Help with getting pregnant?

[The Jenilynn Rush]

Hi everyone!
I have a gal coming on Sunday that's been trying to get prenant for almost a year now. Her doctor suggested massage therapy since it would help relax her. Any additinal suggestions via aromatherapy, accupressue or...?
I think they've already tried prayer.
Please share with me what ya know.
Thanks!

 

[afosa_ragazza]

From a CranioSacral perspective, it is important to check in with the sphenoid; Since the pituitary gland sits in the Sella turcica of the sphenoid covered by membrane. We believe that proper pituitary function is supported by the gentle rocking of the sphenoid. Almost as if the sphenoid were 'milking' the pituitary with each roll forward and back.

Releasing any restriction in the sphenobasilar joint (as well as checking other areas of the body) can help to ensure proper hormone levels to help support reproduction.

 

[T. Le]

Is there a hormonal imbalance component to the fertility issues? PCOS has often been helped/relieved with clary sage essential oils but she'd want to have a negative pregnancy test first since, if I remember correctly, it is contraindicated during first trimester or during all of pregnancy.

Acupressure points directly related to the reproductive organ include many of the "off limit" points around the leg and ankles that we're taught to avoid during pregnancy or to stimulate to quicken a hesitant labor. These may be very beneficial to work so if you are familiar with acupressure at all check the flow at these points and all the the major points - crown, sacrum, etc.

Also - is she seeing a chiropractor at all? As Brian pointed out imbalance anywhere in the body can have unforeseen effects and I know more than one woman who concieved after months of trying once she began regular chiropractic care.

I think the only other thing I would say is just to remind you that you are not responsible for any outcome. Don't forget to release yourself of responsibility for what happens and just do what you do. As with all our clients, any changes a body makes for the better is something we just help facilitate - not CAUSE. *grin*

(((HUGS)))

Angela

 

[Your Uncle Dodge!]

Was also just thinking that it could be an underlying emotional issue that needs to be worked with before her body is actually ready.

Just a thought ...

 

[CannedUs]

Thanks for the responses. I don't feel responsible for the outcome at all, but i do feel honored to be a part of it....even if it simply means she gets a good night sleep from being so relaxed.
I was just looking to see if anyone had any pearls of wisdom that might be something for them to look into further. I'm happy to help but I also know when to refer them some place with more knowledge than me. I planned on talking to her but didn't really have much information on holistic methods of facilitating pregnancy. I can't say it's ever come up before in my practice. Lots of info out there about pregnancy massage though.
Karen

 

[MissTee]

Was also just thinking that it could be an underlying emotional issue that needs to be worked with before her body is actually ready.

I gotta say, this is one of the LAST things I would say to a woman struggling with infertility.

 

[Zarquon The Great]

Thanks for the responses. I don't feel responsible for the outcome at all, but i do feel honored to be a part of it....even if it simply means she gets a good night sleep from being so relaxed.
Karen

Exactly! It took me FAR too long to get to that point in my own personal practice.

Love your signature quote by the way.

Angela

 

[marshell]

Angenglad:
Thanks, I had a teacher that used to put quotes in our homework boxes before class and this was one of them. I found her email last week to have her let me know who said it but haven't received a response. I know she said it came from an article in one of the massage magazines. I'll post it when I hear from her.

I've always been pretty good about not taking on too much from the client. Sometimes it's hard but I've (try anyway) to accept the fact that they have to find their own way. I have two grown sons that are on their own so I needed to learn the concept of (trying) to let it go, doing what I can what I can, and stepping back to let them help themselves and grow.

I thought about the problem being hormonal and/or PCOS and was going to research diet on that topic. Might be something to talk to her doctor about.
I'll suggest chiro since I agree that imbalance in the body is going to affect some other place in the body...somehow...some way...some place.
CranioSacral? I've not had any major formal training, and it's nothing I've really dabbled in, so will suggest a referral. We have a lady in town that specializes in that and I've heard WONDERFUL things.

Aromatherapy and Accupressure are also on my hit list to research futher....

I'm hoping to give her some new information, options and ideas.

 

[richard m]

Hi,

From a myofascial perspective, fascia surrounds every nerve, vessel, tube, organ, etc, in our bodies...including the pelvic floor. Myofascial tightness and restrictions in these areas can affect proper function.

I have had three people who had been trying to get pregnant - unsuccessfully - but came in for Myofascial Release for other issues.
While treating the whole body, (pelvic restritions and imbalances are quite common in most of us) freeing the adhesions in the pelvic region and the sphenoid regions, may have helped open up their tissues and enhanced their reproductive function.

good luck!

