Second time around... more stress, more pressure?

"So when is the next one coming along?"
I actually think I have been asked this question four times today. And as for yesterday, at least twice. If I tally it up for the week we are probably sitting at at least 20. Thats a lot of asking! Now, I assume I may get asked this question more than most because of the line of work I am in, and honestly, I don't mind. However, what I can appreciate is how stressful this question may be to those who are trying without success second time around.

The first time we enter pregnancy, we really don't have much insight or experience with what lies ahead, simply because we have never been in that situation before. Some of us are fortunate enough first time round to not necessarily 'try' to conceive and others the journey has been longer, but the fact remains that the second time around, we do have some idea as to what will lie ahead.

What also differs second time around is that you have a child already. You spend endless hours looking after them and the meeting their demands which is a strain on the body. We may still be waking to them overnight (surely Im not the only one) and in many cases our bodies don't quite feel the same as they once did.

Add to this associated fears going into the next pregnancy and you have yourself quite a large bundle of extra added stress! Now many specialists will argue that stress will not cause infertility. I would go as far as saying that it might be, in my experience, the number one cause (aside from structural problems). Stress affects our bodies, right down to the cellular level - a proven fact, which demonstrates to me that stress, be it emotional or physical and even that which we aren't conscious of has a great impact on our reproductive health. Don't get me wrong, I do not think that there is just one factor that has a negative impact on our fertility, overall health is just as important.

We are having amazing breakthroughs in the clinic with assisting patients deal with emotional and physical factors. Using TCM to support the body as well as wholistic techniques to facilitate the 'offloading' of stress is proving to deliver amazing results.

Its not always possible to remove all pressure, but teaching your body to cope and process thoughts and feelings will enable you to approach the next pregnancy with an open heart and an open mind. The lack of sleep and the endless questions from others will still be there, but the effect they have on you may be less as you learn to 'de clutter' that what makes you stressed!

Why fertility drugs may work for some and not for others

Nothing has changed this week, in terms of drawing on clinical experience for a topic for my blog. It is sometimes tricky to write from an objective point of view, when so often much of my material I write about goes against the grain. This topic is no different. I feel somewhat drawn to discussing fertility drugs, specifically clomid/serophene/clomifene or similar this week - going by not one, but several instances in the clinic where women have been prescribed it because western medicine has nothing else to serve them.

Clomid is an interesting drug. If you are unfamiliar with it, its is a prescribed fertility drug that basically encourages the body to ovulate. Whilst it does successfully induce ovulation by up to 90%, only 5 - 25% of women taking it will fall pregnant as a result. Unfortunately, the chances of miscarriage in women using the drug is higher. One of the main side effects of Clomifene is that it dries up the cervical fertile mucus, necessary to nurture, feed and transport sperm to the ovum. Without this, it is very difficult for pregnancy to result. But wait... there's more! Clomifene also thins the uterine lining, making it harder to conceive, since the fertilised egg requires a thick healthy endometrium to implant into. I suspect these two factors alone (decreased mucus and thinning of the lining) may be why pregnancy rates are so low by those taking Clomifene.

We see alot of women through their fertility journey - some taking or have previously taken clomid. Good news for them is that Acupuncture and Herbal Medicines have been shown to improve both uterine lining and cervical mucus as it works on hormone regulation and supporting body function. This is a result of increased blood flow to the reproductive organs, as well as TCM supporting the overall workings of the body. Furthermore, acupuncture has also been show to decrease miscarriage rates substantially. Clomid or not - both these factors are extremely important to address in the overall scheme of fertility.

As to why drugs work for some and not others - it entirely depends on the constitution of the patient. Some patients need less support and others need a lot! One thing remains the same however - any form of supportive treatment will benefit a patient no matter what the constitution. Its just another reason why I love TCM! (Traditional Chinese Medicine)

Of course, if I had my way with every patient, it would be to enable them to grasp the concept of making their body work properly. Encouraging body systems to work as one, certainly possible with alternative treatments, lifestyle changes & education. Sadly, this isn't always possible, but it is possible to support a women's fertility whatever stage of that journey she is at.