Hi all,
What supplements have people used to increase the quantity of EWCM? I have heard calcium helps! Any suggestions would be great.
cheers
lily
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Hi all,
What supplements have people used to increase the quantity of EWCM? I have heard calcium helps! Any suggestions would be great.
cheers
lily
Well today was my naturopath appt - and it was great :clap:
She was fantastic and very thorough - 1.25 hour long appt!
Basically I'm to cut out things like caffeine, preservatives etc. Also she told me that due to my metabolism I should eat 5 small meals a day rather than 3 larger ones. That will be a challenge to begin with so hopefully I can do it!
I'm going to start taking Ultra muscleze (magnesium), premular and a *lovely* mixture of liquid herbs that is going to taste foul!
But I certainly came out from the consult feeling optimistic (though a little poorer...) , and I'm hoping that AF will return within 2 months!!
I should note that part of my treatment is focussed on reducing stress and also detoxing my liver, so not all directly fertility issues... but then it is all kinda related to each other!
Australian Bush Flower Essence - She Oak (8 drops under the tongue in the morning)
It didn't help me but I know it has helped others :)
Hi everyone,
Just wondering if anyone out there has been to a naturopath, been put on nasty tasting herbal mix (I know it contains Vitex amongst other things) and then the first cycle of taking it have their temps go all over the place (really high, really low) no apparent ovulation according to TCOYF software and post o (if it happened) low temps? Should I keep taking it? She is treating a LP progesterone deficiency diagnosed by low temps. My next appt with her is not for a week. I am on cd 19 and I usually have regular 28 day cycles, a 13 day LP and a pre-o temp dip despite having PCOS. And this cycle for the first time ever I think I had O pain.
It is like the herbs have given me the PCOS symptoms I was blessedly free of!
Any advice gratefully received!
Cheers
lily
This is a very interesting thread. I had been taking Vitex and Mega B which contains B6 in it around the time I fell pregnant. I was not taking them regularly, just when I remembered to but I'm wondering if this is what helped me conceive. It's one hell of a coincidence. I'd only been taking them for a few weeks. I stopped taking them when I first suspected I was pregnant and miscarried about a week or so later..... maybe I should have kept taking them.
Interestingly enough I was on the Vitex because my mother gave them to me to assist with PMT (I get moody) and the Mega B I was on as I'd heard that combined with another vitamin help stop cravings for sweet things (I'm trying to lose weight). I had no idea either of these vitamins were of any assistance with fertility.
I will be taking them religiously from now on.
I started seeing a TCM practitioner for acupuncture 6 weeks ago. You'll see in my signature what's happening with TTC and AC. Anyway, I have been taking the following for the last 6 weeks:
Meta Zinc with Vitamin C
China Med Fertility Support 1 & 2 (1 for 1st half of cycle, 2 for 2nd)
I-Folic (folic acid and iodine - Blackmores)
My practitioner has prescribed the following to take in addition from now on:
Ultrabiotic 45 (for gut flora, apparently I don't have enough!)
SB FlorActiv (same as above from what I can gather)
CH77 (something to add to water as I have high levels of a heavy metal found in petrol). I live on a main road...
I also have hashimoto's hypothyroidism so am also taking thyroxine.
My FS wants us to start on the next ivf icsi using the antagonist protocol asap. However, my TCM prac. wants to wait for another 6 weeks to see if I am improving. TCM prac. told us to eat organic food if possible. So yesterday I bought up a load of veges and fruit. Hopefully this will make a difference.
Is anyone else taking the China Med stuff?
ovulex is all natural herbs and is available over the inernet, it is a touch expensive but it worked in 2 weeks for me after trying to concieve for 22 months. i got 2 lines on good friday, so it was deffinatley a good friday for us!
congratulations peggy! thats wonderful :)
Congratulatins Peggy!
Interestingly Ovulex contains Dong Quai and Vitex Agnus Castus, which I notice people have been raving about in here anyway.
