What they don’t tell you in 8th grade health class is that every women’s menstrual cycle is different. It’s most common to have 28 day cycles with periods that last 4 to 7 days, but if your cycle differs from this slightly, it’s probably no big deal. The most important thing is to know the specifics of your individual menstrual cycle and the best way to get to know your cycle is to pay attention and track it. The more you know about your body and your cycle, the easier it will be to get pregnant!

Day one of your cycle is the first day of bleeding.

Ok, now that you know how many days are in your cycle, you gotta figure out when you are ovulating. It’s usually between day 11 and day 16, but most commonly between day 12 and day 14. To figure out what day you are ovulating I recommend two things; use an ovulation predictor kit and check your cervical mucus. Do both. The look and feel of your cervical mucus is probably the most accurate predictor of ovulation. Keep an eye out for slippery, clear cervical mucus. When your cervical mucus looks kinda like egg whites…have sex. To increase your chances of getting pregnant, have sex every other day until your cervical mucus dries up. A good rule of thumb is to have sex every other day, starting four days before you typically ovulate and for four days after.

It’s important to note that male sperm can live inside the uterus for an average of 3 to 4 days.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s look at few things that couples don’t always think to look at. For example, household poisons and pollutants.

Household poisons and getting pregnant

The next few topics are recommendations for BOTH men and women. If both partners improve their health, it makes getting pregnant a lot easier!

I’m going to bundle a bunch of things into the category of household poisons. I know you’ve heard this before but you absolutely must stop smoking, drinking alcohol and drinking coffee (or caffeinated drinks) if you want to get pregnant. Seriously. There are many opinions on this subject and some people think…oh just one cup won’t be a problem. I personally recommend couples completely eliminate all caffeine, alcohol and cigarets from their lives. This will make it easier to get pregnant and make for healthier pregnancies, healthier deliveries and healthier babies.

The other members of household poisons are toxic chemicals in our cleaning supplies, in our cosmetics and pesticides on our food. Taking the time to eliminate these dangerous chemicals from your home is an important step in preparing for pregnancy.

Food Allergies & Intolerances

If you have had difficulty getting pregnant, it’s also worth looking at your diet. You’ll want to both boost nutrient dense foods such as green leafy vegetables and highly colorful vegetables and remove foods to which you may be allergic or have an intolerance. The first on the list to investigate: wheat, dairy and soy. If you have any chronic health issues such as nasal allergies, difficulty sleeping, digestive trouble, irregular menstrual cycles, headaches/migraines or infertility, it’s worth taking a close look at your diet and eliminating wheat, dairy and soy as well a any foods that cause you symptoms. I recommend completely eliminating these common allergens for three months and then add them back into your diet one at a time. If you have an allergy or difficulty digesting one of the foods, you will notice unpleasant symptoms when they are reintroduced into your diet.

As I mentioned in the beginning, I believe that majority of couples can dramatically improve their chances of getting pregnant if they take the time to learn about timing, to remove toxic chemicals and pollutants from your life and eliminate food allergens and intolerances.

Please let me know if you have questions on how you can enhance your fertility! I’m always available to answer your questions.

Angela

Angela Bell | Acupuncture for Women
Offices in Cambridge, MA & York, ME

INTERESTED IN RE-POSTING THIS ARTICLE? Please include the following text when re-posting.
Angela Bell Lic. Ac., MAOM
Offices in Cambridge, MA & York, ME | www.bellacupuncture.com
Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine specializing in infertility, pregnancy and women’s health.

Today’s blog is about what you should do before you get pregnant and how to increase your chances of getting pregnant. There is so much you can do to get your body ready for pregnancy, enhance you chance of conception and heal chronic health issues that may be causing infertility.

