Getting Pregnant Naturally

by Winifred Conkling

  Don’t Have Intercourse Under Water

  While making love in a pool or on the beach can be erotic and exciting, under-water intercourse can undermine your chances of conceiving a child. The chlorine found in the pool water can alter the vaginal pH level, and the presence of any water can wash away or alter the all-important vaginal mucus, which helps the sperm work its way to the awaiting egg.

  Avoid Commercial Vaginal Lubricants

  Massage oils and lubricating jellies, liquids, and suppositories may enhance lovemaking, but they may inhibit babymaking at the same time. Many commercial lubricants can interfere with the sperm’s ability to make its way through the reproductive tract. Oil-based lubricants, such as petroleum jelly, can alter the vaginal pH and damage sperm. Even water-based products (usually marked “safe to use with condoms”) can slow down or trap sperm.

  Instead of using commercial products, use egg white if you really need a lubricant. The egg white is pure protein—and so are the sperm—and the egg white won’t disrupt the natural pH balance in the vagina.

  Note: Do not use egg white if either partner is allergic to eggs. Be sure to separate the yolk from the egg before using egg white as a lubricant.

  Consider Whether Either Partner Has Anti-sperm Antibodies

  Anti-sperm antibodies are evidence of an overzealous immune system. When the immune system is working as it should, the white blood cells produce proteins known as antibodies, which seek out and destroy hostile proteins, known as antigens. These antigens attack a range of foreign invaders—viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that can cause illness. Sometimes, however, the body mistakenly sets its sights on harmless proteins, such as sperm. When antibodies attach themselves to the sperm, they can cause problems with motility and the ability of the sperm to penetrate the egg.

  Experts disagree about how often anti-sperm antibodies cause infertility, but some believe the condition exists in up to 20 percent of infertile women and 10 percent of infertile men Many researchers believe that the antibodies can reduce the chances of conception, but do not necessarily prevent it.

  In women, experts believe the problem can be triggered by infection, though the condition is not very well understood. In men, anti-sperm antibodies sometimes appear after vasectomy; the condition can also follow infection or injury to the genital area. Lab tests involving blood, cervical mucus, and sperm will be needed to detect the presence of the antibodies.

  If a man has anti-sperm antibodies, he should work with a urologist with expertise in fertility to take steps to manage the problem. If a woman has developed antibodies to her partner’s sperm, the problem can be corrected in some cases by having the man wear a condom during intercourse and oral sex for six months to give the woman’s immune system a chance to stop forming antibodies. Then, after this period of rest, it is possible that the couple can have intercourse without a condom at the time of ovulation and pregnancy can occur before the antibodies form again. If you have this problem, this low-tech approach is certainly worth a try, and some researchers have reported success rates of up to 50 percent using this technique. If this method does not work, do not despair. Many couples with immunological disorders can conceive with the help of assisted reproductive technologies.

  This is a complex problem that will probably require diagnosis and treatment from a physician. If either partner has a history of infections or sexually transmitted diseases, consult a fertility expert to find out if anti-sperm antibodies are contributing to your problems with conception. Keep in mind that the low-tech techniques described in this book cannot help you if anti-sperm antibodies are present.

  Test for Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Treat Them Promptly

  Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can scar the reproductive system and cause infertility in both women and men. Americans report 12 million new cases of STDs and 1 million cases of pelvic inflammatory disease each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. About 12.5 percent of these infections lead to infertility after a single episode, and an astonishing 75 percent of people are left infertile after three infections. (People who smoke are particularly susceptible to scarring and infertility because smoking slows down the healing process.)

  In women, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is almost always sexually transmitted. It can be caused by any of a number of organisms, but once they reach the vagina during intercourse, they spread throughout the reproductive system. PID is often found in women who have had multiple sex partners, especially in couples who did not use a barrier form of contraception (such as condoms or diaphragms). It can also be caused by abortion and the use of IUDs (intrauterine devices). PID may show up as pelvic pain, odorous vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding, painful urination, fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting—or it can be present without any symptoms at all. Ideally, a woman should have a complete gynecological exam before trying to conceive, so that her doctor can identify and treat any harmful microorganisms that might be present.

  In men, the sperm are produced in the testicles, then they must move along an eighteen-foot, tightly coiled tube known as the epididymis. The sperm must then travel through the vas deferens, the tube connecting the epididymis and the prostate gland. Many sexually transmitted diseases can cause tubular scarring and infertility; blocked sperm ducts account for an estimated 10 to 15 percent of male infertility. The more sex partners a man has had, the greater the number and type of bacteria he will have in his prostate gland and seminal fluid, and the greater the chance that these bacteria will cause PID in his female partners.

  For both women and men, the best way to protect your fertility and to minimize your risk of developing STDs is to limit your number of sexual partners, use condoms, and seek medical care as soon as symptoms appear. In many cases, the damage caused by an STD is irreversible—and the damage is done before the infection is diagnosed and treated. For more information on sexually transmitted diseases, contact your gynecologist or another physician.