I am taking Evening Primrose Oil and Vitex (have just come off BCP after what feels like a million years and need to get things running normally again!) as well as Fish Oil (I made sure they are tested for mercury) and Folate+B12, and the Blackmores Preg/BF multivits. Plus I have DH on Multivits to keep zinc etc in order. I feel like I couldn't possibly pop any more pills but now I'm considering the Dong Quai & Black Cohosh as well...hmmmm...
Hi guys,
Actually my GP told me to go off EPO when I told her I was TTC.
Does anyone else been told the same?
I'm pretty convinced that seeing a chinese herbalist has helped me with the clomid to finally ovulate this month. I also had none of the side effects that I had on previous smaller doses this month after taking the herbs. I was laid up for 3 days last time with headaches and pain.
my funny little chinese herbalist really threw me today. He asked how I was feeling I said fine I am just waiting for my period now. He said maybe period maybe not sometimes pregnancy pulse very strong sometimes it not. ( this was after taking my pulse) wish he hadnt said anything I will spend the next 3 days torturing myself now about a pregnant pulse. I have ttc ocd :-( cant get it out my head
Hi,:
My acupuncturist said the same thing to me the other day, that my pregnancy pulse was very strong and another pulse was strong indicating 'something was going on down there'. She said she wouldn't be surprised if I was pregant but the next day I got AF. I got all hopeful again - I personally didn't feel pregnant (can tell by my mood levels) . Can relate anyway.....
Mich
Michelle I got af too but he did say that my body is responding strongly to the herbs and I have been feeling fantastic.I must say even my bedroom life has improved which can only help in ttc *L*
Best of luck to you
Yes, I feel fantastic too - despite the pulse thing not being 'right' I feel 'hormonally balanced' too. Good luck to you too - there's always next time as they say....
Michelle
Hi! I am new to this so i hope i do not sound silly. I have been reading your interesting comments on herbs etc. and am interested in Ovulex. Realising it is only avail. from the US. Is it illegal to bring into the country? and can anyone tell me why it isn't avail. here? Thanks!
To Deb and danni
Please HELP!! I have been asked by one np to take vitex and advised by another not to as i suffer from PCOS and am going through my 9th cycle of IVF. I seen to always produce a good number of eggs even on a low dose of FSH. and my 2nd NP doesnt want me to OHSS but the other is saying that i wount
Please can you help ?
it is NOT illegal to import it as it is only herbs, the reason it isnt available here is because as they say on their website...:
Here Is Why You Will Never See Ovulex In Any Store
"1) We can only make so much of it due to the scarcity in many of the rare Asian herbs used to make Ovulex. We can only produce a few small batches each year and during the “fertility season” we tend to sell out many times for weeks on end.
2) We want to be available for everyone that uses the Ovulex program.
To be able to do that, we can only take on so many new mothers each year. That’s why Ovulex is only available from our factory to you. "
so thats probably why it isnt available, if they alredy sell out inthe us i dont think they are about to sell it here, but its perfectly fine to buy off internet.
i highly recommend it as it worked for me and im now 13 weeks pregnant!!:clap:
This is my first post on this site.
DH and I have been TTC for awhile and are on our 7th cycle. I have noticed that my cyles are a little irregular. They have been 30,27,26,24,27 and now a 23. Obviously this makes it harder for me to predict when I'm O and I don't really want to start taking my temps yet. I'm starting to get extremely confused as I started to spot 6 days before I got AF this month.
Do you think that Vitex might help me regulate my cycles and ultimately help TTC??
Thanks :wall:
Thanks Peggy! I did read that info on their website, but you can never be too sure these days bringing something in from OS. Did you only use one bottle of the Ovulex?
Really want this to work!!!!
Yes Bree Vitex can regulate cycles for some women so it's worth a go. I conceived the very first month that I started taking it but unfortunately I m/c. I take it religiously every morning. My cycles were already regular but my mother gave me my first jar of vitex to try to help me with PMS so it's good for that as well.
Thanks heaps Satya.
I took my first one this morning so :crossfingers: that it helps regulates my cycles and leads to a :bfp:
Hi Lou,
I know you posted to Deb and Danni, so I hope you don't mind me replying but I had a thought about your natropaths - very confusing to be given conflicting information!