Here’s the deal, we are absolutely inundated with toxic substances. By now most of us realize that we should avoid pesticides by eating organic, non-gmo foods, but do you know about the chemicals in your shampoo, dish washer detergent and even your carpets? Many of these toxic chemicals are considered endocrine disruptors which means that they interfere with your delicate hormone balance. These endocrine disrupting chemicals reek havoc with your body and seriously impact your ability to get pregnant and carry a pregnancy to term.

The key thing to remember is that it’s the accumulation of all these pollutants that causes disease, infertility, miscarriages and health challenges in children. The good news is that with just a little effort you can remove a lot of these chemicals from your daily life. Believe me, it’s worth it.

Start by removing toxins from your home. Detoxing involves looking at all of the products in your house including but not limited to:

all cleaning supplies
toothpaste
shampoo & conditioner
face wash
soap
nail care
hair styling products
face/body cream
sunscreen
makeup
laundry detergent
dish washer detergent

**Please be sure to dispose of these products safely, never pour down the drain. Take them to the dump in their original containers.

The tricky part is knowing which products are bad and which products are good. You can pretty much bet that anything purchased from your local grocery store contains a significant number of toxic chemicals. The safest thing to do is buy products from a health food store or from online stores that sell chemical free cleaning supplies and cosmetics. These days there are more and more companies providing safe options. You can also make your own!

Here are a few places to shop:
www.planetnatural.com
www.seventhgeneration.com
www.modernmermaidsproducts.com
www.desertessence.com

This process takes work but every little bit helps. You can buy chemical free products at Whole Foods and at dozens of online stores. Just do a Google search for “Chemical-free laundry detergent or sunscreen or shampoo, you’ll be amazed with all of the options.

Just so you start to get familiar with names of chemicals, here are a few of the worst offenders when it comes to conception, pregnancy and reproductive health:

Parabens (methylparaben E218, ethylparaben E214, propyloaraben E216, butylparaben) A low cost preservative which acts as a Estrogen mimicker. When the intricate estrogen system is disrupted by outside sources, hormonal chaos ensues. Can be found in a range of industries from cosmetic and personal hygiene to food and pharmaceutical.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) Used as a lining for many types of food containers. It is exposed when heated in the dishwasher and microwave. Studies suggest women exposed to BPA had repeat spontaneous abortions. Can be found in the plastic lining of canned foods, plastic containers, aluminum cans, & house dust.

Pthalates Fragrance ingredient, solvent, used to increase the flexibility of plastics. This chemical has been proven to be a reproductive toxin.

Removing these toxins from your home is a big deal and will greatly benefit your preconception, pregnancy, postpartum health and beyond!

Your body will start to notice the difference immediately.

To help the detox process and prepare for pregnancy, I recommend skin brushing, acupuncture, juicing and regular exercise.

Skin Brushing stimulates the Lymph System and helps your body naturally eliminate stored toxins.

Acupuncture opens up the meridians, promotes healthy blood flow to help heal and rid the body of stored chemicals and pollutants.

Juicing provides your body with essential vitamins and minerals which it requires for cell repair.

Exercise enhances the detoxification process, promotes proper lymph function, increases blood and oxygen flow and helps cell regeneration

The moral of the story is get these toxins out of your life and hurry up about it! Not only is this an excellent way to prepare for pregnancy but it will change your health for the better now and in the long-run.

Please let me know if you have any questions. I always have time for you!

Angela

Angela Bell | Acupuncture for Women
Offices in Cambridge, MA & York, ME

INTERESTED IN RE-POSTING THIS ARTICLE? Please include the following text when re-posting.
Angela Bell Lic. Ac., MAOM
Offices in Cambridge, MA & York, ME | www.bellacupuncture.com
Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine specializing in infertility, pregnancy and women’s health.

When you’re trying to have a baby, you want to be in the best health possible. Performing a fertility cleanse is a great way to prepare your body for conception. The Fertility Cleanse Kit works to even out hormonal imbalances, release toxins and support your reproductive system.