 

[imogen]

I would second Barbara's comments. I've helped a few women with infertility issues in the past. Pelvic floor MFR can be very helpful in releasing the structural restrictions that may be hindering the process. Check out the research on http://www.clearpassage.com. These two therapists have made a specialty practice of using MFR and related modalities in women's health issues, including infertility. They have published 4 or 5 research articles reporting positive findings with this work. Emotional issues can play a role and should never be overlooked, as underlying structural issues nearly always have an emotional componant (as do any physical problem).

 

[a Dreamer]

I love how everyone has different pockets of knowledge they draw from. t049
I'll check out the myofascial website and do some research. Thank you.

 

[Babak Kratosbbm]

I tried for over a year to get pregnant, then because of financial/job reasons we decided to put it off till my husband got settled into the job he was just offered. One week into his two week notice, my test came back positive LOL.

Whether it's one particular method or another, hopefully the support, additional relaxation and sense of well being will help her and her body come to a place where they're ready.





























BTW - after that long wait for the first pregnancy, I think I probably ovulated every time there was a male in the room... needless to say, numbers 2 and 3 came along in short term LOL.

 

[to be continued ...]

I know two acupuncturists who work with fertility issues. Both have very good results. One acupuncturist is used in conjunction with the MD who does the invitro work.

I can suggest acupuncture.

Here's a friends' website which should have some info on acupuncture, infertility & feminine issues. (If it's down, refresh, as my hubby is adding a few pages for her).

 

[Dr M. Riad]

Was also just thinking that it could be an underlying emotional issue that needs to be worked with before her body is actually ready.

I gotta say, this is one of the LAST things I would say to a woman struggling with infertility.

As someone who went through YEARS of infertilty treatments(unsuccessfully), PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't say anything to her that might even hint that the problem is her emotions. For one thing....depending on whether or not she's artificially pumped up on hormones at the time, she'll either be emotionally devasted or pissed off beyond belief.

Just be there for her.

While there have been good recommendations in this thread (MFR, acupuncture, chiro, CST) if you're not trained in those modalities you can only recommend that she think about trying them.

Again....just be there for her.

She may need to take a break from even talking about fertility and pregnancy. She may need to vent and talk about it. Follow her lead.

There are many causes for infertility. Unless you know which problem or problems she is having, then you're just taking a stab in the dark.

Also, please be aware that couples going through infertility tend to start off the process by grasping at any straws that are handed to them and then after the years go by they become very jaded and are wary of anyone making them promises. I lost track at how many times I got excited over a new treatment or nutritional supplement or whatever that made all kinds of promises....only to be disappointed time and again.

Just be there for her.

Unless you're already trained in a modality that is designed to help with infertility the best thing you can do is offer her an escape from her stress.

And don't even think about telling her that she's trying too hard. I got so that I wanted to punch everyone in the face who said that to me. Trust me...someone has already told her that one.

Just be there for her.

Angie

 

[jwthoughts]

Amen Angie.

 

[Animefreak20]

I agree 100% Moogie.

 

[Jeremiah]

Was also just thinking that it could be an underlying emotional issue that needs to be worked with before her body is actually ready.

I gotta say, this is one of the LAST things I would say to a woman struggling with infertility.

I NEVER meant to imply that I would say this to a client trying to get pregnant. But naturally, with my training in CranioSacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release I would be ready (not looking) for emotional issues to present themselves. By truly listening to the client's body, ANYTHING can come up and I made that comment as a 'just be ready' statement.

I do agree that there can be many different reasons for infertility and I think you need to be ready for all of them if they come up.

Hope that clarifies a bit ...

 

[Kitten<3]

If you have a local reflexologist that specializes or works with women's health, specifically fertility and pregnancy, that would be a good referral to consider too.

Not sure if you even have local reflexologists? I'd start with the American Reflexology Certification Board's referral directory since we know that they've at least met the national education guidelines to practice reflexology.

 

[?KayT?]

Mayan Abdominal Massage--The Arvigo Method has been useful for many women trying to conceive.
http://arvigomassage.com/

 

[pnkyz_brain]

Help with getting pregnant?

Her doctor suggested massage therapy since it would help relax her.

I think it is important to remember the reason she is coming to see you.

If she asks for suggestions on alternative therapies that may help her, then it's fine to offer tips and/or referrals.

But, if she is wanting to relax you may want to consider that offering advice may make her uncomfortable, unrelaxed and stressed.

Wait and see....follow her lead.

Angie