There are so many beneficial things you can do to help improve your chances of conception, and quickly. Ideally, you would want to start detoxing your body and consuming the proper nutrients a year prior to conception. If you are just starting to think about growing your family in the next year, start doing these things now! However, you may be on the opposite end of the spectrum and perhaps have been TTC for years and may have already started fertility treatments. Wherever you may be in your journey, adding these things to your daily routines and regimens can help support a healthy pregnancy, and may help to heal your body naturally of any fertility struggles you have endured.
Please note, I am not a doctor and must say that I cannot guarantee that the following information will cure health issues you are facing. I am simply sharing information I have come to trust after hours upon hours of research and have found helpful in our fertility journey. I would love to share any information I have and helpful tips that could be the difference maker in your personal journey! Please do, however, consult with your physician before changing your everyday supplement and workout routine.
FAIR WARNING: This is a lengthy post, but SO WORTH the read. You will find a wealth of information about how you can naturally and effectively support your and your partner’s bodies as you begin or continue on your infertility journey. These recommendations are simple and so easy to start doing TODAY. You may be surprised at how even the simplest adjustments can make the greatest impact on your road to having a little baby in your arms.
We have also attached some (affiliate) links to make it easier for you to find the items you need to put together your trying to conceive regimen. This means at no additional cost to you we may receive a commission if you purchase products from one of our links. However, we only recommend products we love and we try to find the best deals for you. Click here or on the picture to see our full disclosure.
First and foremost, schedule a preconception checkup with your OBGYN and Primary Care Provider. You and your partner will want to make sure your body is as healthy as it can be before reproducing and getting pregnant with a precious little one! Your providers will check things like blood pressure, blood levels, check for STDs, analyze your body weight and nutrition intake, etc. This is a great time to review current medications you are taking and how they may affect your fertility and which medications they would recommend you stop taking upon getting pregnant. This would also be a great opportunity to speak with both your primary care physician and your OBGYN about any supplements and essential oils you wish to add to your regimen.
Secondly, stop doing anything that may impact your ability to get pregnant or that could be harmful to your baby when you do get pregnant. You will want to stop using birth control, quit smoking, and consider cutting back on alcohol and caffeine. And of course, try to get a good night’s rest nightly!
Thirdly, tracking your cycle can be extremely helpful in getting pregnant faster. The more you understand your cycle, the better you will be at pinpointing ovulation and timed intercourse for conception. I have loved using the Ovia fertility app for tracking my cycle and symptoms. I have been able to look back on years worth of cycles to help answer questions my reproductive endocrinologist has had about my cycles. Next on the list – tracking ovulation. There are many different signs your body gives that ovulation is coming or that you have ovulated. Testing hormone levels using ovulation predictor tests is one of the most common ways. You can find really inexpensive tests online, but my favorite to use are the Clear Blue Digital tests. There is less involved in using these, and using them month after month, the convenience is appreciated!
Another great ovulation tracker is the Ava Bracelet. This is seriously one of the greatest inventions on the fertility world! Again, tracking your cycle month after month, or, in our case, year after year, convenience is appreciated! I couldn’t for the life of me remember to check my basal body temperature BEFORE getting out of bed and didn’t care to check all the other signs your body gives you (you can look this up yourself). The Ava bracelet is amazing at pinpointing your most fertile days. Ava measures your skin temperature, resting pulse rate, breathing rate, sleep patterns and much more! And, HEY! You can receive $20 off your purchase by using my referral link: http://avawomen.ref-r.com/c/i/10619/13570759.
Learn more about how the Ava bracelet works by visiting their website here: https://www.avawomen.com/how-ava-works/
You hear it everywhere – start taking prenatal vitamins! Definitely, yes! I’m sure, too, that you’ve probably done a great deal of research and blog reading to see the many supplements and herbal remedies everyone else offers. I would love to share some information with you that you may not realize about supplements and direct you towards supplements your body will actually absorb. And believe me – this is information I wish I knew YEARS ago when we first started trying for a baby!
I just learned the bulk of this information a few months prior to our IVF cycle – after we had already completed 5 IUI cycles and had our IVF cycle paid for. Don’t be like me… don’t wait to start using HIGH QUALITY supplements that can completely change your health around!
