We are blessed with the gift of fertility and even if your not ready for little ones running around, getting to know your body and cycle is very important to tune into your feminine wisdom.

Stages of your cycle:

Follicular Phase:  During this phase, the hormone estrogen causes the lining of the uterus to grow, or proliferate. This lining, called the endometrium starts to develop to receive a fertilized egg should you become pregnant. The increase of another hormone, called the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), in turn stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles. Each follicle contains an egg. By late in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, only a single follicle will remain active.

The lining of your uterus begins to thicken in response to this increase in estrogen. Estrogen levels rise dramatically during the days before ovulation and peak about one day before ovulation. The surge in estrogen triggers a spike in yet another hormone – the luteinizing hormone, or LH. Ovulation occurs as this increase in LH causes the follicle to rupture and release an egg.

Ovulation Phase:  Ovulation is what happens when a mature egg (ovum) is released from your ovarian follicle to the nearest fallopian tube during your menstrual cycle. Sometimes two of these eggs can mature in a month.

The increase in LH triggers ovulation. The egg then travels into the uterus. If you have regular 28-day menstrual cycles, ovulation usually occurs on day 14. However, most women have different menstrual cycle lengths. In general, ovulation occurs 11 to 16 days before your upcoming period.

Ovulation occurs when one of the ovaries releases a mature egg. The egg travels out of the ovary, into the nearest fallopian tube and into your uterus. As the egg moves down the fallopian tube over several days, the lining of the uterus continues to grow thicker and thicker.

It takes about three to four days for the egg to travel toward the uterus. If fertilization is to occur, it must happen within 24 hours of ovulation or the egg degenerates.

It takes about three to four days for the egg to travel toward the uterus. If fertilization is to occur, it must happen within 24 hours of ovulation or the egg degenerates. After ovulation, the luteal phase begins.

Luteal Phase: After ovulation, the follicle becomes a hormone-producing structure called the corpus luteum. The cells of the corpus luteum produce estrogen and large amounts of progesterone, with the latter hormone stimulating the uterine lining development in preparation for implantation of a fertilized egg. If you don’t become pregnant, the corpus luteum degenerates about two weeks after ovulation. Because of this, progesterone levels drop and the stimulation for the lining is lost. This causes the lining to shed as a new menstrual cycle starts.

The loss of the corpus luteum can be prevented by fertilization of the egg. If you become pregnant during your period, fertilization will occur within 24 hours of ovulation. About five days after fertilization, the fertilized egg enters your uterus and becomes embedded in the lining. With implantation, cells that will eventually become the placenta begin to produce the “pregnancy hormone” or human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). It interrupts your menstrual cycle by providing continual stimulation of the corpus luteum to produce progesterone. This prevents the loss of your lining.

During this phase of the menstrual cycle, if you become pregnant, the egg moves into your uterus and attaches to the lining. If you are not pregnant, the lining of the uterus is shed through the vaginal opening. Then, a new menstrual cycle begins. (Source)

What are some natural treatments to promote fertility?

Asparagus racemosa (Shatavari)

• Female reproductive tonic, Ayurvedic aphrodesiac

• Supports healthy mucus

Vitex

• Balances hormones through follicular and luteal phase

• Nourishes corpus luteum, boots progesterone

• Can decrease elevated prolactin

False Unicorn Root

• Fallopian tube and ovarian tonic

• Improves mucous production

Adrenal Support with such herbs including Rehmannia, Glycyrrhiza, Rhodiola, and Withania.

Food & Lifestyle

• Organic whole foods especially for meats and dairy

• No alcohol, cigarettes, or caffeine

• Healthy proteins and fats

• Purified water

• Limited processed foods

• Eliminate exposures to environmental chemicals, heavy metals, and use natural cleaning products

.... and a great prenatal multi vitamin with folate.