Trying To Conceive Second Time Round

[lixandria]

Hello ladies,
I’ve been trying to get pregnant for almost two years with no success. I’m 37 years old and have a four year old boy that was conceived from the first month of TTC.
After 10 months of TTC I went to see a fertility specialist and find out that my TSH level was too high (it was 4.8 and the doctor said should be below 1). I was sure that this was the problem for not getting pregnant. I was put on eltroxin 0.05mg and within few weeks I felt better and I lost some weight and didn’t feel that tired in the morning. After a few more unsuccessful months I took Femara (letrozole 2.5g) for 3 months but again with no success. Following femara treatment I had an anovulatory cycle of 18 days length. Following this cycle was again in my opinion anovulatory (I could not detect ovulation with the test strips and my temperature is pretty flat with only 0.2 C degrees variation up and down).
What do you think it’s going on with my ovulation and with my cycles. I normally have 26-28 days cycle with 4-5 days bleeding. I cook all our meals in house, only occasionally we eat at the restaurant. I exercise 3-4 times per week. I drink occasionally beer or wine. I think I have a good and healthy lifestyle. But there are also bad things too like almost 2 hours commuting every day, stress at work, money issues and so on, but I take these as part of our lifestyle.
Although my doctor assured me that my thyroid is doing well I do not feel that great. I have weeks when I have very bad constipation and I gain 1-2Kg, I’m depressed and anxious, then the following week I can lose this 2 kg and feel great again.
I’ve tried a few months acupuncture but it didn’t work either. I felt better while doing the sessions but after that went back to square one.
Does any of you have an idea of what’s going on with me and do you have any advice for me?
Thank you in advance ladies, looking forward to your thoughts on my issues.

[Kaitebug]

Hi,

I am sorry you are having difficulty. We had a tough time conceiving as well. The ally that worked the best was Vitex tincture. A dropperful twice a day (morning and evening) until cycles regulated, which took me about 3-4 months. Once my cycles regulated I only took one dropperful a day. I also drank Red Raspberry leaf infusions, sometimes a quart a day, which I did my entire pregnancy.

Very important for you to control stress and volatility...these both negatively impact health and fertility. Even taking a few minutes a day to walk outside and breathe deeply will do you a world of good. I walked 45 minutes a day in the woods when I finally conceived. I also practiced yoga several times a week. Motherwort and Lemon Balm tinctures will greatly reduce your stress and promote a feeling of calm. Motherwort can make you a little sleepy, so it's best for when you are at home and can wind down. Lemon Balm, however, is great anytime and leaves a peaceful, balanced feeling. We go through many bottles in our house!

Making sure your diet is full of nourishing herbal infusions (Susun's website can be found here http://www.nourishingherbalinfusions.com/index.html) Especially Red Clover Blossom infusion is essential to promote fertility. Plenty of good animal fats, butter and high quality, organic and/or raw dairy products, (kefir, yogurt) and fermented foods like saur kraut and kim chi will restore balance to your tummy and womb.

Here are some more articles by Susun on fertility. Most of all, picture the child, pregnancy and health you desire. Don't worry and set your mind to a balanced state. Sometimes, our stress is a decision and it can easily be changed. Sending you lots of love!

http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Fertil ... _Forty.htm
http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Fertility_Herbs.htm

Kate

[zakiyaa]

Hello ladies,
I’ve been trying to get pregnant for almost two years with no success. I’m 37 years old and have a four year old boy that was conceived from the first month of TTC.
After 10 months of TTC I went to see a fertility specialist and find out that my TSH level was too high (it was 4.8 and the doctor said should be below 1). I was sure that this was the problem for not getting pregnant. I was put on eltroxin 0.05mg and within few weeks I felt better and I lost some weight and didn’t feel that tired in the morning. After a few more unsuccessful months I took Femara (letrozole 2.5g) for 3 months but again with no success. Following femara treatment I had an anovulatory cycle of 18 days length. Following this cycle was again in my opinion anovulatory (I could not detect ovulation with the test strips and my temperature is pretty flat with only 0.2 C degrees variation up and down).
What do you think it’s going on with my ovulation and with my cycles. I normally have 26-28 days cycle with 4-5 days bleeding. I cook all our meals in house, only occasionally we eat at the restaurant. I exercise 3-4 times per week. I drink occasionally beer or wine. I think I have a good and healthy lifestyle. But there are also bad things too like almost 2 hours commuting every day, stress at work, money issues and so on, but I take these as part of our lifestyle.
Although my doctor assured me that my thyroid is doing well I do not feel that great. I have weeks when I have very bad constipation and I gain 1-2Kg, I’m depressed and anxious, then the following week I can lose this 2 kg and feel great again.
I’ve tried a few months acupuncture but it didn’t work either. I felt better while doing the sessions but after that went back to square one.
Does any of you have an idea of what’s going on with me and do you have any advice for me?
Thank you in advance ladies, looking forward to your thoughts on my issues.

