THINGS YOU CAN DO TO UP YOUR CHANCES:
Pomegranite Juice - This juice improves the thickness of your uterine lining, which is especially helpful for those on fertility treatments. It has to be pure pomergranite juice, not a "mix" like the ones minute maid produces. 8oz daily starting from CD1. Be warned, if you do not get a BFP, AF will make the blood scene from Carrie look like 'nuthin.
Mucinex or Robitussin- the ONLY active ingredient should be guaifenesin. Taken from CD1, this can increase your cervial mucus. Because it's a decongestant, it makes mucus everywhere thin out. If you notice you're kinda "dry" down there or don't see fertile cervical mucus, take this. As to dosage, I'd do what was on the box, but you must start from CD1.
Green Tea- this is a link to why Green Tea is thought to be good for those trying to conceive. You need about two cups a day and do not take it within 4 hours of your prenatals or folic acid supplement, b/c green tea interefers with your body's absorption.
Vitex- I am the one woman marketing machine when it comes to this stuff. Vitex works similarly to Clomid and you're not supposed to take it if you're on fertility treatments. Vitex aka chasteberry help to straighten out wonky cycles, aide in ovulation and help lengthen your luteal phase. The first month I took Vitex, my luteal phase went from 8 days to 11 days. AMAZING. Technically it takes 3 months to really take effect but you might see results earlier. You can take it throughout your cycle, though some say to stop. I never did. The dosage, i've never found a consistent recommendation. Some say 100mg, some say 1000. I took 480ish in the morning with my vitamins. Also, if you get pregnant, you're supposed to stop the vitex, however many midwives and bumpies have said it's ok in first tri, so ask your doctor/midwife.
B6- I only know of B6 helping people with Luteal Phase Deficiencies, increasing progesterone production. I've not found a consensus on the "right" dosage, but please be careful. Eventhough B6 is water soluble, it can still be toxic. In what I've read, there's no agreement on toxic dosage. I personally take 100mg, another bumpie takes 200mg. Some research says you can take up to 500mg without risking toxicity, but please talk to your doctor since it is so controversial.
Progesterone- there are many forms of this, most ladies get it from their doctor with specific instructions. However, there are the natural creams you can buy from an herbal store, it's not as "potenent' as what you would get from your doctor, but if you use it after ovulation it will help lengthen your luteal phase. It's also recommended for the 1st tri of pregnancy. And, a good note, it's practically in possible to overdose on progesterone--especially when taking herbal progesterone. So if you put too much lotion on (2 to 6 pumps is what I've read as a recommendation) don't freak. You won't hurt anything. Just be careful to take it AFTER ovulation if you take it before, you can actually stop ovulation from happening.
Pineapple Core- After ovulation, you can eat pineapple core to aid in implantation, (it contains bromelain, which is what is thought to aid implantation). I personally never did this b/c I always forgot. But, recommendations from other are to cut the core into very thin pieces and eat it for five days. Some have made it into a smoothie, but i don't know the recipe. I assume that if you already have a smoothie recipe, just throw in pineapple core.
PreSeed- this is the only sperm friendly lubricant out there. This is helpful for those who are, ahem, dry down there. It's also recommended to those on Clomid, since Clomid dries up your cervial mucus. I also never did this b/c I kept forgetting to buy it. I have been told that a little goes a LONG way, so use sparringly or else your DH will think you turned into a slip 'n slide.
Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:06 am