  FERTILITY CHECKLIST

  HERS

  Calculate your anticipated day of ovulation using the calendar method.

  Learn to recognize changes in your cervical mucus.

  Chart the changes in your basal body temperature.

  Monitor changes in your cervix.

  Try an ovulation predictor kit.

  Stay flat on your back for 20 to 30 minutes after intercourse.

  Don’t douche.

  Take a cough syrup with guaifenesin.

  HIS

  Ejaculate every two or three days all month.

  Take a cold bath a half-hour before sex.

  Talk to your doctor if you release little or no seminal fluid at orgasm.

  Treat impotence.

  COUPLES

  Use the missionary position.

  Make love in the morning.

  Have intercourse every other day.

  Avoid oral sex.

  Don’t have intercourse under water.

  Avoid pharmaceutical vaginal lubricants.

  Consider whether either partner has anti-sperm antibodies.

  Test for sexually transmitted diseases and treat them promptly.

  3

  Nutrition and Nutrition Supplements:

  Eat, Drink — and Get Pregnant

  If you’re thinking about getting pregnant, you need to begin eating for two before you conceive. You don’t necessarily need to eat more, but you may need to eat better. Eating a balanced diet high in certain nutrients can help to improve your fertility. And changing your diet is easier—and much less expensive and potentially harmful—than experimenting with reproductive technologies.

  But it’s often difficult, even under the best of circumstances, to get all the vitamins and minerals you need for optimal fertility from the foods you eat. The best way to make up for the shortcomings in your diet and to be sure you meet your minimum nutritional requirements is to take daily prenatal multivitamins at least six months before you want to co
nceive. In addition, other nutrition supplements can be used to enhance your fertility.

  SHOPPING FOR SUPPLEMENTS

  When shopping for nutrition supplements, look for store brands. All vitamins and nutrition supplements are essentially the same, so skip the brand-name products and look for the bargains. If you reach only for the heavily advertised brands, all you’re doing is helping the manufacturer pay for its advertising.

  Don’t pay more for “natural” vitamins and supplements. The biggest difference between natural and synthetic vitamins is cost. Nutrition supplements that come from the laboratory are chemically identical to those that come from the farm. One important exception is vitamin E. The body can absorb and use natural vitamin ? more easily than the synthetic version.

  Check the expiration date on the bottle before you buy. Nutrition supplements lose potency over time. The bottle should bear a “freshness and potency guaranteed through” date somewhere on the label.

  HERS

  Take Up to 10,000 IU of Vitamin A Daily as Part of a Multivitamin Supplement

  Vitamin A is important in the function of the reproductive glands, which regulate ovulation and influence sexual energy. In fact, fish liver oil—a rich source of vitamin A—is a time-honored remedy among Native Americans for women who experience difficulty conceiving. Vitamin A also assists in the metabolism of fat and helps with the healthy function of the eyes, hair, teeth, gums, and mucous membranes.

  Vitamin A in animal tissues is called retinol; vitamin A in plants is called beta-carotene. (Beta-carotene is sometimes called a provitamin because it must be broken down by the body into vitamin A before it acts as a vitamin.) Both vitamin A and beta-carotene are antioxidants; they help protect the body from cancer and improve resistance to certain diseases by neutralizing damaging free radicals.

  Vitamin A and beta-carotene should not be taken in large amounts—more than 10,000 IU (international units)—in pill form or as cod liver oil by pregnant women, diabetics, and people with hypothyroidism or liver disease. (Excessive vitamin A during pregnancy can cause birth defects.) Antibiotics, laxatives, and some cholesterol-lowering drugs can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb vitamin A. Signs of vitamin A deficiency include night blindness, retarded growth, impaired resistance to disease, infection, rough skin, and dry eyes. About 15 percent of all Americans are deficient in vitamin A.

  GOOD FOOD SOURCES OF VITAMIN A

  Fish oils

  Dairy products: whole milk, cream, butter, fortified margarine, eggs, cheese

  Green leafy vegetables

  Yellow and orange vegetables and fruits

  Organ meats

  Red peppers

  Take Up to 50 Milligrams of Vitamin B6 Three Times a Day as Part of a B-complex Supplement

  Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is essential for the function of the reproductive glands. It also assists in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats; aids the formation of red blood cells; and helps in the functioning of the nervous system and brain. It is also required by at least fifty different enzymes in various metabolic processes throughout the body.

  Studies have shown that vitamin B6 significantly increases progesterone levels and improves fertility. In one study of fourteen women with unexplained infertility, twelve became pregnant after taking high doses of vitamin B6 (100 to 800 milligrams daily) for six months. The women ranged in age from twenty-three to thirty-one; they had been infertile from eighteen months to seven years.

