Cm Info for the old & the newbies :)
I found this about how to increase cm. I read that pineapple juice can cause m/c. I drank a lot of it this cycle, but I have now stopped just in case. Anyway, here is the article.....
"Evening Primrose Oil (EPO)
Usage: EPO is used in TTC to increase cervical mucus. It also lowers cholesterol, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. The active ingredient is cis-linoleic and cis-gammalinolenic acid (GLA). It may take up to three months to see results.
Recommended Dosage: Follow the instructions on the bottle, or try 1,000 mg per day. Some recommend taking up to 3,000 mg per day, but this dosage has been known to cause uterine contractions, spotting and delayed ovulation in some women.
Side Effects: EPO can cause uterine contractions. Do not use EPO during the two-week wait after ovulation, or during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Do not use if prone to seizures or if taking anti-epileptic/anti-seizure medications. Some people may experience nausea or headaches as side-effects.
back to top
Garlic
Usage: Garlic is a natural do-it-all: it is known to inhibit the growth of viruses, bacteria, candida and certain parasites. It is also a wonderful mucus thinner and is often used to help clear up congestion in the lungs. Some women have experienced an increase in cervical mucus from using garlic.
Recommended Dosage: Only fresh, raw garlic works. Garlic pills and cooked garlic are useless in terms of medicinal value. Take a clove of garlic and mash it down with a spoon, then cut it up into smaller bits and drink it down with a glass of water (as if you were swallowing some vitamins). If you experience burning, just drink more water. You can take 1-4 cloves per day; if taking more than 1 clove, it's best to spread it out throughout the day rather than all at once. It must be used within 30 minutes of smashing. The brave can peel a clove, add a dab of lube and use it as a suppository.
Food Sources: Garlic!
Side Effects: Stinky breath and stinky poo! (Note that the breath doesn't get very stinky when taking it as above described. But I can't help you with the stinky poo part.)
fart!
back to top
Grapefruit Juice
Usage: I researched grapefruit juice and could find nothing anywhere supporting the various claims that it helps to increase cervical mucus and/or helps a fertilized egg to implant. I believe this to be an old (or new!) wives' tale. Grapefruit juice is rich in calcium, potassium, vitamin A and vitamin C, and is of course somewhat high-carb due to the fructose (fruit sugar).
Recommended Dosage: However much you feel like it, unless it gives you heartburn!
Food Sources: Grapefruits.
Side Effects: If you drink too much of it, you might get heartburn. You might also find yourself having to pee a lot if you drink a lot. Heh heh...
back to top
Guaifenesin (Robitussin)
Usage: Guaifenesin is used to loosen and thin mucus.
Recommended Dosage: First of all, see this warning about possible birth defects from the use of guaifenesin. Now, if you still want to try this, make very sure that you buy the plain type that has no letters after the name. Some of the varieties contain decongestants, which will actually dry up your mucus. The recommended dosage for increasing cervical mucus is 2 teaspoons (200 mg) three times a day, with a full glass of water. A better alternative might be fresh, raw garlic, which also thins mucus but definitely does not cause birth defects.
Food Sources: None.
Side Effects: See this warning about possible birth defects from the use of guaifenesin, and also for more information (pro and con) about it in general.
back to top
Pineapple Juice
Usage: There is an old wives' tale floating around that pineapple juice will help a fertilized egg implant. However, pineapple juice is not recommended for use in TTC and/or pregnancy. In large doses, it can cause uterine contractions and bring on spontaneous abortions (miscarriage).
Recommended Dosage: Drink only in small quantities, if at all.
Food Sources: Pineapples.
Side Effects: Large doses may cause uterine contractions, miscarriage, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, very heavy menstrual periods. Unripe pineapple is poisonous, causing excessive diarrhea.
back to top
Progesterone
Usage: Progesterone is a steroid hormone made by the corpus luteum of the ovary at ovulation, and in smaller amounts by the adrenal glands. Progesterone is manufactured in the body from the steroid hormone pregnenolone, and is a precursor to most of the other steroid hormones, including cortisol, androstenedione, the estrogens and testosterone. For more information, click here.
Recommended Dosage: First of all, natural progesterone is much preferred over synthetic progesterone (such as Provera). Again, click here for a full explanation and dose recommendations for progesterone cream. John Lee, M.D.'s web site and books are some of the best resources available regarding progesterone. One can also use natural sublingual progesterone, and the dosages should be recommended by a doctor based on hormone tests. One good source for natural sublingual progesterone is BioHealth Diagnostics, and they can direct you to a doctor in your area who can administer the tests and set up a dosage program for you. If you prefer to use progesterone cream, click here for a comprehensive list of manufacturers of reliable natural progesterone cream.
