Yes, Plan G.
Because Plans A through F didn’t quite pan out…
I figure that since my last medicated cycle was in May, and since then, I’ve been planning on having a surgery which has now been un-planned, I should probably update you all on what exactly it is that I’m doing with my reproductive life.
First and foremost, I’m going back to nature.
Nothing is structurally wrong with my reproductive system that any doctor, nurse, intern, or ultrasound tech can see, so that leads me to deduce that whatever IS wrong with my reproductive state, likely got there by some fault of my own. Whether it’s environment, diet, lifestyle, or some combination of those, I am starting out by working to get my body into the best reproductive shape possible.
Most of my Facebook friends who have had their kids already are now posting nonstop about their Couch to 5K, ColorRun, or Zombie vs. Vampire Mini-Marathon training.
I don’t run, per se, but I am going to start training.
I’m training my ovaries to respond, my uterus to be hospitable, and my overall endocrine system to just plain GET IT TOGETHER.
That leads me into the Phases of Plan G.
*cue the Rocky theme music now*
Phase One – Information
- I’m currently devouring every book about infertility and natural ways to improve fertility that I can get my hands on. Most of it is information that we all have known since our first Clomid cycle, but there are some juicy little tidbits in the “Natural” sections of some infertility how-to’s.
- Thus far, the best book I’ve picked up has been The Infertility Cure by Dr. Randine Lewis. Dr. Lewis started out her career as an RE, and through her own battle with infertility, found her way toward Eastern medicine, acupuncture, and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). I’ll post more on this topic later, but let’s just say that this approach seems to make the most sense to me and my situation, and for someone with Unexplained Infertility in general.
Phase Two – Diet
- Based on the reading I’ve been doing, and based on information I received during my first acupuncture consultation, I’m going to rearrange my diet to accommodate the particular deficiencies I seem to have.
- I’ll go into more detail in a future post, but the majority of the changes are in the temperature of the foods I’m eating and drinking, followed closely by inclusion foods and beverages which promote a “warm” system, while excluding “cold” foods and drinks.
- Interestingly enough, I’m finding that many of the foods my particular type needs to exclude are already foods which I’ve found that I don’t tolerate well, or which cause sickness or reaction. Some of these foods are dairy products, citrus fruits, and tomatoes.
Phase Three – Supplementation
- I’ve been taking prenatal vitamins for five years. FIVE YEARS. While I will continue to take a basic prenatal daily, I’m also going to try some supplements about which I’ve read some decent research.
- A future post will go into further detail on research findings on the usage of Maca Root and Royal Jelly, but for the sake of giving you complete information, these are the two that I’ve recently added to my regimen.
- I’m also taking, as I mentioned, a daily prenatal vitamin, a high quality fish oil supplement daily, vitamin B12 daily, and vitamin D3 twice a week.
Phase Four – Relaxation
- I know, I know; relaxation won’t get you pregnant, but stress can, and often does, have an affect on egg quality. It’s not much, but I’m committing to taking my lifestyle down a notch where possible. This won’t be possible in the workplace, but I’ll do what I can to de-stress at home.
- Ideas on relaxation and stress reduction include, but are not limited to, monthly massages (or more frequently!), yoga, meditation, spending more time actually talking and hanging out with friends, having a beer now and then, and reading trashy fiction under a blanket with hot cup of tea regardless whether the laundry is done or not.
Phase Five – Activity
- This is where things get controversial. I don’t exercise. Like, at all. I don’t play volleyball at the beach, I don’t do crunches when I wake up in the morning, I don’t go to Zumba class with my girlfriends before our morning mimosas (who actually DOES that?), and I don’t run unless something is chasing me. Or unless there are bees. I freakin’ hate bees.
- I’m thin, and don’t need to – and really shouldn’t – lose any weight. That’s why exercise is hard for me. I need to work up a sweat without burning too many calories. Not so easy, is it? That’s why this whole activity thing is Phase Five, and not Phase One. I need a little time to research my options on low-impact, low-calorie-burning exercise that can be done somewhat conveniently, because if it’s inconvenient, I’ll lose interest.
Phase Six – Existence
- I’m going to live my life. On purpose.
- I’m going to make a concerted effort in my friendships, familial relations, work relationships, and marriage.
- I’m going to put the husband and me first instead of putting Infertility ahead of Us.
- I’m going to make more phone calls (texts, emails, carrier pigeons) than I receive.
- I’m going to work to live, and not live to work.
- I’m going to take back as much of what Infertility has taken from me as I possibly can.
- I’m going to use the things Infertility has given me – hope, strength, resolve – to push myself further in life.
- I’m going to pursue my other dreams; the dreams that I forgot about when I found out my family dreams might not come true.
- I’m going to learn be Me again.
So that’s Plan G.
Obviously the whole Six Steps to Pregnancy! thing only works for those who don’t need all six steps (well…and crackheads), but this is what I need to do right now.
Not being in the throes of a medication-frenzy leaves me open to a mad case of the crazies, so having purpose each day really helps. And hey, if those purposeful steps happen to improve my health and well-being, then even better!
Oh, and if they actually help to improve my reproductive capacity…? Well then my book will be out in nine to twelve months.
Watch out, Dr. Lewis… If Plan G works, there might be a new author in town. 😉
Just Stop Trying and It Will Happen... 