hi,
sorry to hear about your struggles. here are a few thoughts i had about your post in no particular order:

- having a short and/or annovulatory cycle after several cycles of hormonal treatment is not that unusual. in fact, it has even happened to me after using strong herbal remedies for hormonal balance, and even with very strong acupuncture treatments. the body sometimes needs to reset itself. as long as it is just one fluke cycle and you go back to your more regular cycle, i wouldn't worry about it. if this short cycle becomes the norm, then that is something else to address.

- thyroid tests, especially if they are only testing for the TSH level, are not that helpful. TSH levels can be considered "normal", but there are a growing number of doctors and professionals who say that normal levels actually vary from person to person, and can vary throughout one's life. one can still have symptoms of hypothyroidism and have seemingly normal TSH levels. that was the case for me. i treated myself with diet changes and chinese medicine, both acupuncture & herbs. my basal body temperature had always been on the low end, which was just one of many things that had made me suspicious that i might have a sluggish thyroid. a few months of chinese medicine made huge changes to my temperature, that came up to the normal range, as well as helped with a number of menstrual problems, such as extremely painful menstrual cramps.

- you said your temperature didn't vary much during that last short cycle. during that cycle, and before ovulation in other cycles, what is the average range of your basal body temperature? if it is on the lower end of things, it might be that your hunch is right and your thyroid might need a bit of love.

- speaking of temperature, i am assuming that you chart your temperatures? what is the average length of your cycle? average ovulation day? average length of your post-ovulatory phase? what is your cervical fluid pattern like? (feel free to answer me in private... i teach the fertility awareness method, i might have some insight based on this information)

- elevated FSH is not always an easy thing to address naturally. age is obviously a factor, and i know that for some women beyond a certain age, FSH is naturally elevated (it is supposed to be) and cannot be suppressed. you are fairly young still though and might be able to lower your levels. there are a number of herbs that have been used by clinical herbalists to help lower it, such as shatavari, tribulus & chaste tree berry. but i wouldn't recommend starting an herbal regimen without a deeper understanding of what else might be at play in the bigger picture of your fertility. for example, as the previous poster said, stress can play a huge role in hormonal balance. we often sweep that under the rug and assume it is normal, don't think that environmental and lifestyle factors play that big a role, but for some women it can have a significant impact on their hormones.

that's all i have for now. feel free to ask more questions and i will help if i can.

[lixandria]

Just an update on my old thread!

After a couple of years of trying to conceive with the help of modern medicine (including a failed IUI) I've decided to take a break and try nettle, red clover and red raspberry leaf infusions. Four months later I've got pregnant with my second baby. Now I'm 10 weeks pregnant and very happy.

Thank you Ladies!

[Narayani]

That's wonderful. The weeds do it again!

[lulu]

If it is your thyroid I would consider trying Potassium Iodide. I started taking it a few months ago after trying so many things for my thyroid, inlcuding prescription medicine, I had had trouble with my thyroid for years. I would also look at the info on http://www.naturalfertilityshop.com/?Click=3733 they dont just sell herbs and supplements, but the herbalist who runs the site gives lots of free info. Also I suggest the book 'Spirit Babies' by Walter Makichen. This book is a lifesaver when you've tried everything else. Good luck!

[zakiyaa]

Just an update on my old thread!

After a couple of years of trying to conceive with the help of modern medicine (including a failed IUI) I've decided to take a break and try nettle, red clover and red raspberry leaf infusions. Four months later I've got pregnant with my second baby. Now I'm 10 weeks pregnant and very happy.

Thank you Ladies!

i just saw this now!!! congratulations!!!!!

[Hayesy]

I had a miscarriage a year ago and have been ttc ever since. I'm certain six months of both comfrey and raspberry leaf infusions has helped enormously - i am pregnant again (Age 41, no children). I have stockpiled kilos of whole organic raspberry leaf only to find it now seams to nauseate me to drink it, particularly (but not only) on an empty stomach. Nooo! I don't want to give it up as i viscerally feel the benefits. Also, Susun Weed recommends it as an antidote to morning sickness - the opposite is true for me...Has anyone else had a similar reaction? Any advice? I am thinking of mixing it with ginger and/or mint. Might goat's milk help?
Any advice most appreciated!