I dont have PCOS nor have I tried IVF (yet!), so it is purely about the natropath side of things. I see a natropath that is qualified in Natural Fertility (done some extra training) and works exclusively with women/men trying to conceive and/or manage their cycles. If one of your natropaths sounds like this then I would probably tend to go with their opinion. Basically, some natropaths will have more experience/qualifications in the area of fertility. If neither natropaths are qualified/experience in fertility then perhaps looking for one with this area of expertise may be of more help. I go through the Jocelyn Centre in Sydney (don't live in Sydney though) and have always felt very confident with the advice they give.
I hope this helps you and you get some resolution to this issue and of course a baby!
Good luck,
Mich
Thanks so much for you reply Mich and it was really open to anyone but i had seen that both Deb and Danni had replyed to other posts on vitex.
Both NP work with ladies, and men working on Fertility issues so i guessed that they are both q in that area!
How dod you go through the centre in Sydney if you dont live there? Another np has also told me to NOT TAKE ANYTHING while on IVF drugs so now im even more confused!!!lol
Thanks again
Hey Lou,
I used to live in Sydney and the short story is I went to the natropaths at the Jocelyn Centre (Woolahra) for 18mths before leaving so they were happy to keep seeing me via phone consultation.
From the information I have read, the 'head' natropath there Francesca Naish is a pioneer in natural fertility and has written several books on the subject. I would consider her a 'guru', not just an expert. I also have a feeling that courses run in natural fertility that may be attended by other natropaths/herbalists/acupuncturists refer heavily on the books she wrote. I was friends with an acupuncturist (in natural fertility) when I lived on the sunshine coast and she had done a natural fertility course and recommended all Francesca's books. I have all the books and refer to them often (at the moment they are in storage though!)
All the natropaths in this practice work closely with IVF doctors in Sydney and I think Francesca/Jocelyn Centre have given talks to the IVF doctors as to what 'natural fertility' entails. They also attend seminars given by the IVF doctors - have heard my natropath mention Micheal Cooper (the Sydney endo guru).
Obviously I can't comment on the training of the two natropaths you have consulted but I would be concerned about conflicting advice.
Maybe the Jocelyn Centre would do phone consultations with new clients if you explain your situation? Not sure though.
Let us know how you go though,
Mich
EEk!
The bulk of my message (below) was accidentally posted twice... it was in this space, and I erased it under edit. (-is there no delete option?)
Sorry!
I am new here, just wanted to give you a quick intro (explanation as to why I am trying herbs at this juncture) :
I am blessed with a 13 yr old boy (born on my 20th Bday as a result of an "oops" moment!)
I'd only had relations one time in the month and a baby was the farthest thing from my mind...
Fast forward to 2004
I reconcile with the father of my first son and we immediately set about trying to have a sibling for him!
I downloaded some TRIAL software for fertility charting, and was pregnant the FIRST cycle (-remember getting a pop-up warning that I had only 15 more days left on my Hormonal Forecaster Trial subscription!!!!!---I laughed because I would not have to buy it afterall....)
Right now I am apparently anovulatory, the few times I have detected ovulation, the luteal phase has been way too short.
I have now been TTCing without success for 27 months.
This is very frustrating...
I am thinking that prolactin may be to blame in my case, since I only JUST quit nursing...sometimes even a little lactation can disrupt the hormones...:(
SO
I have been doing an herbal regimen with some complementary vitamins for a couple of weeks now.
Currently, I am on:
Vitex
Evening Primrose Oil
Vit B6
Vit B complex
Prenatal Vit
I am about to add some more herbs/oils to my regimen.
This week I plan to add:
Flax Seed Oil
Red Clover
False Unicorn Root
Wild Yam Extract
I have heard vitex is probably the most powerful of all these herbs to regulate hormones and restore balance.
The others play a supportive role. They each perform a certain function that is said to aid the reproductive system in preparation for conception, ---and some can be continued after conception (-to help sustain a new pregnancy for those of us who have had issues with maintaining pregnancy).
