The following is help for those trying to get pregnant, already pregnant, or about to experience the blessed event. Once again, please seek the assistance of a qualified person before taking these herbs. Use at your own risk.

Fertility
The first place to start is at the beginning. Below are some things that will help to improve your fertility when the decision is made to go from a couple to a family.

First, you need to check with a physician to determine where the infertility problem lies. Many things can affect fertility for both the man and the woman. A few tests will go a long way to preventing a lot of hair-pulling and finger-pointing. If sperm count is low, a quick solution is to wear boxers instead of briefs. Sperm needs to be cooler than the body temperature to form properly.

Uterine fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, stress, age - all have a factor in fertility for women, and these situations need to be addressed before embarking on an herbal treatment for fertility.

Fertility Tonic

• 4 parts rehmania
• 1 part astragalus root
• 1 part dong quai root (substitute ginseng for men)
• 2 parts false unicorn root
• 3 parts wild yam root
• 1 part vitex berries
• 1 part squaw vine
• 1 part cinnamon
  

The tonic may be used in tincture (3/4 teaspoon daily), capsule (3 capsules twice per day), or tea (one cup three times per day) form. Use daily for up to 3 months. During this time, change your lifestyle to include plenty of exercise, rest, and above all, a healthy diet. Take a multivitamin every day. Your life is a direct reflection of what is going on in your body, both male and female. Take stock and change what you should to aid in overcoming the infertility.

Herbs During Pregnancy
These are herbs that will help the mother and baby in the early development stages.

Black Haw - used in the early stages of pregnancy to help prevent miscarriage

Blessed Thistle - used in the latter stages of pregnancy as a liver tonic and builder, as well as a stimulant of blood flow to the mammaries, and used to increase milk production; also reduces hemorrhaging during childbirth

Burdock Root - has a high concentration of vitamins and minerals and a liver booster

Chamomile - lifts the spirits and calms the nerves, used for digestive disorders during pregnancy, is combined with ginger to help morning sickness, and has a high calcium content as well as an antiinflammatory aid

Cramp Bark - a remedy to have handy in case of spot bleeding during early stages of pregnancy, and helps prevent miscarriage due to stress and anxiety

Dandelion - greens and root - a high source of vitamins and minerals, aid digestion, nourishes and tones the system, diuretic, useful for fatigue and exhaustion, liver booster

Ginger Root - used for morning sickness and digestive problems, safe during pregnancy for treating colds, sore throats, and congestion

Kelp - high in vitamins and minerals, aids thyroid

Nettle Leaf - rich in many vitamins and minerals, especially iron, so it is very useful for those suffering from chronic fatigue and exhaustion due to low iron, aids in enriching and stimulating flow of milk; god for use throughout all stages of the pregnancy

Red Raspberry Leaf - tones and nourishes the uterine muscles, rich in vitamins and minerals, enriches and increases milk flow, restores the system after childbirth; good for the entire pregnancy

HERBS TO AVOID OR USE WITH CAUTION DURING PREGNANCY
Many herbs contain steroids that can affect the baby's development during pregnancy. Others may be of a mild toxic type, and others may be strong uterine stimulants. Please read this section carefully and take heed.

Angelica - stimulates suppressed menstruation

Black Cohosh - uterine stimulant - mostly used during labor

Blue Cohosh - a stronger uterine stimulant

Borage oil - a uterine stimulant - use only during the last few days of pregnancy

Comfrey

Dong Quai - may stimulate bleeding

Elder - do not use during pregnancy or lactation

Fenugreek - uterine relaxant

Goldenseal - too powerful an antibiotic for the developing fetus

Henbane - highly toxic

Horsetail - too high in silica for the developing fetus

Licorice Root - can create water retention

Motherwort - stimulates suppressed menstruation

Mugwort - can be a uterine stimulant

Nutmeg - can cause miscarriage

Pennyroyal Leaf - stimulates uterine contractions (NOTE: Pennyroyal essential oil should not be used by pregnant women at any time!)

Rue - strong expellant

Saffron - can cause miscarriage and other problems

Shepherd's Purse - used only for hemmorhaging during/after childbirth

Uva Ursi - removes too much blood sugar during pregnancy

Yarrow - uterine stimulant

ENDING PREGNANCY
For obvious reasons, I will state here that I do not get myself involved in the issues surrounding the termination of a pregnancy. I also will not give herbal advice for doing so. I appreciate the needs of the many women who find themselves in the position of needing to terminate a pregnancy for whatever reason.

Most herbs that could produce an abortion would have to be taken in such large doses to do so that it often is not a viable alternative, or could shut down or damage sensitive organs, and most do not have the desired affect.