Nurturing Nature: Empowering Women of Color in Their 40s with Natural Fertility Options

As women who've had fertility challenges and are in the fertility space, we share the profound desire to build a family that is both beautiful and an innate aspiration encoded deep in our DNA. When considering fertility options, the path we choose can significantly impact our health and well-being. For women of color, specifically black women, the importance of embracing natural fertility options takes on a new dimension, given the alarming statistics on black maternal health. As individuals who have stood at the nexus of reproductive justice & cultural preservation for the past decade, we know that black maternal health begins before conception.

We don't hide our stance because you came here for the real.

Many people believe that while IVF is expensive, it's an easier option for conceiving because the process is largely handed over to fertility doctors who essentially quarterback the process. If you've ever known anyone who was shuttling themselves daily or weekly to the fertility clinic to monitor hormones or who was taking shots in their backside, you know this is not by any means an easy option.

And I'll add this caveat because many people do, in fact, get the baby they have dreamed about through the IVF process, and that is a blessing; none of what we are about to share takes away from that. Likewise, same-sex couples have limited options when it comes to conceiving, and IVF presents them with an opportunity to experience the pregnancy and baby—and again, we don't wish to take that away from anyone.

What we do wish is that women have informed consent and make decisions concerning their health with information.

There are, of course, drawbacks of IVF that include:

Health Implications: IVF, while a viable option for some, can pose potential health risks and side effects. IVF & Fertility Doctors look to map and then "correct" particular levels of hormones and chemicals in the body to help the body conceive. But our bodies are unique, and this poses potential long-term consequences for women. Hormones do so much in our bodies (not just making you testy before your period or babies—they help our heart, bones, and neurology). Additionally, almost always (with the exception of obesity), doctors are very direct that their interventions are essentially a work around. Almost never are they addressing the root causes of infertility. For women of color, who already face disparities in maternal health, this can be downright dangerous.

Financial and Emotional Strain: IVF can be financially and emotionally taxing. A doula friend of mine in NY mentioned to me that she had quite literally delivered "a million-dollar baby." For women in their 30s & 40s, seeking a more sustainable path to conceive, embracing natural fertility options can reduce the financial burden and emotional stress.

Limited Success Rates: IVF success rates may vary, leaving women in their 40s searching for more dependable alternatives. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, as of my last update in September 2021, the average number of IVF cycles required to achieve pregnancy is around 2 to 3 cycles for women under 35 years old. For women between the ages of 35 to 37, it may take an average of 3 to 4 cycles, and for women between 38 to 40 years old, the average may increase to 4 to 5 cycles. For women over 40, the average number of cycles may be higher. Natural fertility options offer a comprehensive approach to address the root causes and specific needs of women of color so women can heal before they try to conceive.

Addressing the Root Causes:

Holistic Approach: Natural fertility options focus on nurturing the body and mind as a whole. When we reclaim our indigenous ways of knowing and working with the body, medicine, as well as our collective nature, we heal the parts of ourselves that long for the connection with our ancestors. Additionally, we keep our ancestors' work alive. Holistic options are humble in their approach because they acknowledge that there is medicine in everything in nature. Those who become the wise women and the medicine women learn to have deep relationships with these plants, minerals, and other beings to learn how they/the relationships can be healing. Holistic options often work on multiple levels and acknowledge that lethargy, general unhappiness, lack of motivation, or waking up without hunger are all signs of dis-ease in the body, unlike your general practitioner who is unlikely to look very far into these sorts of claims or they are beyond the scope of what they do. Disease in the body can have physical or psychosomatic origins, so in women's holistic health work we look for both and treat both.

Identifying Underlying Issues: Good natural fertility options delve into identifying and addressing the root causes of infertility. PCOS, endometriosis, cysts, fibroids, hypothyroidism, hormonal imbalance are all a particular brand or way that the body is expressing the imbalance, but they are NOT the root cause of the imbalance. For women of color, who often experience additional stressors due to systemic disparities in access to quality health care, nutrition, and safe spaces, and or that might have histories of trauma, a holistic approach can address the root causes of subfertility. Understanding the unique factors affecting women of color is crucial to creating personalized solutions, which is why it is important that we privilege fertility work by women of color for women of color.

Sustainable Lifestyle Changes: Choosing natural fertility options empowers women of color to make sustainable lifestyle changes that support their reproductive health. By prioritizing their overall well-being, they pave the way for a healthier pregnancy journey, birth & postpartum. When women get the tools to heal themselves, they heal their families and their children—society heals.

An Example: The 90 Day Fertility Fix Program

The 90 Day Fertility Fix Program offers a transformative 90-day journey to optimize fertility potential. Led by esteemed experts in holistic women's reproductive health, Regina Kankinza Pritchett, an Ayurvedic Fertility Coach, and Manorah Sangeet Raj, a Somatic Fertility Coach, The 90 Day Fertility Fix Program focuses on healing the real root cause of infertility: the womb-gut connection or our axis of fertility. The program pays special attention to addressing the unique needs of women of color living under the demands of the 21st century.

Recognizing that black maternal health begins long before pregnancy, this program delves into essential aspects of health and well-being for women of color, ensuring a supportive and empowering experience. To learn more about The 90 Day Fertility Fix Program and how it caters to the specific needs women in their 30's and 40s, visit their website at www.90dayfertilityfix.com. With decades of experience in holistic women's reproductive health, Regina Kankinza and Manorah Sangeet Raj are dedicated to supporting women of color on their journey to motherhood.

For women of color in their 40s, the decision to build a family carries unique considerations. As you consider fertility options, embracing the natural path can be empowering and nurturing. By choosing natural fertility options and engaging in transformative programs like The 90 Day Fertility Fix, you prioritize your health, happiness, and fertility potential. Remember, the strength lies within you to create the family you've always dreamed of - one loving and holistic step at a time. Optimize your journey, honor black maternal health, and nurture your future with natural fertility options designed for you by women like you.