An expectant mother burst into laughter and tears as her hyper-excited husband broke the news to his friends, after finally getting the result of his wife’s ultrasound confirming the existence of a six-month-old baby in her womb. The couple considered the pregnancy a miracle of nature: she is forty-three years old, he is forty-five. In their six years of marriage, the couple sought natural alternatives to get pregnant. She refused assisted reproductive technologies, which her doctor prescribed. She has a phobia of needles and gags easily when inhaling or taking medication. He is a considerate husband who fully supports his wife’s request to follow the natural ways to get pregnant. The couple called the entire process a tree planting pregnancy, much like caring for a plant that requires diligence and determination. The couple’s efforts were rewarded when nature responded positively… now they have… a tree… err, a baby.

With the advent of solid medical technology available to aid reproduction and pregnancy, women who have infertility problems and inability to conceive can now undergo treatment/therapy to ensure pregnancy. The inability to conceive was found to be the result of the woman’s advanced age according to various studies and medical research. The female ovarian reserve, which is responsible for a woman’s fertility potential, declines as a woman approaches age 30 or older.

The chances of getting pregnant are slim among older women; the statistic shows that among healthy 30-year-old women, there is a 20% chance of getting pregnant per month; the probability is lower among women aged 40 and over, which is estimated at a 5% chance of pregnancy per month.

Still, forty-something women tested their chances by committing to clinically and physician-prescribed fertility methods and procedures. Many would-be mothers are successful in this endeavor, although medical research has found increased maternal risk when a woman becomes pregnant at an advanced age, even with the safety and availability of medical technology. Some, like my friend mentioned above, could hardly go through the arduous process of an Assisted Reproductive Technology; therefore, the natural ways to get pregnant is the best option.

Natural remedies such as herbal and homeopathic treatments that improve fertility in women have a positive effect on the hormonal system, improve sexual desire and protect the reproductive organs. Herbs that help balance hormones are now available in capsules, drinks, and food to stimulate the glands and produce sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone).

The traditional Chinese herb called Cimcifuga racemosa is now valued for its potency in helping to improve hormonal functioning and its unique property in preventing miscarriage and can also be used as a therapy for conditions related to menopause.

Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosis) is also another herbal remedy that helps correct hormonal imbalance; improve libido, as well as enhance sexual pleasure and general improvement of systemic reproductive health.

My partner-friend chose to grow these medicinal herbs in her garden to symbolically support her cause for a naturally induced pregnancy.

Planting trees may be a more successful endeavor than conceiving a baby through natural remedies, but it’s worth a try for those “mommy wannabes” who aren’t willing to undergo medically approved artificial technology procedures in today’s marketplace.