Home Remedies to Help You Conceive

“A mother does not become pregnant in order to provide employment to medical people. Giving birth is an ecstatic jubilant adventure not available to males. It is a woman’s crowning creative experience of a lifetime.”– John Stevenson

Getting pregnant is one of the most enriching and soul-satisfying experiences in a woman’s life. If you and your partner have made the decision to try for a baby, you want it to happen as soon as possible!

For some women, getting pregnant is easy, while it may take time for others. On average, a woman will become pregnant within the first six months of trying to conceive.

Once you have decided to bring a new life into this world, you need to see a doctor. Many things need to be taken care of while trying to conceive.

From your ovulation to your partner’s sperm quality, from your diet to other lifestyle choices, everything contributes to fertility as well as reducing the risk of a miscarriage.

If you have been struggling to get pregnant, some simple lifestyle changes and useful home remedies may help increase your chance of conceiving and prevent miscarriages.

Here are the top 10 home remedies to help you conceive.

1. Pomegranate

Pomegranate boosts fertility in women by increasing blood flow to the uterus and thickening the uterine lining. It even helps the healthy development of the fetus. In addition, it helps boost sperm quality in men.

• Make fine powders of pomegranate seeds and bark. Mix them in equal quantities and store it in an airtight jar. Take ½ teaspoon of this mixture with a glass of warm water twice daily for several weeks to boost your fertility level.
• Drink a glass of pomegranate juice daily.

2. Olive Oil

When undergoing infertility treatment, olive oil is a good remedy to increase your chance of getting pregnant. Intake of monounsaturated fat present in olive oil is associated with reproductive health.

According to a 2010 study presented at the annual meeting of ESHRE (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology), researchers found that higher intake of monounsaturated fat, the main fat in olive oil, was related to higher odds of live birth in women having in vitro fertilization (IVF).

• Eat 1 to 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil daily to boost fertility.
• You can also use extra-virgin olive oil for cooking and for making healthy salad dressings or dips.

3. Maca Root

This hormone-balancing herb contains fertility and vitality promoting properties. It helps balance the estrogen and progesterone in women, which in turn boosts fertility.

In addition, its high iron content may be particularly important to women prior to conception. Maca root also helps improve sperm count and motility.

• Mix ¼ to ½ teaspoon of maca root powder in a cup of water and drink it once daily.
• You can also take this herb in supplement form after consulting your doctor.

Note: Do not take this herb during pregnancy.

4. Dates

According to Ayurveda, dates help increase your chance of getting pregnant. They are rich in vital vitamins and minerals that are good for fertility.

1. Remove the seeds from 10 to 12 dates.
2. Grind them with 2 tablespoons of chopped coriander root to form a paste.
3. Add ¾ cup of cow’s milk to the paste and boil it.
4. Drink it once daily for 7 days from the date of your last period.

You can also include dates in your diet. They make healthy snacks.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

Some health practitioners recommend apple cider vinegar for infertility. It flushes toxins out of the body and helps balance hormones.

Though it is acidic in nature, it has an alkalinizing effect in the body. It helps maintain an alkaline pH in both your saliva and your vaginal environment to facilitate conception.

In addition, it helps treat candida that may lead to infertility.

• Add 2 teaspoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and a small amount of raw honey to a glass of water and drink it twice daily.
• You can even add 1 cup of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to your bathwater and soak in it for 20 to 30 minutes daily before going to bed.

6. Stress Management

When going through the emotions of fertility difficulties, it is important to manage stress as it affects fertility.

Women with high levels of alpha-amylase, an enzyme that correlates with stress, have a harder time getting pregnant. This enzyme delays ovulation and affects your reproductive cycle.

You can reduce stress by practicing relaxation techniques, such as acupuncture, meditation, massage therapy, reading self-help books or listening to soothing, soft music with guided imagery.

7. Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency may cause infertility and miscarriage, so get your levels checked before planning to conceive. According to a 2010 study published in the Molecular Nutrition and Food Research journal, this vitamin is important for pregnancy as well as for giving birth to a healthy baby.

Also, a 2011 study published in the journal Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental showed that vitamin D deficiency is associated with metabolic risk factors in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which causes irregular ovulation.

• As sunlight aids vitamin D production in the body, expose your body to early morning sunlight for about 10 minutes daily.
• Eat foods high in vitamin D like salmon, cheese, egg yolks, some mushrooms (grown in ultraviolet light) and foods fortified with vitamin D.
• Take vitamin D supplements after consulting a doctor.

8. Folic Acid

Folic acid is an important vitamin for those who are trying to conceive. It helps cell division and promotes ovulation. In fact, health experts recommend taking this vitamin before and during pregnancy.

• Take folic acid supplements (typically 400 mcg) daily for at least 1 month before you conceive and through your first trimester. Talk to your doctor about how much you need before and after you conceive.
• You can also eat foods rich in folic acid, such as dark green leafy vegetables, broccoli, avocado, raisins, beans and lentils.

9. Chasteberry

The herb chasteberry, also called vitex, is another effective home remedy for getting pregnant. It helps improve ovulation and hormonal imbalance in the body that may be delaying pregnancy. In addition, it helps combat PCOS, one of the leading causes behind female infertility.

You can easily find this herb in the market in different forms like dried berry, capsules, or tincture. For proper dosage and suitability, consult your doctor.

10. Stinging Nettle

Many herbalists recommend stinging nettle for those planning to conceive because it works as a powerful uterine tonic. This herb is rich in minerals that are good for your body. In addition, it helps reduce stress, which in turn increases your chance of getting pregnant.

• Mix 1 tablespoon of dried stinging nettle in 1 cup of hot water. Cover and steep for 5 minutes. Strain, add a little honey and drink it. Drink 2 to 3 cups of this herbal tea daily.
• You can also take nettle supplements after consulting your doctor.

Note: Do not take stinging nettle during pregnancy.

Additional Tips

• Try to maintain a healthy weight, as being overweight or underweight can make it difficult for you to conceive.
• Regular exercise like walking, jogging or swimming will help keep you fit and active.
• Avoid doing too much intense aerobic activity, which may inhibit ovulation and reduce production of the hormone progesterone.
• Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine.
• Stop smoking to increase your chance of getting pregnant and giving birth to a healthy baby.
• Keep an eye on your basal body temperature to determine your ovulation time and plan accordingly.
• You can even consider acupuncture to raise the likelihood of getting pregnant.
• Avoid using lubricants during intercourse, as they may reduce your chance of conceiving.
• Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables as well as foods rich in iron, calcium, B vitamins, selenium and folate. All are essential for reproductive health.
• Drink plenty of water every day to eliminate toxins.
• Minimize exposure to toxins to boost your fertility level.
• Get enough sleep. A poor sleep pattern can lower your chance of conceiving.
• Do not take any medicines or supplements without first consulting your doctor.
• If you are diabetic, keep your blood sugar level under control.
• Lastly but not the least, follow your doctor’s advice.

Resources:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20440696
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21550088
http://www.eshre.eu/~/media/emagic%20files/Press%20room/Annual%20meeting/Istanbul/Abstract%20Colaci.pdf