THROUGH HER LENS, IS A COLLECTION OF LIFE EXPERIENCES FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE MASTERS PRACTITIONER, TRAINED YOGI AND TRUSTER OF NATURE

During the time that a couple is actively trying to conceive, there is roughly a two week wait between ovulation and a pregnancy test. This time is known to be anxiety filled, stressful and frustrating. In TCM we know how important it is to be calm, soft and relaxed.

To be in a relaxed state ensures that the egg and sperm, now an embryo, can gently be moved back down the fallopian tube by hair like cells, known as cilia. Cilia is hair like in its size and appearance but muscular in its action. These cilia, are essential in pushing the embryo into the uterus in order to have the chance to implant and begin the journey of growing into a baby.

Consider for a moment how your body responds to stress or anxiety. Instantly when you start to feel the initial discomfort your body starts to tighten, your breath becomes short and shallow, and your senses are heightened and wary. This sort of impact is not only going to slow the movements of the cilia but possibly constrict the fallopian tubes and the uterus itself.

Our bodies are marvellous things, they are capable of enduring incredible feats and making crucial decisions without any help from us. Consider breathing for example. During these 2 weeks the body is deciding whether there will be life or not. This is no task that should be taken lightly. A future generation lies on this decision. If there is great stresses in the environment the body would do well not to allow the opportunity for life to form.

In a TCM treatment during this period, we work to maintain a gentle flow of energy (qi) that keeps the whole mental, emotional and physical body in balance. It is, as always important to focus on trusting the work that you have done to prepare yourself for conception. As well as releasing expectations of anything that increases stress. An obvious dilemma, however one that will continue to serve you as a whole.

What can you do to help yourself soften during this period?

Other than ensuring adequate sleep, food and connected time. Connected time being time spent feeling loved and connected to loved ones; including your partner, your friends or even your pet. Other options include;

Acupuncture: This treatment can offer space to feel calm and rested, as the qi is aligned to support relaxation and balance.
Breath work: When thoughts and ideas create stress within your being, catch yourself and offer a ‘breather’. Take a deep breath in for the count of 4, hold the breath at the top for a moment or two, then release the breath until every last drop of air has been removed from your lungs. Repeat. Then repeat again, over and over, even incorporate a mantra of words during the hold like, ‘Trust the process’, ‘I accept the result’, ‘I am open’.
Yoga: Movement with breath. Incorporating some yoga poses in the morning or evening with the mantra you created above can have profound impacts on the overall homeostasis of the body. An example of this would be to create a flow moving from child’s pose to cow pose on the inhale; to downward dog on the exhale; to cow pose on the inhale; through cat pose to child’s pose on the exhale. Repeat 5-10 times. Repeat whenever needed and available.
Meditation: The next step from breath work. Meditation is the idea of creating a meditative state, one that comes more easily the more often you practice. I recommend starting with a guided meditation a wonderful option is Sarah Blondin, she has many great short and wonderful options that may serve you more directly or utilise the Headspace app, or potentially even starting on the 21 days of abundance journey with Deepak Chopra.
Magnesium: Adding topical magnesium to the soles of your feet, lower back and belly before bed at night also helps to increase the re-uptake of magnesium lost during these heightened days. Magnesium is leached from the cells during times of heightened stress, and we should already be well aware that living in modern society pays dividends on our overall stress levels. There are some wonderful topical magnesium products available.

Although this time seems stressful and is full of uncertainty, it is amazing how simple techniques such as those above have exponential potential to make you feel supported and relaxed.