Food Sources: None. Note that Mexican Wild Yam is not a source of natural progesterone; the chemical compounds which mimic progesterone are not converted by the human body into progesterone, and this is basically nothing more than a marketing gimmick.
Side Effects: Natural progesterone has no side effects. Some women experience sore breasts and other mild PMS symptoms when they first start to use it, but this clears rapidly and they then usually experience fewer PMS symptoms than without the natural progesterone. On the other hand, synthetic progesterone (such as Provera) can cause considerable side effects, possibly including birth defects, partial loss of vision, breast cancer in test dogs, an increased risk of strokes, fluid retention, migraine headaches, asthma, cardiac irregularities and depression.
Recommended Brand: After testing several brands and reading up on several others, I found an excellent brand which strictly follows Dr. Lee's recommendations, and comes in a measured-dose pump bottle. This is GREAT because the other brands come in tubes or jars and it is extremely difficult to get a standard dose in this manner. It is also priced more reasonably than many other brands. Click here for more information.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Usage: Vitamin B6 is used in TTC to lengthen the luteal phase. B6 is also excellent for some types of excema, and is helpful for nerve problems such as tingling or burning fingers and toes, and helps to maintain normal nerve function. B6 is required for the chemical reactions of proteins - the more protein you eat, the more B6 you need. Along this same line, B6 is required for sufficient production of seratonin [alleviates depression, certain migraines, and fibromyalgia pain] and dopamine [required for good mental health; lack of it may contribute to Parkinson's disease], and in fact, a B6 deficiency will make it difficult to assimilate amino acids from your food and any amino acid supplements you might be taking. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. One example of this affecting one's life would be the amino acid L-Tryptophan, which helps one to feel calm and to sleep. Don't turn yourself into a Prozac zombie: Take some B6 instead. B6 is useful in alleviating PMS. B6 is required for the synthesis of antibodies in the immune system, and acts in the formation of red blood cells.
Recommended Dosage: From 50 to 200 mg per day (over and above any multi-vitamin you might be taking). Do not take more than 200 mg extra, as this could cause nerve damage. An excellent form of B6 is called P-5-P (Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate).
Food Sources: Beans, nuts, legumes, eggs, meats, fish and whole grains.
Side Effects: Except as mentioned above (possible nerve damage from excessively high dosage), none, although when taken late in the day, B6 keeps some people awake. Best to take B6 in the morning.
back to top
MEDICINE & HERBS IN PREGNANCY
Drugs in Pregnancy & Lactation
Herbs to Avoid in Pregnancy
Prescribing Medicines in Pregnancy
back to top
Water
Usage: Water is probably the most important substance for the body. Chronic dehydration has become a commonplace and undiagnosed condition. One becomes dehydrated long before thirst sets in. In fact, dry mouth is the last sign of dehydration.
Some of the many results of dehydration include heartburn, rheumatoid pain, back pain, anginal (heart) pain, headaches, leg pain on walking, high blood pressure, and, amazingly, much more. For scientific medical information and full explanations of how and why, check out Your Body's Many Cries for Water, by F. Batmanghelidj, M.D., or click here.
Recommended Dosage: A minimum of six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. Alcohol, coffee, tea and caffeine-containing beverages don't count as water.
The best times to drink water are: one glass 1/2-hour before eating (i.e., three meals per day), and another glass about 2-1/2 hours after each meal, PLUS at least another 2 glasses during the day. There is important additional information in the above-mentioned book, so I highly recommend that you purchase it or borrow it from your local library.
You will experience loss of salt from the body when you increase your water consumption without increasing salt. A few days after having increased your water consumption, you should add some sea salt to your diet. Muscle cramps are often an indication of salt cramps, along with dizziness and feeling faint. You will also need to increase your vitamins and minerals, to replace what is washed out. For every 10 glasses of water (about 2 quarters), add about half a teaspoon of sea salt per day. If your ankles start to swell, reduce salt intake but continue the water, and increase your movement (get up out of that chair!).
Food Sources: Take a wild guess!
Side Effects: There can be undesireable side effects if you drink TOO much water, but 8-10 glasses per day (or slightly more) is not sufficient to bring these on. Make sure you supplement with salt, potassium and other minerals and vitamins (or make very sure you are getting truly sufficient quantities from your diet)."
|
. I agree Mary Beth that's gross. I just thought the pineapple juice was interesting, since a few of us tried this last cycle.
6/24 
