I want you to purge all negative thoughts you’ve ever felt towards your cycle. We have been socialized to regard it a disgusting, painful, shameful inconvenience. But it is really a gift. It is our 5th vital sign- a wealth of information to help us better understand our bodies and our fertility.
Let’s start from the very beginning to understand just how amazing our bodies are and how harnessing the power of your cycle can help you conceive!
PHASE I: MENSTRUAL PHASE
The first day of your cycle begins with the first day of your period. Gone are the days of lamenting another period with all of it’s inconvenience and ick-factor. From here on out I want you to regard it as a fresh start- an opportunity to nurture yourself, to cultivate several days of fertile cervical fluid (more on that later), to build a healthy uterine lining, and create a warm, welcoming, and nourishing environment for implantation and development.
Phase I is your period, ideally 3-5 days of bleeding with few or no clots and minimal or no pain or cramping. During this phase the goal of both treatment and diet and lifestyle modification is to promote the smooth flow of blood to clear the endometrial lining, so that you are starting with a clean slate for your next cycle.
PHASE II: FOLLICULAR PHASE
Phase II begins when the period ends. The focus during this phase is on the growth and maturation of the follicle that will hopefully be fertilized by the sperm at ovulation. It is also the time when your body begins developing a new healthy, juicy lining that will be critical for implantation in Phase IV. Diet and lifestyle modifications are geared towards restorative, nourishing foods and practices that allow the body the energy to build and nourish the reproductive organs and support these critical functions.
PHASE III: OVULATION PHASE
Phase III is characterized by the few days (typically 4 or 5) leading up to and including the day of ovulation. During this phase the focus is on promoting ovulation, the release of the egg. Such a dynamic phase is supported by stimulating activities and exercises as well as relaxation (high stress can inhibit ovulation so relaxation and stress management are critical).
PHASE IV: IMPLANTATION PHASE
Phase IV is the period of time from ovulation until your period or a positive pregnancy test. During this time emphasis is on warming and nourishing the uterus and supporting implantation. This is the most Yang (similar to progesterone) phase of the cycle and is supported by energetic, warming Yang (pro-progesterone) foods and some stimulating activity (but not to the point of depletion).
Now you know how each phase of your cycle plays a role in conceiving a healthy baby. Knowing what is happening in your cycle is critical to optimizing the processes each step of the way. Now you just need the tools to do it!