Generally speaking, supplements you can find at your local grocery store are created from synthetics and your body has a hard time breaking them down. They are extremely cost effective, but in the long run you may be wasting your money as your body may not be getting as much nutrients as you think. However, wholefood supplements infused with essential oils are much more bio-available to your body. Your body is able to absorb the nutrients much better, and the essential oils themselves are rich in antioxidants and can help to facilitate natural detoxification within the cells of your body. The nutrients from supplements infused with essential oils are able to enter to your cell walls and the cell membrane, which in return excretes the waste from your cells – detox! Essential oils are an incredible companion for herbal, vitamin, and mineral supplements. You can learn more about essential oils on our Health and Wellness page.
Here are some high quality products that I HIGHLY recommend you add to your prenatal and trying to conceive regimen.
Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and help to protect your cells from further damage. This helps to boost your immune system, slow the aging process and revive your cells – including the cells that make up eggs, sperm, and the very DNA that will make the baby formed from an egg and sperm. Ningxia Red is an antioxidant super-food puree drink made from the Ningxia Wolfberry which is one of the highest scoring fruits on the Antioxidant ORAC scale! Ningxia Red has essential oils too, and remember – they are a powerful companion to supplements. See all the wonderful benefits of Ningxia here: https://ningxiared.com/benefits/
Now, here is a supplement regimen that I wish I would have found sooner, and studied sooner. The longer I am with Young Living, the more knowledge I gain about whole body nutrition and quality supplements. I believe that taking the right supplements and using essential oils as part of your daily health regimen can truly help to heal your body of some of the greatest health struggles we are facing. My husband and I started taking the supplements just a few months before our IVF cycle, which we had already committed to doing. We have felt and seen some great benefits since using Ningxia Red and the following quality supplements! When we decide to start trying for another baby, we will definitely be using this regimen along with essential oils to support our endocrine system and fertility journey!- Multivitamin – I’ve been using the Honest Whole-Food Prenatal Vitamin. You can start a monthly wellness bundle and receive your multivitamin and DHA Omega3s needed for pregnancy right to your door! Young Living also has a phenomenal multi called Master Formula. This can be taken by both you and your partner to support overall health.
Master Formula is a full spectrum, multinutrient complex, providing premium vitamins, minerals, and food-based nutrients to support general health and well-being. Young Living also offers an Omega3 supplement called OmegaGize that perfectly compliments Master Formula. You can click on the supplements mentioned to view more information. You can also receive nearly 50% off all your Young Living supplements – more on that soon!
. - MultiGreens – even folks with the healthiest eating habits may still be lacking in some amazing nutrients. Consuming a multi-green supplement daily can support your body systems, including your endocrine system. I have heard amazing testimonials about Young Living’s MultiGreens keeping morning sickness at bay in pregnant women and support energy levels. Plus, we know that lots of dark, leafy greens is amazing for women who are trying to conceive. This is a great addition to your partner’s daily regimen as well! My husband and I both take this daily. I HIGHLY encourage you to click on the link to view the wonderful things included in the MultiGreens capsule, as well as the essential oils added. Remember – bioavailability!
. - Probiotics – Your gut health is most important to support. Your gut traces back to every system in your body! Probiotics improve digestion, maintain intestinal function for a healthy immune system, and yes, supports gut health! Young Living’s Life 9™ is a proprietary, high-potency probiotic that combines 17 billion live cultures from 9 beneficial bacteria strains.
. - Sulfurzyme – Sulfurzyme is a supplement exclusive to Young Living. This supplement is great for both men and women, especially after a workout! This is a supplement that I took until I started fertility medications for our IVF cycle. I, personally, would take this supplement during my time trying to conceive and would stop taking once a pregnancy is confirmed. But, OH MY! Check out Young Living’s description of this amazing supplement, which contains the Ningxia Wolfberry within the capsule! “Sulfurzyme® combines wolfberry with MSM, a naturally occurring organic form of dietary sulfur needed by our bodies every day to maintain the structure of proteins, protect cells and cell membranes, replenish the connections between cells, and preserve the molecular framework of connective tissue.* MSM also supports the immune system, the liver, circulation, and proper intestinal function and works to scavenge free radicals.* Wolfberries contain minerals and coenzymes that support the assimilation and metabolism of sulfur.” Doesn’t this sound like the perfect addition to your daily regimen! I would recommend your man, if not both you, be taking this supplement regularly!
