by

info@springfertility.com.au | springfertility.com.au

33 TipsTowards

BetterFertility

How to become more fertile when you're not sure where to begin.

Trying to Conceive (TTC) is easy for some and not forothers. We are all different and our bodies require differentneeds for successful conception, depending on our healthhistory.

Going through a methodical process of eliminating causesfor infertility saves time, money and emotional stress.

This checklist provides ideas you may not have consideredor tried, to improve your fertility. Its not an exhaustive list,nor in any particular order.

Look at this as a good beginning for some Fertility Basics.We'll look at managing your stress & lifestyle as well asnutrition and balancing your hormones.

1. Consult with your GP if you've been TTC for only afew months, they'll probably turn you away with the well-meaning advice to "keep trying" but its still a good resourcefor information. If its been over 12 months of unprotectedsex, they might be able to help you start with referrals orfurther testing.

2. A Fertility Specialist can be the next step if age orlimited time or medical history are factors in your Fertility.Further testing should be done such as AMH anddiscussing options including IVF. Just keep in mind thattherapies like acupuncture can still be part of an IVF orSpecialist managed plan.

3. Fertility Acupuncture. See a registered Acupuncturistfor hormone balancing, to promote good ovulation, periodcycle regulation and PMS management. And if you're usingIVF, definitely get Acupuncture before and after yourembryo transfer, the research says it helps.

4. Use the wisdom of Chinese Herbs. Taking ChineseHerbs prescribed by a Registered Chinese MedicinePractitioner can promote a regular cycle for women andassist sperm count for Men.

5. Calm your mind. Meditate for 10 mins a day as regularlyas you can. If you need some App help search for "CalmApp" or "Yoga Nidra App" in the app store theres a fewgreat options in there.

6. Good to the bone. Bone Broth is like gold for fertility.

7. Eliminate emotional baggage. See a clinicalHypnotherapist to work on fears and anxieties.

Check out my blogpost with this recipe.

I can recommend this one

I can help you - here is my clinic.

8. Tap Away! Try "The Tapping Solution" for managingstress and emotional ups and downs. This is EFT. Check outtheir book or clips on The Tapping Solution's youtubechannel.

9. Benefit from your EPA/DHA's. Take a good quality FishOil supplement, not just any old thing. Quality meanseverything.

10. Heal your gut. Taking a good quality Probiotic can helpcombat any immune factors that might be preventingsuccessful conception, as well as thrush or candida.

11. Try one of the 4 K's. Incorporate fermented food intoyour diet: Kefir, Kombucha, Kraut, Kimchi- just pick one andstick with it for a week to feel the difference. Also great forcolonising the gut with the good bacteria.

12. Get Real with your R & R. Assign real down-time inyour week to really completely rest. This time is sacred andnot negotiable.

13. Ovulating? Not sure? Take an Ovulation test or LH testfrom day 10 onwards to get specific about when and ifyou're ovulating.

Here's a quick link to it.

14. What are your graphs telling you? Chart yourtemperatures to check if you're ovulating. Better than that, Ican analyse your graphs to reveal a lot more informationabout cycle length and if you're within average ranges.

15. Use smart technology. Track your period cycle on asmart phone app, noting all symptoms and signs that occurthroughout the cycle including irritability, bloating, fluidretention or tiredness.

16. Air out your concerns. Speak your mind. Have a voice.Speaking to a counsellor if you've been given distressingnews about your fertility levels or dealing with miscarriageis a healthy, constructive coping strategy.

17. Overcome your Sweet Tooth. Avoid excess sugarysweet things such as junk food, cakes, biscuits, chocolate,lollies and those addictive sugary chai lattes.

18. Spleen Friendly Foods. Focus more on vegetablesources of carbohydrates which are Spleen friendly foods.

I've created a Spleen-friendly foodlist and you can access this here.

A counsellor specialising inFertility & Pregnancy is ideal, like this one.

19. Cold & Raw is out, warm is in. Chinese Medicine saysto avoid physically cold or raw foods in excess when TTC tobenefit the Spleen Qi. Things such as iced water, frappes,iced coffee, milkshakes, ice-cream, fresh juices, raw vegesand fruits straight out of the fridge. Its too cold- the Uterus,Kidneys and Spleen function best with warmth.

20. Get moving for PMS. Do more vigorous exercise in thesecond half of your hormone cycle to move stuck qi thatoften builds up around PMS time.

21. Go with the period flow. Be more aware of yourperiod flow by taking a look - does it have clots in it? is itheavy? or light? It can be a bit off-putting but there is a lotof useful information for your Acupuncturist in thesedetails.

