a doctor, high amounts of vitamin C can cause problems!
Baby Aspirin
This remedy is for those who experience spontaneous abortions/miscarriages. It helps to stop the clotting of blood and helps to sustain a pregnancy. I will not be using this remedy as I do not have issues with sustaining a pregnancy. More info... Never take aspirin for fertility without speaking with your doctor. Doses of aspirin can be extremely dangerous and can cause to much thinning of the blood!
All of the info in this post has come from all sorts of resources, all have been highlighted and linked within the posts. Id like to say that this by no means the only wives tale remedies but are ones i find most interesting!!! Ill update in a future post on my finding with the ones i have chosen to do!
***EDIT*** im sneaking this one in... I was cooking dinner just now and notice a giant bag of baby carrots i bought, how could i forget to include them :) Carrots are a huge source of vitamin A - which aids in quality CM - much like some of the other remedies! gonna be trying this one for sure. I also tried my grapefruit juice again.... its not happing!! :( tastes like death :(
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