How To Make A Baby
Okay, if you’re reading this newsletter, I’m assuming you already know how babies are made.
Or at least you understand the basics. But if you, like 1 in 8 Americans, have ever struggled with infertility, you know that making a baby can be a lot more nuanced than having a few drinks with your partner and turning on your favorite “Beats Between the Sheets” playlist.
At every moment our bodies are on the spectrum of the sympathetic (fight-flight-or-freeze) and parasympathetic (feed-breed-or-rest) nervous system function. Stress, illness, or imbalance in the body can significantly affect the reproductive process which functions best when the body is in deep parasympathetic mode.
At Columbia Integrative Health we offer fertility wellness and pregnancy support programs that encompass a range of holistic approaches and practices aimed at optimizing reproductive health and enhancing the chances of conception, as well as providing support throughout the pregnancy journey. These approaches focus on nurturing overall well-being, balancing hormones, supporting reproductive functions, and promoting a healthy pregnancy.
Fertility wellness and pregnancy support can include various elements such as lifestyle modifications, stress reduction techniques, nutritional guidance, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and supplements.
FAQs:
When should I start treatment?
We recommend starting treatment 3 to 6 months before you wish to conceive.
How does acupuncture support preconception?
✔️ Regulates menstrual cycles, making ovulation more predictable.
✔️ Encourages thickening of the uterine lining to help with viable implantation.
✔️ Enhances blood flow to reproductive organs supports egg quality and ovarian function.
✔️ Reduces stress, improves sleep quality and promotes healthy emotional balance.
✔️ Improves digestion and nutrient absorption for optimal health, wellness, and fertility!
Can acupuncture help me once I am pregnant?
Absolutely! Continuation of care through the first trimester of pregnancy is highly recommended. Throughout pregnancy, our patients will often come in for pregnancy-associated issues such as round ligament pain, nausea, vomiting, lower back pain, carpal tunnel, sciatica, pelvic pain, and breach presentation. At the end of the third trimester, many of our patients return for labor preparation.
Is acupuncture safe during pregnancy?
Yes! Acupuncture is safe for Mom and Baby. It does not interfere with standard Western medical treatments when performed by a properly trained and experienced acupuncturist.
How effective is acupuncture at improving fertility outcomes?
Multiple studies including thousands of women have shown that using acupuncture in partnership with IVF and IUI can increase positive fertility outcomes by 30-60% versus IVF and IUI without acupuncture.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6918533/
What else can I do to prepare my body for conception?
- Nourishing Your Body: Focus on an anti-inflammatory, nutrient-rich diet.
- Moving with Intention: Consider yoga or walking to enhance circulation and reduce stress.
- Connecting with Support: Surround yourself with loved ones for encouragement.
- Gathering Data: Remember, it takes two to tango! Don’t neglect checking your partner’s sperm count and quality! Baseline lab work for all parties involved is a very important part of navigating the fertility journey.
- Connecting with Support: Surround yourself with loved ones for encouragement.
- Supplementation: Taking a prenatal vitamin, Co-Q10, myo-inositol, and vitamin D3 with K2, and DHA (an omega 3 fatty acid) are a good place to start.
