Help for Infertile Couples
Help for Infertile Couples
Photo by Eric Ward
It is the last day of National Infertility Awareness Week and National Infertility Month. Did you know that one in eight couples experiences the pain of infertility, often in silence? That is a large number. Even though infertility has become common in the U.S. and other parts of the world, many women experience shame when it happens. National Infertility Week/National Infertility Month raises awareness of infertility, helps couples cope with infertility, and encourages couples to “come out” with their friends and family without shame or embarrassment. We heal by expressing our truth, not suppressing it.
When I was in Lima, Peru, I interviewed Dr. Angela Brocker, a well-respected general practitioner and midwife in Peru. I asked her the difficult question, “Why is infertility so common today and how can it be remedied?”
Dr. Angela Brocker shared that the main reason men and women are struggling with infertility has to do with the artificial lifestyle. She believes cell phones, radiation, and junk food play a big role. Lack of sleep, stress, and women no longer being connected to the natural rhythms of nature, such as the cycle of the moon are also big factors.
With her clients, Angela first recommends that they get back into nature, find their rhythm, and eat good-quality, organic food. Nutrition is very important. She finds that sometimes the man may need herbs to boost his sperm, but often times, simply eating nutritious, homemade food is all that is needed. Angela says that she is fortunate to live in a country with such excellent food and fantastic restaurants.
It is true. I lived in Peru for two months and I was amazed by the fresh produce and how hard it was to find processed food. At one point, I was looking for chicken broth and I asked a woman who lived there where I could find chicken broth to purchase. She looked at me perplexed and said, “You make it yourself. No one in Peru buys chicken broth.” That really hit home how much Americans have come to rely on processed, fast food. When we are sick we head to the store and pick up some pre-packaged chicken broth. We may add our own vegetables and noodles and spices, but not many of us start from scratch.
The food was delicious and high-quality in Peru. I miss the avocados which melted in your mouth and the fresh-squeezed juices. I agree with Angela whole-heartedly; we are what we eat and wellness doesn’t have to be as hard as some may make us believe.
Would you like to hear more of my amazing interview with Dr. Brocker? Would you like to receive updates of this blog? Click here to receive weekly reminders in your inbox of this blog and to be notified when my new book, about holistic childbirth around the world, has been published.
Being infertile is very difficult for couples to accept. Unfortunately many couples do not share their pain with others and many are not aware of natural alternatives to IVF and that there are general practitioners like Angela who can help suggest small changes that can make a big difference.