Fertility Cleanse: Phase 1

I was pretty sure that I was going to have to start the Fertility Cleanse with my next cycle and since I just started a new one, I was pretty disappointed.  Well, it just so happens that I got my set the day before I was supposed to start it!  Wahoo!!!  

Phase one (CD 6-17) is supporting the liver and its normal functions. I was a bit apprehensive about the taste of these herbs.  Like, I was pretty much dreading it.   I had read reviews about the tea and about how terrible it was.  Well, it was going to be a LONG 10 days of phase one if it tastes like these people said. 

Phase 1: Liver Renew capsules; This is an herb blend that I take twice a day, two pills each time. Some of the herbs are Burdock, artichoke seed, milk thistle seed, bupleurum, wild yam root, dandelion root, turmeric root, and about 10 others.  It gives me a touch of heartburn.

Milk Thistle Seed Extract: I take 30 drops in 3 ounces of water, twice a day.  It doesn't taste *bad* but it doesn't taste like straight water either.  I can get it down without gagging...so far. 

Liver Cleanse Flushing Tea: I'm supposed to drink two cups per day. This is the tea I was talking about earlier.  Hummm...how do I describe it?  The smell instantly reminded me of a foot massage parlor in Chang Mai Thailand.  There are actual leaves and sticks in the container!  I was pretty freaked out to drink it...considering I drink NO tea EVER.  Like, the last time I had tea was over 6 years ago when I was trying to get pregnant with Skittle.  This tea has many of the same herbs as the pills I'm taking but also has watercress herbs, licorice root, Hibiscus leaf, parsley leaf, ginger root, cardamom seeds, and hyssop leaf.  I decided it was best to mix it with local "Really Raw Honey" from Baltimore that contains "pollen, propolis, and honeycomb".  And guess what?!  It's not so bad!  I won't dare say that I like it, but I don't even make a face when I drink it! 

I've never used a tea leaf ball thingy to make tea before so a friend lent me hers.  Then I remembered that I had inherited my grandma Jane's!   These look a bit retro/old fashioned and I love it! 

Here We Go Again!

Wow, it's been a long time since I've posted.  The reason?  There hasn't been really anything fertility related to post about....until now.

I've taken a good year long break from all things infertility and I *THINK* I'm ready to go at it again.  Well...not in the traditional way this time, at least for another 6+ months. I had started doing things a little more on the natural side (you know, things like vaginal steams) but I didn't go full into it like I should have.  The past several weeks I've been reading up on essential oil use, liver cleanses, herbs, supplements and plant based infertility remedies.  They are very intriguing and something I haven't yet tried.  Honestly, it's more about making my body healthy should a pregnancy occur, than actually doing it TO get pregnant.  Does that make sense? 

I've been putting together a protocol (with some help from an herbologist) and it's a bit overwhelming but I'd still like to try it.  I do not believe it will HURT anything (specifically, my fibro) and I'm staying away from folic acid and trying to only take it in the form of folate instead since I believe I may have the MTHFR gene mutation.  I switched my prenatal vitamins to Smarty Pants months ago and while I'm sick of the taste of them, I think they are some of the best.  I've been eating better-but I still need to up my fruit and veggie intake. 

I plan to order a Fertility Cleanse today which is done in two phases.  (As most all fertility treatments are.) You can read more about it here if you'd like.

I will also be trying:

Ubiquinol (Coenzyme Q10): which I've been told to use by two other professionals as it helps to promote egg health.

L'Arginine: Helps to relax blood vessels and promote blood flow to my uterus and ovaries

Maca: Supports egg health, blood flow, and helps to regulate hormones

Royal Jelly: Supports hormone balance, aids in endocrine function

Castor Oil Packs: Promotes circulation, supports the uterus/ovaries and helps to detoxify (this is used externally)

Fertility Greens: Superfood

Progesterone Cream: 20mg of progesterone absorbed into my skin after I ovulate 

Self Fertility Massage with "Radiant Womb" oil: Helps with circulation, helps with repositioning a tilted uterus and supports the uterus. The oil is made up of 8 essential oils.  You can read more about it here.

Regular Epsom Salt baths with Lavender essential oil: stress reliever, detoxification

I'm also going to be bringing back the vaginal steams.  Ahhhhh....can't let those 2 lbs of dried herbs go bad!

Essentially, I'd like to do this protocol for 6 months and then if we are ready, we'll talk about doing IVF again or not. 

Thanks for sticking with me for this long.  I hope to be updating a little more regularly once I begin this new treatment. 

Here are a couple outtakes from our Christmas photo shoot...aren't they so cute!?!!?