I would like to refrain from advising others, however, because in order to be sure, you need to be comfortable with your own research/sources and know your own body.
Herbs can be powerful and can effect each of us very differently...
That said, I am more than willing to share my own personal experiences with the women in this forum, and you may glean from my experience what you wish!
This is how I came upon my plan...mostly by virtue of observing what has worked for others...many times, in forums similar to this one! :)
I had tried Vitex earlier in the year, but gave up when I failed to see immediate results.
I have since read more personal accounts from others who have used Vitex with success...most of them report that it takes a number of months before one sees any noticeable change.
-Many women report, though they had to wait a few-several months, ended up pregnant thanks to Vitex (after unsuccessfully ttcing for years)!
I am really hoping it works, but this time around, I have adopted a more patient attitude...
I will continue my regimen and report to this group if/when I see any results. ---I am also very eager to learn from the women here!
Good luck to all who are trying!
Shan
Hi chuffy,
My cylces were all over the place when i was breastfeeding too - very very long, even at the end when my daughter was only breastfeeding once a day for a comfort feed at 20mths old.
If you say you have JUST finished breastfeeding, you may find that your cycles start to regulate themselves again now that things are back to 'normal'. You have two children already so that sounds promising too that things will rectify themselves.
I didn't get pregnant when breastfeeding and another friend didn't get pregnant until she stopped breastfeeding too.
It sounds like you are really on the ball with what you are taking herbs and supplement wise. do you go through a natropath? If you still were having trouble getting your cycles back to normal in a few months, I have found my natropath to be amazing.
So, I went from long long cycles when breastfeeding back to my usual 5wk cycles about 3 mths after I stopped breastfeeding. I take vitex and an assortment of vitamins that looks suspiciously like your regime!!! I also take a liquid herbal supplement that my natropath makes up for me (I have endo as well). some people describe vitex as the 'natural' alternative to clomid. My dose is regulated by my natropath - it is very high, 3 a day or 2 a day when bleeding. this is what I need to maintain 14 day post ov cycle length and have no spotting pre ov.
To be honest, taking out the time I was TTC and breastfeeding, it has been 16mths TTC #2 for us but I do have endo, so my case is not straight forward.
Thanks for sharing your story, it is good to read what other women are up to and it is great to have somewhere to share our stories. I hope your herbs give you success (again!)
Mich
anyway,
hey darl,:
i used about half a bottle if that, i gave the rest to a mate who recently lost her left fallopian tube due to an undiagnosed ectopic, she will use it when she is ready to concieve again, ill let you know how she goes!
Hi everyone,
Just purchased Dong Quai herbal supplements that is suppose to be very beneficial for womens health, especially those that are trying to regulate their AF and assist in TTC. I'm wondering if anyone has used it and what was their conclusion, has anyone found it beneficial? I will start taking the tablets tomorrow so I will let you know about my progress with the herbal supplement.
Cheers
Ani22 TTC 3months
Thanks so much for the reply!
I am really hoping my infertility is due to the breastfeeding.
I never would have thought it would be an issue especially recently, after almost three years (...and yes, it has been 1-3 times p/day comfort nursing for my little one also).
I suppose since both you and your friend had fertility issues due, in part, to extended breastfeeding, it must not be as unusual as I'd thought...
On the flip, I have actually heard more stories of women who were still breastfeeding (-EXCLUSIVELY-) their newborns and...
BINGO!
---Pregnant even before they got their first post-partum period!
Then there are cases like ours.:wall:
I was happy to see the return of what appeared to be regular periods starting 9 months post partum.That is when I began trying...in hopes of attempting to narrow the age gap this time around.
AF kept what appeared to be a good regular cycle from that day forward, but I suspect they have been anovulatory (or badly timed, "improperly" dispensed ovi -the odd time an egg would manage to eke itself out!) ever since then.
I actually used to daydream of getting pregnant while my current nursling continued to nurse, and I even thought about tandem nursing 'the two'...
*I guess for those of us with such sensitive systems these things would be next to impossible!
