How to encourage ovulation

[TheMrs.]

Hello!

I have one lovely :bigboy: and plan to have only one more child. We would really love a :XX:, so we're doing a bit of swaying as we try to conceive again. The first month didn't work, which surprised us because I have a 3/5 record of getting pregnant (I had two blighted ova due to DH's medication; he stopped the meds and BAM! Healthy boy). But, no big deal, on to the next month!

The biggest problem for me is that I take SOOO long to ovulate. To conceive my first son, I took royal jelly and maca root powder. Maca is an androgen and is known to stimulate hormones and help shorten women's cycles. I felt great on it (lots of energy, high sex drive—probably lots of testosterone!) and it shortened my cycle to 30 days. However, from everything I've read, maca sways blue (don't know anyone who had a girl on it!) so I'm not taking it this time around.

Now I'm still breastfeeding my toddler (only at night and reducing slowly) and I've had only two periods since he was born. I need more cycles so we have more chances to conceive! Here's my question: Is there a way to encourage ovulation without chlomid and without swaying blue?

Thank you!
TheMrs.

[TheMrs.]

Oh! Also, I'm 96 pounds... was 96 when I conceived my son, and 96 again now. At 5'3", that means I have a low BMI, which I'm sure is contributing to the long cycles. BUT that's my natural weight (small-boned) and I eat plenty. When I was in college, I had regular periods and weighed about 115. I don't want to purposely gain weight because that sways blue. So I'm in a bit of a pickle.

-TM

[atomic sagebrush]

Vitex! http://genderdreaming.com/forum/ttc-girl-best-practices/1094-vitex-faq-share-your-experiences-here.html

I don't like or trust maca or royal jelly, just wanted to mention that for anyone reading this thread.

[atomic sagebrush]

Other option would be Clomid, is there a particular reason why you want to avoid that??

If you need to gain weight for your health, PLEASE do so.

[TheMrs.]

Thanks so much! What a great essay on Vitex, and very relevant to my situation. I will definitely try it, starting at a low dose first. I had read a few years ago that it delays O in some women, so I initially looked the other way. But worth a try!

I'm scared that chlomid would result in twins. I don't think my body would do well with that. Also, I'd have to involve my doctor to get the chlomid. I have a feeling she'd just say, "Well then stop breastfeeding and see if your cycle shortens." Does anyone use chlomid without a doctor's supervision?

[atomic sagebrush]

Some do use Clomid without a doctor's supervision. It is best not to do that of course, but I do want people to let me know so I can help do it safely.

Most doctors will advise people to stop breastfeeding, which to me is medically unneccessary and the benefits of nursing to both baby and mother's health are so great that it's really not good medical advice anyway.

[TheMrs.]

Thanks! One more question. My son is almost two and a half and I need more sleep (and he needs better quality sleep), so I'm ready to wean him entirely. Do you think my body will read a two-week or so weaning period as an improvement in my condition and throw off my sway (which I've been doing for about 8 weeks now)?

[atomic sagebrush]

I'm sorry but I don't have the data available to answer that. I just don't know.

[Atsaukina1]

i thought you had to be having a period to take clomid?

[atomic sagebrush]

if your doc prescribes clomid they will give you prometrium or something like that to make you have a bleed (will not truly be AF because you have not ovulated) then you will take the clomid starting 2-5 days after the first day of that bleed