. - Prostate Health – fertility struggles can be just as much a struggle for the man as it is the woman. A great way to support the man’s endocrine system is, well, with supplements that support him! “Young Living’s Prostate Health is uniquely formulated for men concerned with supporting the male glandular system and maintaining healthy, normal prostate function. Prostate Health is an essential oil supplement featuring powerful saw palmetto and pumpkin seed oil—ingredients known for their support of a healthy prostate gland. A proprietary blend of pure geranium, fennel, myrtle, lavender, and peppermint essential oils provides the body with key components.” Some research I have done concerning supporting a man in the fertility journey shows that supplements such as MultiGreens, Prostate Health, and PowerGize are incredible when used regularly, especially alongside essential oils Shutran and Idaho Blue Spruce. (more on these below!)
. - PowerGize – This is another supplement that belongs to Young Living. Athlete’s especially love this supplement for it’s specific formulation to boost stamina and performance.* PowerGize was formulated to sustain energy levels, strength, and vitality when used in addition to physical activity.*
In addition, this supplement is infused with Idaho Blue Spruce, Goldenrod, and Cassia, and also contains KSM-66, a premium ashwagandha root extract, which is “touted for its properties that support immunity, mental clarity, concentration, and alertness. Its custom formula helps support the male reproductive system.*”
You can learn more about these supplements by viewing the information Young Living provides on their website, as well as clicking on the pictures in the slideshow above!
Essential oils are a PHENOMENAL way to support your hormones and support fertility health through your endocrine system. Ningxia Red is infused with its own blend of essential oils, but I love adding a drop or two of Young Living’s Vitality oils to further support my health goals. You may love adding a drop of Citrus Fresh Vitality to brighten up the taste of Ningxia Red, or a drop of Endoflex Vitality for endocrine support. You may also decide to add a drop of Frankincense Vitality or Copaiba Vitality which can do amazing things to support your health goals as well!And don’t forget – you can get up to nearly 50% off your Young Living supplements and oils by signing up through me. I also gift you with an Essential Oils Reference Guide that walks you through how to use essential oils and the amazing benefits they can provide, that unfortunately I can’t talk too in-depth about online due to FDA regulations. But, you will be blown away at all that these essential oils can do for your body and for your health. Sign up here and get to know more about essential oils on our Health and Wellness page. If you click on the box that says Essential Oils 101, it will take you to an audio essential oils class where you can begin to learn more right now!
Some essential oils we love to use to support our endocrine system are Sclaressence and Progessence Plus for me, Shutran and Idaho Blue Spruce for my hubby, and Endoflex for both of us. Here are a couple books that I recommend that talk specifically about supporting your hormones and endocrine systems with essential oils, including the ones mentioned here!
Lucy Libido Says, “There’s An Oil For That” is a which talks about hormone support for men and women, and let’s be honest… trying to have a baby and plan sex around ovulation is fun at first… and then it can become a chore. Keep your hormone levels in check while keeping the the fun alive with some great essential oil recipes! You WILL NOT be disappointed in this book. It is a great companion for your Trying to Conceive journey.
Speaking of which, the creators of the Lucy Libido book also just released a book called Betsy Bosom’s Baby Book. Yes, they talk about using essential oils and overall health and wellness for mama through her pregnancy and for baby once he or she gets here, but they have an entire chapter devoted to Trimester Zero – CONCEPTION! Again, you will not be disappointed at all the knowledge you will gain for your TTC journey!
These books are easy to read, and the authors provide a sense of humor to make the book an extra easy and quick read. You will love them!
There is another book called Taming the Dragon Within by chiropractors LeAnne Deardeuff and David Deardeuff for dealing with problems associated with hormonal imbalances. They offer advice and techniques to women of all ages on how to better balance their hormones.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease.
Doing a detox can be an instrumental piece on your road to a baby. Now, I’m not talking about a crazy insane detox where you don’t eat and feel like crud for a month. That’s not good for someone trying for a baby, anyway! I’m talking about gentle detoxing solutions can will cost you mere pennies a week and are safe to implement while trying to get pregnant.
