subject: Are you trying to get pregnant after 40? [print this page] Are you in your 40s and trying to get pregnant? If so you definitely are not alone. More and more women are waiting until they are older and have a career established before starting a family.
It is perfectly normaly to give birth once you are over 40 I hate the way people think you are totally past it and to forget about it once you say goodbye to 39. I myself am pregnant and, all going well, I will give birth just 3 weeks before my 40th birthday. I think nothing of being pregnant at my age and have friends and relations my age and older expecting and we all think we are the right age.
Now I know your chances of things going wrong do increase over the age of 35 and the chances of becoming pregnant over this age do decrease but it is still very attainable to become pregnant over the age of 40.
You hear all sorts of old wives tales about certain positions and all sorts of weird and wonderful things. I heard that if the male eats prawns it increases his sperm count so my poor husband was on a diet of pure prawns a few months before I became pregnant, I dread to think what his cholestrol level is now but at least I am pregnant!!!
However research has been done and apparently if you eat certain foods and drinks you can increase your chances of conceiving. Even certain makeup, yes makeup, can be harmful. Chinese medicine is supposed to be very helpful and apparently the following herbs have beneficial properties when it comes to getting pregnant:
Chaste Tree Berry: chaste tree berry can improve women's chances of conceiving because it helps reduce hormonal imbalances; it also stimulates the action of pituitary gland, increasing progesterone and luitenizing hormone production, which helps to regulate the menstrual cycle. This herb also reduces stress levels, which in turn has a beneficial impact on reproduction health and daily use promotes fertility
Dong Quai: this herb improves your chances of getting pregnant by balancing estrogen and by regulating menstrual cycles. It can also improve implantation of the egg for women with autoimmune problems. However, dong quai is also a blood thinner and should therefore not be used during menstruation.
False Unicorn Root: this herb improves reproductive health and has a normalizing effect on the ovaries. However, taking too much false unicorn root can result in blurred vision, kidney or stomach irritation and vomiting
Wild Yam: wild yam increases the production of progesterone and therefore increases your chances of getting pregnant. Wild yam should always be taken after ovulation occurs, as taking this herb before ovulation can actually prevent ovulation from taking place, thereby reducing fertility
It is always important to consult with your doctor or fertility specialist about taking any herbs, as even some popular herbs are not properly regulated. Also, some herbs that are popular in promoting pregnancy can actually be unsafe; for example, a recent study found that ginseng is a particularly dangerous herb to take while pregnant.
In addition, while black and blue cohosh are both commonly prescribed herbs for improving fertility, they can also carry some serious health risks. Neither of these herbs should be taken when trying to get pregnant, or when there is a chance that an egg has been fertilized. That is because black and blue cohosh are emmengogues, meaning they are uterine tonics which can cause contractions and have adverse effects on implantation.
Here are some more tips on taking herbs while trying to get pregnant:
only take herbs when you know you have a fertility problem that herbs can help with
never self-medicate. Always consult a qualified medical herbalist before taking any herb
tell your herbalist about any other medication you are taking and that you are trying to get pregnant
be honest with your doctor/fertility specialist and tell him about any herbal fertility supplements you are currently taking or that you have taken in the past
I wish you good luck in your journey and hopefully the world will be a fuller place soon.
