Whether you have just started your fertility journey or already have been trying for a while, Ayurveda can offer a lot of support in creating optimal, natural fertility and helping you to conceive and maintain a healthy pregnancy. According to Ayurveda, every couple should take three to twelve months to prepare their bodies before conception to ensure optimal nourishment of the reproductive tissue. The nutrients have to pass through the six other tissues before reaching their final destination, shukra, the reproductive tissue. If this process is hampered by low nutrient absorption, blockages or other imbalances we can be faced with fertility problems. In addition to that, Ayurveda believes that the child’s constitution is set at the time of conception (same as our genes). Therefore, traditionally, every couple would undergo a panchakarma cleanse to eliminate ama (undigested food and toxins) and address doshic imbalances. By finding balance before conception we ensure we only pass our most balanced and healthy traits onto our children. 

When faced with fertility problems Ayurveda takes a holistic, multifaceted approach best explained by a farming analogy. If you want a good crop, certain parameters must be met: strong seeds, good soil, a healthy environment, nutrient and water supply for the plant’s growth. 

The seed represents the ovum and the sperm. When we are gardening, we try to only plant the best quality seeds. The same is true for our ‘seeds’. The more balanced and healthy the parents, the stronger and healthier their offspring will be. To ensure optimal egg and sperm quality, Ayurveda works with both parents-to-be, utilising Ayurvedic herbs and individual dietary recommendations, as well as the recommended panchakarma cleanse.

The endometrium is responsible for nourishing the zygote after implantation. With massage, yoga poses and an Ayurvedic herbal protocol, we can increase circulation and strengthen the uterus before conception or IVF implantation. After implantation or conception, Ayurveda recommends discontinuing these practices to not interfere with the delicate process of establishing a new life. 

When looking at our physical environment, we have to look both inside our bodies and at what is around us. 

Internally, we need to make sure our bodies are not overly acidic, the vaginal PH in particular is an important factor, to ensure the survival of the sperm. With a specific preconception diet and certain Ayurvedic herbs, you can balance the acidity in your body and make sure your body is ready to receive the seeds for the next generation. 

External toxins, like pesticides or endocrine disruptors also can play a role in your and your partners fertility journey. Check your cosmetics and cleaning products for ingredients that interfere with our hormone production like BPA, Dioxine, or Phthalates, and try to buy organic whenever possible.

Also consider your stress levels. Stress is one of the deciding factors when couples struggle to conceive. With a combination of meditation, breathing exercises, calming Ayurvedic treatments and herbal support, we can support you in letting go of the tension and stress you have accumulated. 

Teaching our clients how to digest their food, thoughts, and emotions is an integral part of our practice. This is especially true for fertility.  

Micronutrients play a significant role in hormonal balance and fertility. Our body can only utilise what we can digest and absorb. Often we overwhelm our bodies with too many supplements. If our digestive tract cannot break them down and absorb them, unfortunately they will just come out at the other end. We, therefore, recommend strengthening our Agni (digestive fire) to ensure optimal micronutrient absorption and limiting vitamin and mineral supplements to a select few. Think of ways you can get the nutrients you need from nutrient-dense, real foods. 

Taking your time to reflect and digest the events of the day, can help in better understanding your emotions and identifying negative thinking patterns. According to Ayurveda, the heart is the seat of our emotions. Women, however, have a second seat for their emotions: the uterus. This ancient concept underlines the close link of our physical and emotional wellbeing. It also highlights the emotional work we might have to do before we become a mother. Learning to understand yourself, your unique tendencies, and your metabolism can tremendously support you in this journey and beyond.