Tracy,
I LOVE this post. And I mean love. I am kind of on the same plan “G” as you in some sense, although in my case, the dr.’s have found whats’ wrong with me and insist I move forward with IVF. Like yesterday. Not quite ready yet, but In the meantime, I will prepare my body the best I know how and am moving forward with lots of your steps. For one, I absolutely love the book, The Infertility Cure, and actually just took it off my bookshelf last week to re-read. Also I really like The Fertile Female by Julia Indichova- the whole premise of her book relates to how the power of longing for a child can save your life and change the world.. pretty powerful stuff. Regarding exercise, I have been a yogi for quite some time and highly recommend this practice since it helps with relaxation, movement, exercise, and getting in touch with your body.. hey this could knock down a few steps in one! Your phase six of Existence, really spoke to me.. and I resonate with much of what you say.. It’s so important to be “ourselves” again.. infertility moves you in every direction and I feel that our future children would want this from us the most.. to be ourselves again. Lovely post and wishing you all the best in your continued journey..
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Thanks, friend! I will definitely check out that book suggestion, too! 🙂
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I love a good plan, and yours is great! I really can’t say enough good things about TCM/acupuncture. And while I know you’re probably knee deep in fertility literature, I’ll just throw this book out there as well — Crazy Sexy Diet. Forgive me if I’ve mentioned it before. It’s all about juicing, which … I know. Not my fave. But I’ve had great results with it, as has my friend. There’s just something about cleaning out the system and installing all those nutrients that the body seems to like.
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I’ve really heard some great things about juicing… I’m just about to give in to peer pressure and do it, haha! Thanks for the book recommendation, too!
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A plan always helps me and this one is particularly fab! In all seriousness, I think you’ve done a fantastic job really seeking out what is going to be personally helpful to you. I can’t wait to hear more!
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Thanks, friend! The more I learn, the more I implement… It’s going to be a busy next few months, that’s for sure! 🙂
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I like this plan, especially the phase 6, which I seem to have forgotten…
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I forget too. Regularly. That’s why I had to include that in my plan, because it just doesn’t come naturally to me anymore!
Best of luck, friend! 🙂
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This is awesome. I have done a lot of research on lifestyle factors, mostly reading the primary literature to figure out what to do for myself. I am planning to put a lot of this information on my blog, but I just wanted to tell you that the findings on exercise have been mixed. A recent study may explain why: it found that the effects were different depending on weight. For healthy and low weight women (bmi<25), strenuous exercise was detrimental to fertility. Strenuous activity was helpful only to overweight women. Moderate exercise in limited amounts was helpful. I can point you to this study if you like.
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You know, I’ve heard similar things about exercise – both good and bad. I’m thinking to keep things low-key with walking and maybe yoga. Nothing crazy…
And yes! Please feel free to link to the study, as I’d be glad to check it out! 🙂
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By the way, I LOVE your phase six. Something I need to work on for sure.
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You have got it together, girl!! This is so amazing you should be published now!!
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Aw, thanks, friend! 🙂 I am working on getting it together… I feel like I’m getting closer!
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this is brilliant, good on you. If you’re looking for another chinese medicine fertility book the ‘baby making bible’ by Emma Cannon is pretty good xx
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OOOOH, great suggestion! I will check it out! Thanks, friend. 🙂
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I love this!!! And I need to get that book!
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It’s a really great book! Another good one I just finished is “Making Babies” by Jill Blakeway and Sami David – very similar premise, but broken down in a more simple way for general public consumption. 🙂
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I LOVE phase 6!! I’m at that stage now, you have to live your life!! Easier said than done for me:) Still fighting the good fight but trying to remember I have a husband, family and friends. I have dreams and sometimes those dreams need a little..push;)
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I hear THAT, friend! 😉
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What a fabulous post! I feel like I am now on much of the same process. “The natural approach”. I enjoyed Infertility Cure and after reading your post feel that I should probably take another look!. I too have unexplained infertility with the recent diagnosis of possible egg quality issue. So, for me, it’s the natural approach or egg donor. Lots to think about and process. I was really good about yoga for a full year and kind of got out of it this March when life got really busy( probably the worst time to get out of it!) I highly recommend giving it a try…gentle yoga is a great relaxing/focusing/mediating opportunity. I am loving accupuncture and fund it helps with relaxation also, and overall health and wellness. I wish you much success on this new plan!
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Yes, check out TIC again soon! I’m about to see a new TCM practitioner, and he seems convinced that the natural approach is the best way for unexplained infertility. Maybe it will work for both of us!! 🙂
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I’m a new reader here. I read your last few posts and this seemed to be the one to comment on. I just wanted to support you in your choice to go the natural route. Recently my partner and I were diagnosed with secondary infertility. I have DOR (AMH of .4) and my partner has MFI. We were given a 2% chance of conceiving on our own. We couldn’t afford treatments so we went the same route you’re going (I had read Lewis’s book when we were
TTC#1 and I returned to it after our diagnoses). We overhauled our diet, taking out wheat, diary, sugar, caffeine and alcohol (and cold drinks) and of course all processed foods. I went to acupuncture and we both took a ton of supplements (I listed then all on my blog). Three months after doing all this (to be fair, is been doing acupuncture for three months before the diet overhaul) we were pregnant. We’re due in late October. And it should be mentioned that I was doing all this when we got pregnant with our first because I’d never had a menstrual cycle without taking the pill for all of my twenties so I was being preemptive in our attempts at TTC #1. It took us a year (and one ectopic) to get pregnant the first time too and now I’m sure we only got pregnant then because of what I was doing at the time to enhance my fertility. I just wanted to say that I’m a BIG believer in the power of this stuff. I REALLY hope your efforts bring you the results you’re hoping for too.
Good luck!
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Thank you, Esperanza! It’s always amazing to hear a success story! I will be checking in with your blog as well, and look forward to following your story as it continues. 🙂
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