  Do not take more than 150 milligrams of vitamin B6 a day without consulting a doctor. Megadoses of vitamin B6 can cause peripheral nerve damage. High doses of one ? vitamin can also throw the others out of balance, since they tend to work together in the body.

  Signs of vitamin B6 deficiency include depression, confusion, convulsions, irritability, insomnia, reduced resistance to infection, sores in the mouth, and itchy skin. Be aware that taking antidepressants, supplemental estrogen, and oral contraceptives may increase the need for vitamin B6. Women who have taken birth control pills tend to experience vitamin B6 deficiency more often than those who have not.

  Take Up to 2.5 Milligrams of Copper Daily

  Copper is necessary for the maintenance of healthy blood cells and bones. Studies have found that infertile women have significantly lower concentrations of copper in their blood plasma than fertile women do. Signs of copper deficiency include anemia and elevated blood cholesterol levels. Be aware that high levels of zinc and vitamin C can reduce copper levels.

  GOOD FOOD SOURCES OF VITAMIN B6

  Meats and poultry

  Grains: whole-grain cereals, wheat germ

  Brewer’s yeast

  Fish

  Eggs

  Carrots

  Nuts: hazelnuts, cashews, peanuts, walnuts

  Sunflower seeds

  Lentils and legumes

  Rice

  Avocados

  Bananas

  Take Up to 500 Milligrams of Evening Primrose Oil Three Times a Day

  The oil from the seeds of the evening primrose plant contains gamma-linolenic acid, an oil much like the essential fatty acid omega-6. A deficiency in the essential fatty acids can contribute to infertility by causing a thickening of the cervical mucus and the formation of mucus hostile to sperm. Evening primrose oil—as well as fish oils—contains fatty acids that can help reverse infertility caused by a mucus problem.

  GOOD FOOD SOURCES OF COPPER

  Shellfish

  Organ meats: liver, kidney

  Fish

  Nuts

  Legumes

  Mushrooms

  Molasses and honey

  Wheat germ and whole-grain cereals

  The gamma-linolenic acid found in evening primrose oil is also a precursor to the formation of certain prostaglandins, which help reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, maintain salt-water balance, and support the immune system. While side effects from evening primrose oil are quite rare, you can avoid nausea by taking the supplements with food.

  GOOD SOURCES OF EVENING PRIMROSE OIL

  Evening primrose oil is commercially available as a nutrition supplement. Look for a product that contains 35 to 40 milligrams of GLA—gammalinolenic acid—per 500 milligram capsule.

  HIS

  Take Up to 4 Grams of Arginine Daily

  Arginine is considered a “nonessential” amino acid, but it may be essential to the formation of healthy sperm. This makes sense when you consider that arginine is required for the replication of cells, including the formation of sperm cells.

  Studies have shown that taking 4 grams of powdered arginine dissolved in water can significantly boost sperm counts and sperm motility in some men, especially those with only moderately depressed sperm counts. One study of 178 men found significant improvement in sperm count and sperm motility in almost three out of four men included in the study who took 4 grams of arginine a day.

  It may take several months for results, so try to be patient. You should take amino acids on an empty stomach for optimal absorption. They can be purchased as capsules, tablets, and powders, either alone, as protein mixtures, or in multivitamin formulas.

  GOOD FOOD SOURCES OF ARGININE

  Animal protein

  Brown rice

  Eggs

  Milk

  Yeast

  Avoid Consuming Any Cottonseed Oil

  While you may not think of foods as contraceptives, cottonseed oil is a rich source of gossypol, an anti-fertility agent that has been examined as a possible active ingredient for a “male birth control pill.” Studies have actually shown that men who use crude cottonseed oil in cooking have low sperm counts and testicular problems. Read your food labels carefully and avoid any product containing cottonseed oil. It is most commonly used in fried foods. (Of course, you cannot rely on cottonseed oil to prevent pregnancy when you want to use a contraceptive, but you should by all means avoid it when you’re trying to get pregnant.)

  Take Up to 500 Milligrams of L-carnitine Dail
y

  L-carnitine is a vitaminlike compound that stimulates energy-producing mitochondria in the cells to break down long-chain fatty acids. L-carnitine levels run quite high in the epididymis (the tube in the scrotum where the sperm are formed) and in the sperm themselves. L-carnitine levels in the body have a direct relationship to sperm vitality: the higher the L-carnitine concentration, the more motile the sperm. L-carnitine is found in the diet and can also be produced by the body, mainly in the liver and kidneys.

  Taking a L-carnitine supplement can help boost fertility. Look for a product labeled L-carnitine, rather than D-carnitine or DL-carnitine. (The L-carnitine is in a molecular form that is more easily used by the body; in some people, the D-form actually creates an L-carnitine deficiency.) Supplemental Carnitine is not recommended for diabetics or people with liver or kidney disease.