Herbs for Fertility

An interesting thing started to happened when I got my period back at 19 months post partum.  The desire to have baby number 2, started slowly creeping in.  I have always wanted more than one child, but I had such a difficult babyhood with Penelope that I wasn't sure I could go through it all over again.


Quite honestly, I am still not sure I can, but I feel the call from the soul of our second baby.  And no matter how scared I am to do this all over again, I can't deny her.  Yes, I am already certain she will be a girl.


As I mentioned here, one of the ways I am answering The Call to grow my family, is to restore myself.  Mothering takes everything of you, and as I start this journey all over again, I want to deeply and firmly be in a place where I have plenty of reserves to give.


Another way I am getting ready is by using herbs to get my menstrual cycle regular and as fertile as possible.  I am in no rush, we want to go the "see what happens" route.  If I get pregnant this cycle, awesome.  If it takes 5 years, awesome.   I am trying to act consciously and purposeful as possible, as I move my body towards fertility and away from milk production.


I am drinking yogi teas such as Woman's Raspberry Leaf and Woman's Moon Cycle.


One of the very first books I read after I became a Certified Massage Doula (exact same thing as a Certified Doula, except we are all also LMT's), was Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year.   A friend of mine wanted to borrow it recently, and of course I found myself speed reading it all over again.  It is a classic, and I think one of the must have books if you are of childbearing age and are into natural/alternative wellness.


Per Wise Woman Herbal:


Herbs used to encourage pregnancy are characterized by their ability to 1) nourish and tonify the uterus, 2) nourish the entire body, 3) relax the nervous system 4) establish and balance normal functional of the hormonal system, and 5) balance sexual desire.


Herbs for Fertility:

• Red Clover Flowers
• Nettle Leaves
• Red Raspberry Leaves
• Dong Quai Root
• False Unicorn Root

The Yogi Tea Woman's Moon Cycle has Dong Quai and Red Raspberry leaves in it.   I also buy herbs in bulk and make blends myself.  If you don't have a local co-op, where you can get bulk herbs you can order some here.

This is a great website with more information about herbs for fertility.  

Is anyone else out there trying to conceive?  What are you doing to boost your fertility?

Our Lady of La Leche

 

Our Lady of La Leche is an amazing little Catholic shrine in St. Augustine, Florida.  I first heard about this place from a dear friend of mine.  She brought me back a necklace and prayer card from her visit.  For a long time I wore the necklace and prayed hard for my sweet Penelope to come to me.

On Mother's Day in 2008, I visited the shrine with Peter.  We both went in and lit candles and prayed, well I prayed and Peter respectfully sat next to me.  I prayed for a healthy baby to come to me.

This is the first shrine dedicated to the Blessed Mother in the United States.  Like me, pilgrims who make their way to this shrine, ask for blessing in motherhood and for healthy children.

The statue at the front, is of Mother Mary nursing baby Jesus, and it is just stunning.

Here is the prayer to Our Lady of La Leche if anyone is interested:

Lovely Lady of La Leche, most loving mother of the Child Jesus, and my mother, listen to my humble prayer. Your motherly heart knows my every wish, my every need. To you only, His spotless Virgin Mother, has your Divine Son given to understand the sentiments which fill my soul. Yours was the sacred privilege of being the Mother of the Savior. Intercede with him now, my loving Mother, that, in accordance with His will, I may become the mother of other children of our heavenly Father. This I ask, O Lady of La Leche, in the Name of your Divine Son, My Lord and Redeemer. Amen.