Many couples seeking fertility assistance are curious about what kinds of treatments they can seek outside of the fertility clinic to improve their chances for pregnancy success. At our Kansas City Fertility Clinic, Midwest Reproductive Center, we are firm believers in the holistic approach to fertility – we want our patients to enjoy whole health, not just improved fertility.

Dr. Dan Gehlbach and the rest of the team are happy to support your search for complementary fertility-enhancing care, giving you all of the information and advice you need to make safe and healthy choices.

Use Great Caution with Fertility Herbs and Supplements

On your path to pregnancy you will see many advertisements for fertility-enhancing herbs and supplements. These can be quite tempting because of their big promises, natural-sounding ingredients and low cost. Unfortunately, in most cases, these ads are too good to be true for several reasons.

• Many of the herbs and supplements marketed for fertility enhancement have had very little peer-reviewed research to back up the claims.
• The FDA does not regulate most herbs and supplements.
• Many might not have any effect at all or, even worse, could cause harm.
• Additional herbs and supplements could interfere with fertility treatments or other medications you might be taking already.

Because of these issues, fertility specialists warn women who are trying to get pregnant to use caution with herbs and supplements, and to always consult with a doctor before taking anything new.

Holistic Treatments for Holistic Fertility

Fortunately, there are some wonderful holistic fertility treatments that can improve your quality of life as you try to get pregnant. Dr. Gehlbach suggests that his patients seeking holistic treatment try one or more of the following treatments:

Acupuncture : Fertility acupuncture may help regulate hormones, reduce inflammation and improve circulation. It is also very effective for relaxation and reduction of stress hormones.

Meditation: Appreciating the mind/body connection is very important for holistic health. Meditation is a very useful pathway to positive visualization and breathing techniques that help reduce stress and invite a peaceful calm into your mind and body. When we feel relaxed, all of our body’s systems function better, including reproduction.

Massage: Sometimes we need help to work out tension that accumulates in our body when we feel stress. Massage is an excellent way to re-establish a connection to our bodies and therapeutically rejuvenate our muscles, tissue and circulation. Many women report improved sleep, mood and overall well being after massage, all of which strengthen the reproductive system.

Our caring team at Midwest Reproductive Center would be happy to talk to you about safe, holistic fertility care options. Please contact us to schedule a consultation so we can share our information and experience.