Before shelling out money for expensive assisted reproductive technologies, consider lifestyle and alternative approaches if you would like help getting pregnant naturally at minimal or lower costs. According to fertility experts, couples with unexplained infertility still have a 60% chance of conceiving over the next ten years. If you have time to wait, you can take steps to boost your fertility using complementary therapies. Although these approaches are not necessarily the cure to infertility, they can increase the likelihood of pregnancy by correcting the imbalances in your body.

Eat right

Most of us pay very little attention to the nutritional value of the food we eat, but eating right affects fertility more than we think. Harvard University’s groundbreaking study on 19,000 nurses show a lot of interesting statistical relationships between the food they eat and their fertility. Women with healthy body weights who ate lots of fruits, vegetables, and legumes were more likely to get pregnant than women who ate trans-fats from processed foods. Researchers believe this is due to the effect of insulin on the ovaries. Women with normal insulin levels are more likely to have normal ovulation and menstrual cycles, but those who have diabetes have irregular ovulation. A nutritious diet that promotes healthy blood sugar levels can increase your chances of conceiving. Several other studies also show that women who exercise moderately at least 30 minutes a day are less likely to be infertile due to ovarian problems.

Chiropractic care

Chiropractic care, an alternative health science that works with the spine and musculoskeletal system to treat a number of disorders, may be the missing link between unexplained infertility and conception. Although chiropractic care is not a cure for infertility per se, it can correct bodily distortions that may be interfering with the reproductive system’s functions. A new study published in the Journal of Vertebral Sublaxation Research shows that chiropractic care can boost a woman’s fertility through correcting the peristaltic motion. Peristaltic motion is the muscular function controlled by the autonomous nervous system, the region of the brain that regulates bodily functions like heartbeat. During ovulation, the mature egg travels down the fallopian tube through a movement propelled by peristaltic motion. Ectopic pregnancies occur because the peristaltic motion is not strong enough to send the egg to the uterus.

By working with the spine in relation to the placement of the uterus and reproductive organs, the chiropractic techniques used in the study were concluded to be instrumental in that pregnancies were achieved by all the female participants, except for a 65-year old woman who never menstruated in her life. However, she started menstruating four weeks after she received the chiropractic treatments.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is an alternative treatment that provides highly individualized treatments for infertility and other chronic conditions. The whole practice is based on the philosophy that no two women experience the same symptoms, and each woman should thus receive a treatment or “constitutional remedy” that addresses each symptom she experiences. Homeopathic remedies are made of plant, animal, or mineral sources combined into a tablet, tincture, or capsule. Although homeopathic preparations like aurum and sepia 6c can help treat unexplained causes of infertility, it’s best to visit a homeopathic practitioner yourself so that your specific symptoms and problems can be treated accordingly.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

The ancient Chinese methods for treating infertility are as effective as modern medical approaches available today. In fact, the success rates of assisted reproductive technologies like IVF and ZIFT are increased when they are accompanied by traditional Chinese medicine. Not only can Chinese medicine invigorate the sperm and regulate the menstrual cycle, but it can also restore other imbalances in the body.

Acupressure and acupuncture are the two most popular Chinese approaches to boosting fertility. These techniques involve putting pressure or needles on certain points in the body to improve the flow of qi (life energy). According to traditional Chinese medicine, unknown infertility is actually caused by stagnation of qi in the liver. Correcting this blockage and releasing the qi is said to boost reproductive health, alleviate stress, and improve the excretion of toxins.

Qigong is another traditional Chinese practice known to improve fertility. It is not a medical treatment per se; instead of applying pressure to special points, qigong uses meditative techniques to maintain the flow and balance of qi throughout the body. Through posture, breathing exercises, slow controlled movements, and visualization, qigong calms the mind down and reduces stress that aggravates infertility. Balancing qi also removes the energetic blockages that prevent the reproductive system or pituitary gland from working as it should. Qigong can be taken as a class, or you can sign up for a weekend retreat to avoid the distractions of the modern world.

Diana Farrell is the author of the trademarked Full Embrace Program Series on overcoming infertility that has helped many couples realize their dream of parenthood. For more help getting pregnant visit http://www.PregnancySuccessProgram.com for lots of valuable tips and secrets.

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