For centuries, women have used herbal remedies to prevent or assist pregnancy. The American Pregnancy Association recommends that women who are looking to use herbal supplements in pregnancy and conception consult with a doctor or licensed herbalist, since many herbs are inappropriate or dangerous to both mother and child. Herbal extracts can be used to regulate the menstrual cycle and allow intercourse to be precisely timed for the best chance of conception, while other herbs can help prepare the body for pregnancy.
Instructions
1. Consult a doctor before beginning treatment. The American Pregnancy Association suggests finding a doctor who is familiar with working with herbal remedies or a herbalist who is certified with the American Herbalists Guild. Using herbs incorrectly during conception and pregnancy can cause a miscarriage or birth defect, so it is best to use herbal remedies under supervision.
2. Begin taking an herbal pregnancy supplement or using a tea brew which contains ingredients such as red clover, red raspberry leaf, nettle leaf and dandelion leaf. Your doctor or licensed herbalist may be able to recommend the best blend of herbs for your specific needs. These herbs contain a number of essential vitamins and minerals, such as folic acid and have qualities which may help you prepare for carrying a child. This is similar to using a prenatal vitamin supplement.
3. Take a soy supplement to help regulate the follicular phase of your menstrual cycle. Studies show that adding 60 mg of soy isoflavones to your diet, either by eating foods such as tofu and soybeans or by taking a soy isoflavone supplement, can increase the level of estrogen produced by your body. This influences the production of follicles on your ovaries and can help induce ovulation. This can be especially useful if you are trying to conceive with low estrogen.
4. Use a progesterone supplement, such as bioidentical progesterone cream, pills or suppositories, to extend the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle. These bioidentical progesterone supplements contain diosgenin synthesized from soy or wild yams, creating progesterone which is identical to the progesterone produced by your body. Herbal progesterone supplements can be found in over-the-counter versions or prescribed by a doctor. They should be taken from the day after ovulation to the day before your expected menstrual period or until your doctor recommends stopping. If you stop progesterone supplements too soon, the drop in hormone levels may cause a miscarriage, so check with your doctor before stopping.
Tags: herbal remedies, menstrual cycle, progesterone supplements, American Pregnancy, American Pregnancy Association, bioidentical progesterone, cause miscarriage