Currently, I'm feeling really guilty weaning (he really misses the few nursies he'd been having) but I have set the big milestone of '35 yrs old' as my own personal cut-off for having any more children. I turned 33 in May, so...I really need to buckle down here.
(And, I guess many would say a month short of 3 yrs of breastfeeding was a pretty decent run-)
I have not seen an herbalist or other professional re: my regimen. I did get all the usual bloodwork plus a few extra checks at my GP to make sure I had no health issues that might make these alternative therapies dangerous for me, then I did a bit of my own research and really listened to wise women like you, (-many of whom had consulted natropaths-) and have simply been following their/your lead.:D
If you have found the specialized treatment/advice helpful, I just might seek out a natropath myself. I live in a rural area outside Halifax NS, and though it is our Province's capital city (--and is a wonderful city, I might add...) there is not a huge population, and unfortunately, there may not be many around here (also, I do not drive!!!)
That is why this computer is so wonderful...love to be connected with other women from all over the world on similar journeys. :hug:
I wish you the best of luck! Lets really try to keep track of one another...
Your Canadian sister,
Shannon
(A.K.A. Chuffy Krumhorn)
Hi Shannon,
Congratulations on breastfeeding so long. I think it's fantastic that you were able to continue to 3yrs. I had a few issues hence why I stopped at 20mths. Like you though, I had some friends who seem to sneeze and get pregnant breastfeeding. In retrospect for me was probably a waste of money going on the pill when I was younger but not to worry.
I had some romantic thoughts about breastfeeding too.....
I hope for you it is just due to breastfeeding. Yes, let us know how you go.
Mich
Shannon, Forgot to finish my romantic thoughts thread (the rest I left in my head)....romantic thoughts about breastfeeding two babies at the same time - or one toddler, one baby - I was fully prepared to go there if need be. But it wasn't to be...
HI everyone,
Just wanted to let yo know i have just started back on Vitex again! I used it before we conceived our little fella, just to regulate my hormones cos i had had two m'c's before that. It worked! Yay. So hoping it will now work again as we try for our next bubba. Good luck to us all on our journeys and may the vitex do its thing for us!
Shazz xo.
Someone mentioned Francesca Nash - I just wanted to say I LOVE Francesca Nash's book 'The Natural Way to Better Babies' If you are into natural health and herbal remedies, I would definitely recommend checking this book out at the book store. It is really easy to read and really informative.
I started taking vitex and B6 about 4 weeks ago on something like day 130 of my cycle...
2 weeks later, I ovulated Wahoo!!!!
Of course, this week, AF is here so back to square one.
I don't know if the vitex and B6 made me O or if it was just coincidence. All I can say is I am not stopping that vitex *just in case*
Here's hoping I will Ovulate again soon!!
Hi. I noticed a lot of mention of B6 but not the dosage. There are so many different dosages of B6 and I don't want to over take or undertake so what is th enormal dose anyone know?
I saw a naturopath back in April last year and she recommended I take 2 blackmores vitex each morning and due to my chem pg rate and m/c to take it right thru to 12 wks. Well it didn't stop the next 2 m/c ..I stopepd takin git but I am now takin git again as it does take the edge of my PMS dragon traits lol.
I also take 500mg natural Vitamin E.
thanks for such a great thread
Judy
Hi Judy,
I take B6. If you take high doses it can cause you to get pins and needle type symptoms and then you should definitely cut back. I think it might be around 300mg's? someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I was taking around this amount and had to cut back as I was getting these symptoms. I would start low like 50mg and work up from there until you find the right dose for your symptoms. That's what I did. I take 100mg B6 + some in a multivitamin and this still helps. I take vitex too.
Good luck,
Mich
Does anyone know of any regulatory supplements I can take whilst breastfeeding? I have a 10 day cycle at the moment and it's running me into the ground, but I'm not willing to give up BF....
Wow Kim - 10 day cycles?! That would run anyone to the ground. I would def. recommend you go and ask a naturopath or your dr if there is something you can take while BF. Sorry I can't suggest anything.
Hi kim. Vitex is safe to take while b/f. I hope you can find an answer to ending the 10 day cycle and getting to longer cycles.
Hugs
Judy