eating for fertility, warning: talk of ovulation!

Don't worry (Mum!), we're not trying for a baby or anything yet! Although one of my favourite bloggers Loni Jane did just give birth to a beautiful baby boy on Sunday and, even though she doesn't know who I am, I am really happy for her. The blogging world is weird, okay?

I stole this intimate picture from her tumblr page. I'm a creep.

So, why all the fuss about fertility? Basically I have stumbled upon Nat Kringoudis' website and have been devouring the information like a madwoman. Nat is a doctor of Chinese medicine and specializes in fertility, conception and breaking through myths (and socially constructed hush around women's issues) regarding the pill, ovulation, conception and fertility. This woman is amazing! Not to mention absolutely gorgeous and lovely to boot. Hello, girl crush.

I always know when I have found something that really resonates with me because I can't stop thinking about it. All this stuff about actually embracing being a woman (and not feeling guilty about having breasts, hips and a period) is something that I truthfully haven't given much thought to in the past. After reading Nat's articles (and the user comments that often follow them, usually in the dozens), I have decided to go off the pill after the honeymoon. This will be in about six weeks, and I honestly can't wait to get to know my natural cycle. This is a BIG deal for me; I was a late bloomer developmentally (sorry to worry you, Mum and Dad!) and actually only had my period for around three years prior to going on the pill. I don't even remember what my natural cycle is actually like! I feel like I'm venturing into the great unknown, and it's kind of exciting.

My baby doesn't look normal! Oh wait, it's a dog

I am actually a little underweight at the moment and have been on the pill for around seven years, so I am really curious to see what this new adventure brings. My fingers are crossed that I actually have a cycle, and that I haven't destroyed it with medication, weight loss and stress. The pill itself strips the body of important vitamins and minerals, and in light of my hypothyroidism diagnosis by my naturopath, I really have to focus on putting the right things back into my body! Our bodies are very clever and only ovulate regularly and reliably when it is safe to do so; if our bodies (and minds) aren't in a fit state to conceive and maintain a pregnancy, our cycle will forfeit. 

Delicious, nourishing, unphotogenic organic polenta porridge

The other good thing about going off the pill after the wedding and honeymoon is that it will give me the chance to get my body in optimal condition for making babies when Luke and I do decide to start trying. Apparently it is great to start preparing with natural supportive fertility treatments (e.g. eating right, reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, acupuncture) between six months and a year prior to trying for a baby. It can also take a good few months for your body to get back into the swing of things after coming off the pill too, so it wouldn't hurt to start now.

So, in addition to the many supplements I am taking and dietary changes I am making to help recover from hypothyroidism, I am going to start eating for my fertility as well! I am going to continue with my veganism for ethical reasons (and because I'm in love with it), but this will mean adding more good fats, hormone balancing and supporting foods and supplements, eating enough, and eating food that supports my individual constitution (e.g. eating warm, nourishing foods to help my sluggish digestion instead of trying to maintain a cold, raw diet which is actually hard for me to digest). 

Bespoke vegetable pie made for me from my family

Cheers to fertility and good health! And girls, think twice before you go on the pill- it's scary coming off something that you have been taking every single day for seven years and not knowing how your body is going to react. Get to know your beautiful cycles.