The all-natural herbs, vitamins and minerals in the Fertility Cleanse Kit work to remove impurities from the uterus and increase circulation to the reproductive system. And because it’s a kit, there’s no running around town or the Internet trying to gather all the different teas and extracts – everything you need is in one box.

A huge benefit of the Fertility Cleanse is that it supports your liver through the use of herbs so it’s better able to process toxins and purify your system. Also, you may not realize it but the uterus isn’t always able to empty its entire contents during every cycle. By completely clearing the old lining, this cleanse helps you provide the best possible environment for a new embryo.

For couples struggling to conceive, a cleanse is a great option for encouraging fertility and improving your chances of getting pregnant. The Fertility Cleanse Kit is specifically formulated to promote uterine wellness and a healthy reproductive system, and it’s a lot less expensive than a trip to the fertility doctor.

http://www.bellacupuncture.com/fertility-products

As always, if you have any questions please email or call me.

Angela
(617) 512-3193
www.bellacupuncture.com

Conventional tampons and pads contain harmful chemicals and toxins that pollute your body. Luckily there are an increasing number of green products on the market that are much safer for you and the environment.

One such product is the Moon Cup. Made of soft, non-latex, medical grade silicone, the Moon Cup Menstrual Cup is a healthy, safe and reusable alternative to traditional pads and tampons. Rather than working like a sponge, the Moon Cup collects your flow in an internal receptacle so that you can simply empty, rinse and reinsert.

Because the Moon Cup catches your flow instead of absorbing it, your vaginal tissues don’t get as dried out as they do with regular tampons. It’s more comfortable than a traditional tampon, and you just simply rinse it out when it gets full. The best part is that the Moon Cup can last up to ten years, which will save you hundreds of dollars in disposable products!

As always, please call or email me should you have any questions.

Angela
(617) 512-3193

http://www.bellacupuncture.com/fertility-products

There are several different modalities that can help manage hormone imbalances, but I believe the most powerful tool you have is the food you eat. By simply changing your diet, you can alter your internal biochemistry and manage your PCOS naturally. I highly recommend the the eBook, “The Natural Diet Solution for PCOS and Infertility” for anyone dealing with PCOS (whether you are trying to get pregnant or not).

Angela Bell | Acupuncture for Women
Offices in Cambridge, MA & York, ME

1. Improve ovarian response — better egg production
2. Increase ovarian and uterine blood flow — better ovarian response
3. Help prepare the uterine lining — increased implantation rates
4. Improve sperm count, motility, and morphology
5. Lessen the side effects of hormone treatments
6. Regulate hormones of the hypothalamus, pituitary, and gonads
7. Decrease reproductive immunologic reactions
8. Decrease uterine contractility at implantation
9. Resolve stress to promote relaxation
10. Reduce the incidence of miscarriage

It is important to understand that the overall approach in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is radically different than that of Western Medicine. With great detail, Acupuncturists and Chinese Herbalists evaluate each patients overall health including such things as: sleep patterns, digestive health, emotional tendencies, menstrual cycles, energy levels and much more. After taking the information gathered in the initial intake along with diagnostic clues found by taking the pulse and evaluating the tongue, a core diagnosis is made. It is on this diagnosis that treatment protocols and point prescriptions (which acupuncture points are needled) are based. Traditional Chinese Medicine is a very individual practice and focuses on each patients specific diagnosis. The problems leading to a core diagnosis cause dysfunction in meridians and organ systems which in turn lead to the types of issues in the above list.

It is this holistic approach which first attracted me to acupuncture and continues to help the couples in my practice conceive.

Angela

Angela Bell Acupuncture 186 Alewife Brook Parkway, Suite 302, Cambridge, MA 02138

www.bellacupuncture.com

(617) 512-3193

The secret to digestive health is the food we eat….well after a closer look, maybe it’s the foods we don’t eat. Over the years of treating patients with digestive health problems, I have found that the vast majority have food allergies. Left untreated, food allergies wreak havoc on the lining of the intestines and eventually lead to symptoms like those associated with IBS, abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, constipation or irregular bowel movements.

