TTC #2

[olivia]

Anyone else trying to conceive? I'm working on baby #2, but we've been trying about 18 months already (not every month). We're finally starting look at infertility treatments. I have Hashimoto's. Hoping AIP helps with the Hashi's and the infertility. I've been strict AIP for over 2 months now.

[GinaD]

Hi there! 
My husband and I are just starting to think about #2 ourselves, so I think this topic will be on my mind a lot in the near future too!
I have two family members who have had many challenges with conceiving also.  One of them now has a 3 year old, and a set of 9 month old twins!  The other, has still not conceived after 4 years.  I have been researching the topic with her lately to get ideas; she had in the past had some treatments to make the chances better (she has endometriosis), but with no success--yet.  I am looking for anything related to fertility nutrition, and am finding some interesting stuff.
What have you tried or found information about so far?

[dawnhbrewer]

Hi Olivia and Gina,

Infertility is so tough. I went through four years of it and was finally blessed with a baby girl after going to Emory for help. When my menstrual cycle finally started again, I was mentally preparing myself for more treatments at Emory. Well, I didn't need any help and was pregnant within three months. We weren't even really trying yet. I had changed my diet and was not eating any gluten or dairy. I have no scientific evidence, but I truly believe that my diet changes made all the difference. I read something similar in Wheat Belly.

Keep up the changes you're making in your diet - it will make all the difference (and is way better that hormone shots:).

Best wishes!!!!
Dawn

[TamarE]

I don't have anything specific to say, but hugs! I experienced infertility (recurrent pregnancy loss) between my second and third children. In the end, I took Lovenox injections due to a blood clotting issue. This was over four years ago and to be honest I was not eating anywhere near Paleo at the time. A great infertility blog is lifeandloveinthepetridish.blogspot.com/ The couple (Mo and Will) have been through it all! And they have a baby girl now. I believe she may (not sure though) eaten gluten free for her pregnancy. I don't remember. But their blog is a great resource.

I encourage you to find a wonderful RE (reproductive endocrinologist) in your area to run all the necessary tests, etc.

Also, Pre-Seed (has nothing to do with nutrition, but I believe it's a good product)

[helenjb]

Both myself and my husband have fertility issues and we have had one child thru fertility injections worked first time then got pregnant with the next after i finished breast feeding him but we have been unsuccessful after for about 5 years. i think i always thought it was my hashis/age was the issue but then the female side there is a lot of assistance for i have not really found anything to help my hubby.i changed my thyroid med's as i learned Armour type drugs helped with ovulation issue.

[adrienne7]

We are currently trying for baby #2. We got pregnant very quickly the first time so we're hopeful it won't take long. Every month feels like agony! Looking forward to dietary/wellness tips.

[Cassie]

We have been ttc #2 since oct 11... We practice nfp and are aware of my hubbies low count/low t. Suggestions for natural remedies to deal with that would be great. I also have irregular cycles due to my low weight and overall health. At this point, we are truly accepting of that fact we may just not be meant to have more than one child. So thankful for my six year old miracle!

[darcie]

I had primary and secondary infertility as well as miscarriages. I had postpartum thyroiditis after the birth of #2, and now believe I had undiagnosed Hashi's the whole time I was going through infertility. I did get my TSH checked at the time, but don't think anyone looked at antibodies.

I was able to get pg 5 times using Clomid. Many women use it because it is cheap and easy, but I think it only works well in the right conditions. From a Chinese medicine perspective, I believe it heats up your system, which works if you are "cold", i.e. hypothyroid. If you are already "hot", it is like adding fuel to the fire.

My kids are now 8 and 4 and I tried paleo/AIP for the first time just over a year ago. I was having a lot of issues with my cycles too and thought it was premature premenopause. It took some time but everything is now very well balanced and my cycles are more regular than they ever have been before.

A great resource I used at the time was www.ovusoft.com, not sure if it is still around, but we had a group for those seeking natural remedies.

One natural remedy that is working really well for me right now is supplementing according to the phases of the moon. I take fermented cod liver oil from new moon to full moon, and evening primrose oil from full moon to new moon. When I remember to take them, I can actually get my cycle to match this schedule (period around new moon and ovulation around full moon). Sorry, I don't have a link right now but you can google it. It is pretty amazing!

Best wishes to everyone, I hope you find something that works for you!

[darcie]

Oops, forgot to also mention that Chris Kresser has a resource called The Healthy Baby Code that has specific fertility enhancing diet etc. suggestions. It isn't free though. my.chriskresser.com/program/healthy-baby-code/

[jenine]

We had secondary infertility
I had my first daughter in 2009 and had a terrible pregnancy and traumatic delivery. It was postpartum that my AI symptoms really took surface. I believe that was my trigger for my AI thyroid.
We started ttc when she was a year old and I got pregnant after 3 months of trying but miscarried.
It then took us another year and I finally got pregnant but had a second miscarriage.
I was undiagnosed at the time.
My body plummeted after my second m /c and I finally got properly diagnosed 7 months later (lots of misdiagnoses in between)...
Started strict AIP may. 2012. Had a fabulously healthy summer and conceived in August.
Stayed AIP throughout my pregnancy and had an amazingly healthy pregnancy and a fantastic natural delivery at 41w2d.
I believe my inflammation had a big part of my inability to conceive and maintain pregnancies. I was also followed by a reproductive endocrinologist and he kept an eye in my bloodwork.

[darcie]

Thought of something else! I found acupuncture very helpful for reducing stress during the TTC process. There is evidence showing that it increases success rates in fertility treatments.

[GinaD]

Apr 12, 2014 11:06:03 GMT -5 darcie said:

Oops, forgot to also mention that Chris Kresser has a resource called The Healthy Baby Code that has specific fertility enhancing diet etc. suggestions. It isn't free though. my.chriskresser.com/program/healthy-baby-code/

Darcie I was going to mention this too; Chris Kresser has a lot of good input, as I believe his wife went through infertility also. Specifically, I recall his mentioning how important it is to eat a lot of fat (after all, breastmilk is 55% fat, and is the perfect human food).
There is also a book called Beautiful Babies by Kristen Michaelis that I just gave to my sister in law, which focuses in a large part about fertility.

[Tricia]

Keep going with the diet, I was on AI Paleo for about a year and got pregnant last july (my hormone ratio suggested this was not possible in dec 2011); for whatever reason my hormones were "reset" and about 3 weeks ago delivered a baby boy ...check out Primal Mom book, good stuff in there and also I like nourishing traditions, I do not eat raw cheese or milk or eggs, but the background info is really good. Keep us posted!!

[olivia]

Thanks everyone for responding. Sorry it took me forever to get back here. I've been doing AIP. I've tried acupuncture/chinese herbs and lots of other supplements (Vitex, maca). We use Pre-Seed. I've been tracking my cycle (FAM) for almost 15 years now. We got pregnant on the first try with my son. I had already been diagnosed with Hashimoto's at the time. I had an easy pregnancy and delivery, but still had postpartum thyroiditis, and I haven't been able to get my thyroid normal since then. That was 3 years ago. I have an appointment with an RE soon.