For anyone who has just started their ‘trying to conceive’ (TTC) journey it can be a time full of excitement and hopes for the future. It also brings with it feelings of apprehension, impatience and can become an all consuming obsession which will have an impact on ovulation and the functionality of our reproductive system.
Being constantly preoccupied with conceiving, trawling the internet for symptoms of pregnancy, losing hours reading TTC blogs and allowing sex with one’s partner to become rigid and scheduled rather than a joy will take its toll. We all know to have a healthy body and a mind free from stress will create the most favourable conception conditions although this is not always easy to achieve.
There is a multitude of tips and advice on offer which can sometimes be confusing, or advocate sensible albeit impractical upheavals such as taking time off work which may not be financially possible for many women.
I will share how yoga can help prepare you physically and emotionally for the path to parenthood as well as boost your chances of conception. This will cover everything from postures and meditation to nutrition, and even how to chart the lunar cycles to establish fertile days if you suffer from irregular periods or have just stopped using the contraceptive pill.
So how can the practice of yoga boost your chances of conception?
In a nutshell:
1. Shifting focus
While trying to conceive your mind will be preoccupied often leading to negative repercussions both at work and at home.
When practising yoga, you consciously focus on every breath you take whether moving from posture to posture or during meditation.
This form of mindfulness helps keep you from thinking what you should or shouldn’t be doing, or why things are not happening when you want them to. This feeling will last long after you step off the mat
2. Reducing stress
One of the most pervasive fertility challenges is well known to be stress. For both partners the wait or inability to conceive, on top of the everyday stresses we encounter, will only heighten emotions that generate chemicals such as adrenalin or cortisol. These weaken immunity and the reproductive function and make for a far less ‘hospitable’ environment for effective conception.
Relaxation is vital for soothing the nervous system to counteract these chemicals and to create emotional and mental calm. Yoga, with its use of relaxation breathing practices (pranayama), cooling restorative poses, and flushing out of physical toxins, counteracts the impact of stress, anger or depression that can happen during this time.
Meditation is also a vital tool to aid mind/body relaxation especially with couples going through fertility treatment or taking longer than expected.
It is important to get a good night’s sleep in order to combat stress. Yoga can reduce insomnia through calming night-time stretching, moon salutations (the more restful version of the powerful sun salutation) and deep breathing.
3. Regain a sense of control
“One of the wonderful benefits of yoga is it teaches you to respect your journey,” says Brenda Strong (of Desperate Housewives fame but who also is a Yoga Instructor specialising in fertility).
We are guilty of wanting things to happen right now. For many women who are used to logically following steps to achieve what they want, such as their careers, suddenly finding there is something you desperately want, but that you have no control over can impact your fertility journey at a deep psychological level. As an organised overachiever myself it is frustrating that I can’t plan exactly when I get pregnant. The self criticism and doubt that can result will only weigh you down and impact your relationship with your partner.
Yoga provides guidance for controlling negative thoughts and many a yogi will attest that the more they practiced, the less they allowed obsessive worries to have control on their lives. A strong yoga practice can help women and couples feel more empowered on their journey toward conception.
4. Improved physical health
To be in the best shape possible is going to be preferable when trying to conceive. Yoga is a recognised gentle exercise that is widely recommended. Certain yoga postures are known to direct energy and blood flow to the uterus and surrounding reproductive organs. Any yoga pose that opens the hip, groin or lower body will be beneficial.
Yoga also improves spinal alignment, tones and strengthens muscles, detoxifies and improves the quality of respiration. Furthermore for any woman taking infertility drugs the breathing exercises can help the body reverse the toxic effect of these drugs.
Next time: How yoga can help you achieve the right mindset to start your trying to conceive journey.
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