Let me say a quick word about the term allergy. One does not have to have an actual allergy to a food for it to cause digestive problems. Often patients have an intolerance to a certain food, which means it irritates the intestines and causes pain or disruption in bowel movements. Whether allergy or intolerance, if a food is aggravating a condition, it should be avoided.

I won’t say it’s quick or easy, but there is a way back to digestive health. It is though changes in the diet. These are often radical changes and involve completely eliminating foods that are irritating the intestines. For those experiencing IBS or related symptoms I highly recommend following an elimination diet to find out if the body does have any food sensitivities. In my practice, I guide patients through an elimination diet and most often start by recommending they completely rid the diet of wheat, dairy and soy. It sounds like a lot of work and to be honest, it is. But, if you are sick of feeling like you have no control over your health and you are sick of feeling sick, it’s well worth it!

Changing the diet so radically is a huge undertaking and I encourage you to seek help from a professional. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me for a health consultation. I am always willing to answer your questions via email or over the phone.

Here is one resource to get you started http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/04/12/elimination-diet-30-day-challenge-to-remove-gluten-dairy-caff/

Angela

Angela Bell Acupuncture 186 Alewife Brook Parkway, Suite 302, Cambridge, MA 02138
www.bellacupuncture.com
(617) 512-3193

For patients who want to understand their breast health in more depth, I recommend Breast Thermography. If you would like more information on Thermography I recommend calling Jackie Bell, a Natural Medicine Consultant and Holistic Breast Health Specialist.

https://www.naturalbell.com/About_Us.html

As always, please feel free to call me with questions or to set up a free 20 phone consult.

Angela

Angela Bell Acupuncture, 186 Alewife Brook Parkway, Suite 302, Cambridge, MA 02138 www.bellacupuncture.com (617) 512-3193

As always, there are things you can do at home to relieve morning sickness naturally.  These are my favorites:

• Most importantly get plenty of rest and exercise

• Keep Hydrated – Nausea is one of the first signs of dehydration for both mother and fetus.  Try to drink liquids that will provide electrolytes but don’t have added sugars.  I like many of the new coconut water drinks and I sell a seaweed drink at my office that is fantastic (call or come in to place an order).  Please, please stay away from Gatorade, it has WAY too much sugar and can actually upset the stomach and intensify nausea.

• Preggie Pops (http://www.threelollies.com) – One of my favorite products for morning sickness.

• Early morning snack – Before your feet even touch the ground in the morning, have a few crackers.  Having food in the stomach helps to settle nausea.

• Graze on small meals and snacks throughout the day to keep blood sugar levels stable and ease nausea.

• Have a high protein snack before bed can help calm morning sickness.

• Drink ginger tea – I recommend shredding a tablespoon of raw ginger into a mug and pouring boiling water over it.  Sip on several cups throughout the day.  WWW.Natural-homeremedies.com recommends: Take 1/2 tsp ginger juice, 1 tsp fresh limejuice, 1 tsp mint juice and 1 tsp honey and mix well. Drink this mixture 3-4 times in a day.

• Adequate Vitamin B in the diet – Women taking pre-natal vitamins should be receiving sufficient amounts.

I want to take a moment to mention Hyperemensis gravidarum, severe morning sickness often resulting in constant nausea and vomiting.  Thought relatively rare, this affects approximately 50,000 women in the United State every year and is a serious condition.  Women who are suffering from Hyperemensis gravidarum should consult their doctors immediately.  If you are suffering from severe morning sickness and are hoping to avoid medication, I recommend consulting both your OBGYN and an acupuncturist.  Receiving regular acupuncture and following as many of the above recommendations, can make a huge difference in controlling nausea and the associated symptoms.  Please call anytime if you have questions.  I’m always available to help!  (617) 512-3193

Angela

Angela Bell Acupuncture

Cambridge, MA

www.bellacupuncture.com