Remember us talking about essential oils? They work here, too! But don’t worry, we will be discussing other important detox tips here in a minute. You can use 100% pure, therapeutic grade essential oils in a simple detox bath 1-2 times a week to cleanse your body of impurities from things like the food we eat, to the polluted air that enters our bodies everyday.
One of the many reasons I love Young Living is because I trust their quality. Take a look at our Health and Wellness page to view Young Living’s Seed to Seal guarantee, which no other essential oil company has! One thing I do ask of you – please, please, please, please, PLEASE don’t use the essential oils you find at the store. Yes, they’re cheap – but they’re just that – CHEAP! Most of them are not therapeutic grade, so they don’t offer any actual benefits, and they have chemicals in them that you definitely don’t want to be bathing it. And while we’re on the topic of quality – Young Living is the ONLY company I trust for using oils internally. They even have a whole Essential Oil Vitality line labeled safe for ingestion. Again, you want to make sure it’s pure, therapeutic grade essential oil or you won’t get the actual therapeutic properties. Makes sense, right? You also want to make sure you are getting them from a trusted source, or you are only filling your body with more toxins, and at a rapid rate when the toxins are transferred through essential oils. Toxins + Infertility = NOT GOOD. I only use Young Living because of their Seed to Seal guarantee.
Like I was saying, you can take a simple detox bath 1-2 times a week. Just 1/2 a cup of Epsom salt (I love this brand – again, quality) and a drop or two of essential oil such as Lavender or Stress Away can provide a calm, relaxing, spa-like experience, while improving your overall health.
Lemon water is a great way to help your body detox as well. Plus, drinking water is SO good for us and so easily forgotten about. Adding some flavor is a great way to make sure you’re getting your recommended water intake daily. I love adding one drop of YL Therapeutic Grade Lemon Vitality essential oil into my ice water. Sometimes I even add a couple drops of liquid stevia for a quick, healthy lemonade fix. Just as lemon in your water can detox your body, the essential oil will do the same but with amplified benefits for your entire body. (bonus: citrus essential oils don’t carry the same citric acid properties at the actual citrus fruit. No harm done to your teeth!)
You can also begin to cleanse your body by eating wholesome foods. Again, you don’t have to starve your body and eat weird things for a week to cleanse your body. You can do it efficiently and at a steady pace, which will help to support baby should you find out your pregnant while switching up your diet. One of my favorite plans to follow is the Trim Healthy Mama plan. Check out their Facebook page to see testimonials from real people. I have seen testimonial after testimonial about how eating the right foods has helped to heal people of their infertility. Food is powerful. And the right foods can drastically change our health for the better!
What I love about their eating plan is that it’s not some fad dieting plan. If you are someone who has tried the Paleo, Whole30 or Keto plans – you will love this! And if you tried them and didn’t like them…. have no fear. I think this plan is way better anyway – especially when you need proper nutrients throughout a pregnancy as well.
I love that their plan offers a WIDE array of food options, many of which are whole food versions of foods you already enjoy – Bread. Butter. Pasta. Tacos! They have a book that explains their eating plan very well, and explains how foods impact our bodies. I learned so much about how to properly nourish my body with the right food and I learned a great deal of new information about foods that I had no idea about! You can find their eating plan book here, and they also now have TWO cookbooks to make their plan extra easy on you! In addition to this, they offer a DVD of “work-ins” that you can follow to help your weight loss plan, or just to help tone your body, without needing to overexert your body with high intensity workouts.
Another little known way to detox your body is by detoxing your home. That’s right… detox your home!