22. Pain, Pain go away. Manage and sort out your periodpain with natural options such as Chinese Herbs, Traumeelor Acupuncture

23. Get Sperm Tested. Ask your GP for a referral for aSperm Test if it hasn't been screened before.

24. It comes down to your Jing. Jing is your reproductive& fertility essence. Practice preserving your Kidney Jing by

following the tips mentioned in this article.

25. Two to Tango. Get your partner's commitment to anyvital Fertility Specialist appointments- it takes two to tangoand it saves you explaining things twice later. It's good forpartners to know what you're going through if its IVF, or foraccountability, both of you making changes to your healthto improve conception chances.

26. Swap foot massages with your partner. Reflexologyzones in the feet can help energise you if you'retired OR relax you if you're wired.Another reason to do this is important acupressure pointsin the foot for activating Kidney energy, and it gets youpractising self care which is so important.

27. Get tested for MTHFR if you've had recurrentmiscarriages previously. If you're interested, I can

28. Open your Heart. Opening up your Heart energy orstimulating the emotional centres of your brain caninfluence hormones and your fertility. This could berelaxation exercises, volunteering, random acts of kindness,anything that makes you feel GOOD. The Heart MathInstitute is a good resource for tools, exercises andresearch about developing your Heart-Mind connection.

recommend this Genetic Counsellor in Sydney.

29. OMMM... Practice Yoga 2-3 times per week to move yourstuck Qi. Seeing a Yoga Teacher that specialises in fertility &pregnancy would be fantastic,

30. Test your AMH. Get AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone)levels tested through a Fertility Specialist. This is yourOvarian Reserve and determines whether it is at levelsnormal for your age. It can be an indicator of how much timeyou have to try to conceive before it can be limited by adecreasing number of eggs.

31. Counting Z's. Do whatever it takes to improve yoursleep patterns. Sleep is an easy & natural way to optimiseyour body clock and therefore your hormone cycles.

32. One size doesn't fit all. See a Nutritionist for a customdesigned prescription of supplements rather than onlytaking a Pregnancy Multi. We are all different with oursupplement needs.

33. Bon Voyage. Go on a holiday! Yes, really! Minimisingstress regulates the Hypothalamus/Pituitary which is thecontrol centre for our hormone feedback loops. The powerof resting and relaxing can have a huge impact on yourfertility and hormones, especially if you're really stressedand worn out. R & R can often lead to an unexpectedpositive pregnancy test. Enjoy your trip!

I can recommend this one if you're in Sydney.

like this one.

My name is Katika Funnell and I’m a registered Acupuncturist& Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner.

I was fortunate to have acupuncture on my radar when Iwas Trying To Conceive (TTC). It helped me manage thechallenges, stress, discomfort & symptoms that comewith TTC, being pregnant and beyond. Acupuncture was partof my fertility plan and I think it played a big part in helpingme conceive successfully.

I had a relatively normal pregnancy, besides some morningsickness, reflux & heartburn. I used acupuncture in the leadup to the birth for labour preparation and acupunctureinduction.

For most of us, Health & Wellness are at the center ofeverything we do and who we are. It allows us to work, play,be happy, spend time with our family and gives usindependence. Without it, they say, we don’t have much.

When I studied Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) it openedup a new way of thinking to me, that injury, health & wellbeingcould benefit from simple & natural options just as effectivelyas Western Medicine.

Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine & Health – I’vedevoted my time to practicing these since 2003.

About Katika

Health Philosophy

I qualified through the University of Technology, Sydney andearned a Bachelor of Health Science in Traditional ChineseMedicine in 2002.

I went to China as a part of my education through UTS andobserved and practiced in Hangzhou Red Cross Hospital inZhejiang Province. This included time spent in the fertilitydepartment where couples benefited from both worlds -Eastern & Western Medicine in the one place.

I look forward to working with clients who need assistancewhen it comes to fertility, IVF, pregnancy & post natal support.My aim is to help women get the ultimate result, a healthybaby, by a healthy mum.But along the way, seeing clients relax, feel better, moreenergetic and happier is all part of the journey.

I look forward to hearing your story.

Katika FunnellB. HSc. TCM (UTS), DRM, Cert Acupuncture (China)Registered Acupuncturist & Chinese Herbal MedicinePractitioner (AHPRA), Member ATMS

Experience & Qualifications you can trust

Helping couples on their Fertility Journey

You can email me or look at my Chinese Medicine FertilityTreatment Packages online at springfertility.com.au