Natural pregnancy

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Nov, 2004 by Katherine Duff

Enhancing Fertility: A Couple's Guide to Natural Approaches

by Chris Meletis, ND and Liz Brown

Basic Health Publications, 8200 Boulevard East, North Bergen, New Jersey 07047 USA, 201-868-8336

Softcover, 202 pp., 2004, $14.95 US, $23.95 Can

When a couple fails to conceive, it is likely they may believe their only choices include surgery and technological treatments. Authors Chris Meletis, ND and Liz Brown offer many other options in the book Enhancing Fertility: A Couple's Guide to Natural Approaches. With strategies for building a stronger foundation with a healthier diet, to therapies found in natural medicine, the book can be used alone or as a complement to fertility treatments found in conventional medicine.

Infertility is defined as failure to conceive after at least one year of regular intercourse without contraception. The authors list the many reasons for infertility in both men and women. The majority of those physical problems involve ovarian function, ovulation, Fallopian tubes, low sperm production, abnormal semen and immune related factors. But looming large over these malfunctions is the fact that couples are waiting until a later age to start their families. The older we are when trying to conceive, the more likely one of these problems will develop and prevent conception. For this reason, the authors advise those under 35 to try the techniques in this book for six months before consulting a specialist and those over 35 should consult the specialist while using this book.

The first half of the book concentrates on building a healthy foundation for the purpose of not only conceiving, but also ensuring an uneventful pregnancy and healthy child. The authors advise the couple to make these changes six months before attempting conception. Here they discuss the nutrients that would support these efforts with emphasis on essential fatty acids, vitamins C and E and B vitamins. They suggest changes to lifestyle that if adopted, would aid in fertility.

They also address some of the environmental influences that may have an effect on fertility. Whether it be chemicals in the workplace, solvents used in the home and yard or a community pollution source, the authors offer a primer in identifying and avoiding these chemicals with referrals to other sources for more information.

The second half of the book deals with the individual problems that may be preventing conception and possible treatments. With a proper diagnosis made by someone who specializes in fertility, the options in the field of natural medicine are many and varied. Featured in this book are treatments using nutritional medicine, botanical medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Homeopathy and physical medicine.

Nutritional medicine, the most accessible of these disciplines, has a track record in treating the problems blocking conception. Addressing both men and women, the individual problems are discussed and the nutrient supplements that can remedy the problems are included. In addition, those vitamins and minerals that can improve one's odds of fertility are listed.

The other modes of natural medicine would best be addressed through the assistance of a trained professional. These methods generally approach the problem of infertility holistically, which is to say that the preferred treatment is to get to the root of the problem and treat the whole person, not just the individual symptoms. The professional, be it those practicing botanical medicine or Traditional Chinese Medicine, will take into account the individual malfunction, and address other areas of concern, such as stress. In Traditional Chinese Medicine infertility would occur when balance and harmony of the body has been disrupted. Restoration of that balance may be accomplished through the use of herbal medicines and acupuncture.

A more recent addition to natural medicine would include the many therapies offered for treatment of the musculoskeletal system. Craniosacral therapy is one of these. It originated in the 1970's as a touch therapy to treat movement restrictions that can impair the function of the central nervous system, which in turn can affect fertility. Another addition is the WURN Technique, which involves site-specific massage and physical therapy to treat adhesions and mechanical factors that cause pain and account for over half the cases of female infertility.

Enhancing Fertility has a lot to offer the couple seeking to conceive whether or not they are experiencing fertility problems. There is valuable advice here for men and women working to maintain good health and a good environment for their future children. With input from conventional fertility experts and natural medical practitioners, this book offers a well-rounded protocol for a complementary approach to fertility problems.

review by Katherine Duff