Take a look at the products you are using. What’s in your makeup? What’s in your shampoo, your face wash, your toothpaste, your household cleaners and your candles? Most everything you find commercially at your local grocery store is just filled with JUNK. They are filled with toxins, MOST of which negatively impact your hormone health. Things you put on your body, in your body, and near your body could possibly be endocrine disruptors, impacting your hormones just enough to ward off pregnancy. Furthermore, the items you are storing your food in or cooking with can have toxins with hormone disruptors as well. Try switching to BPA free items, glassware, stainless steel, and avoid metals such has aluminum, and items like Styrofoam and your typical plastic dishware. Here are some toxins you can look for in your household and skincare products:
So what should you use instead? Use plant-based, wholesome, bioavailable products instead! You can find replacements for all of these products through Young Living. At the bottom of our Health and Wellness page, you will see all that Young Living has to offer. You can literally replace all your skin care products, supplements, and other household products with safe to use Young Living products.One of my favorites is the Thieves Household Cleaner. This ONE cleaner can replace all your others! I clean my kitchen, my dishes, my bathroom, my makeup brushes, baby toys, and so much more with this one cleaner. It may seem expensive at first, but consider this: ONE 14.4oz bottle of Thieves Household Cleaner concentrate (Yep, it’s a concentrate!) will make more than 30 bottles of cleaner at 32oz per bottle. That’s less than $1 per bottle of cleaner and MUCH more affordable than even your “green” cleaners at the store. Plus, you don’t have to buy multiple kinds of cleaners. On top of that, it’s infused with essential oils! I know, you saw that coming. You can find a wealth of information on the Thieves Household Cleaner here:
Most of the essential oils we discuss are found in the amazing Premium Starter Kit, which comes with a beautiful diffuser, plus samples of the Thieves Household Cleaner and Ningxia Red super-food drink, for nearly 50% off. This also gives you a one-year membership to receive 24% off future orders. This, along with the Essential Rewards autoship program, is a great way to then purchase supplements, makeup, shampoo, household cleaner and anything else you need at an EVEN GREATER discount and get them shipped right to your door every month. Take your monthly budget for your everyday items and use them in your Young Living health and wellness store instead. Email me at godsizejourney@gmail.com for more information! Learn more about essential oils here. What I especially love about essential oils is that the uses for them mentioned in this post are just barely skimming the surface. There are a plethora of great uses for essential oils for your body and for use around the house. This Premium Starter Kit provides what you need to get started and is, in my opinion, invaluable.
You’ve done it! You made it to the end of this post! The last and final topic we will be discussing to prepare for conception is to DE-STRESS!
Infertility and de-stress sounds much like an oxymoron. It can be nearly impossible to relax during the stressful infertility process, especially if you have been trying for a great deal of time and if you begin fertility treatments.
What should you do? Exercise and get your body moving! Even if to you that means taking a half hour walk every day or every other day. Going to the extreme so quickly can be hard on your body, so be sure not to overdo it. The goal is to make sure you get moving and get your blood flowing throughout our body well. Exercise has also been shown to help you de-stress! Plus, if you start working out now, you will be able to continue working out throughout your pregnancy, keep stress levels low, blood flowing, and your body strong for both pregnancy and delivery! Thinking about getting a Premium Starter Kit mentioned throughout this post? There are two more great oils in that kit you can use in your fertility journey! Keep your energy up while working out, and keep terrible odors away, by diffusing Citrus Fresh during your workout. Just getting started with a workout routine? Or perhaps your upping your game? Soothe tired muscles with Panaway which is also included in your starter kit.
What helps you relieve stress? Try your best to do more of that! Take time to enjoy more of your favorite hobby. Collect a few more books to read before bed. Binge-watch a new TV show.
Stress Away smells heavenly and will be an excellent addition to your favorite de-stressing activity. Believe me, I know it can be hard. We are going through our IVF cycle with a three year who we adopted and has had a 10 month stretch of the worst behavior fits and tantrums imaginable, and we are fostering a 15 month old who is learning to be independent, getting into everything, and whose case is an emotional nightmare at the moment. It’s not ideal and boy would this have been easier before kids (don’t most people go through IVF without kids?)
The most important thing you can do during your trying to conceive journey is to support your mental health! This road can be trying, exhausting, emotional, and seemingly endless. Keep your mental health at the top of your priority list!
Creating an environment of positivity is powerful for your journey. If you’re a believer, pray. Seek guidance during this trying time. Spend time in the Word. Meditate. Relax. Think positive things. Believe your body can bring a child into this world.
Want a fun way to document your infertility journey? Check out our Infertility Journey Milestone cards you can print and use as photo props on your blog or to share your journey with friends and family on social media, or you can even print these and journal on the back for a special keepsake of all the special moments in your journey!
** DISCLAIMER** I have to say that I am not a medical professional! The information and products shared in this post are not intended to treat, cure, diagnose, or prevent any disease, nor is it meant to replace professional medical attention or advice. All information applies to Young Living brand of oils specifically. Use and application of this information is done solely at your own risk.
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