Trying or preparing to try? In Chinese medicine we prime the body by building Blood and Jing (essence), smoothing Qi, and warming the womb so implantation feels welcome. Below are our five highest-leverage shifts for the 90 days before conception (the full lifecycle of an egg).

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1) Build Blood & Essence (the raw materials of fertility)

Think of Blood and Jing as the nutrient “bank account” for cycles, implantation, and early pregnancy.

Do this for 8–12 weeks

• Prioritize protein (aim for a palm-sized serving each meal).
• Add blood-building foods: slow-cooked meats/broths, beets, black sesame/tahini, dates, leafy greens, cooked berries, nettle or raspberry-leaf infusions.
• If you run low ferritin or feel run-down, test and correct iron with your clinician.
• Gentle strength training 2–3×/week to signal anabolic, pro-fertility hormones.

Avoid: frequent fasting or crash dieting; they deplete Blood/Jing.

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2) Strengthen Spleen Qi (Glucose Balance + Microbiome Health) = Better Egg Quality

In Chinese medicine, excess sugar weakens Spleen Qi and creates dampness—the sluggish terrain that can cloud cycles. In modern terms, big blood-sugar swings push insulin up, which can disrupt ovulation hormones and the mitochondria inside your eggs (oocytes). Steadier glucose → steadier hormones → better egg competence and implantation odds.

Simple ways to stabilize (90 days pre-conception):

• Protein-first plates: include 25–35g protein each meal; add healthy fats + fiber (greens, beans, seeds).
• Front-load carbs earlier in the day; keep dinner starch moderate.
• Order of eating: veggies → protein/fat → starch (reduces glucose spikes). In short- sweets/dessert ONLY after a full protein-rich meal.
• 10–15 min walk or light movement after meals.
• Swap sweet drinks for water, tea, or mineral water.
• Sleep 7–9 hours; short sleep worsens glucose control.

Optional labs & supports (with your clinician): fasting insulin (or HOMA-IR), A1c; consider myo-inositol (esp. if PCOS), magnesium glycinate, and omega-3s as appropriate. Herbs/supplements are individualized—please don’t self-prescribe once you might be pregnant.

TCM lens: reducing sugar + stabilizing meals “dries damp,” strengthens Spleen, and builds higher-quality Blood/Jing—the raw materials of healthy cycles and eggs.

Additional tips for 8-12 weeks preconception:

• Favor warm, cooked meals; limit iced drinks and cold raw smoothies.
• Pull back ultra-processed sugar and heavy dairy.
• Add ginger, cinnamon, fennel, and bitter greens.
• Finish dinner 3+ hours before bed.

Green-flag signs: regular, formed stools; less PMS bloat; steadier energy.

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3) Warm the Womb (support healthy luteal phase)

A “cozy nest” matters. Cold exposure to the lower abdomen can constrict micro-circulation.

Try

• Keep feet and low abdomen warm (socks, hot water bottle at bedtime on non-ovulation days).
• Moxa (mugwort heat therapy) over points like Ren-4/6 or Spleen-6 can be brilliant—only with guidance from your acupuncturist and not after ovulation if there’s a chance of pregnancy.
• Cycle-sync meals: post-ovulation, choose warming stews, root veggies, and spices.

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4) Smooth Qi so hormones can do their job

Stress constrains Liver Qi, which shows up as PMS, clots, breast tenderness, or short temper.

Aim for 8k steps a day to improve stress tolerance, circulation and lymphatic flow. This is preferable to HIIT or cardio-heavy workouts which can spike cortisol too much during your preconception prep time.

Daily 10-minute ritual

• 3 minutes: hand on heart + low belly, slow exhale (6–8 counts).
• 5 minutes: gentle hip spirals/spinal wave; finish with a long sigh.
• 2 minutes: name a desire and one small request you’ll make today.
• Bonus acupressure: Pericardium-6 (inner wrist) for calm + Liver-3 (top of foot) for flow.

Consistent acupuncture (weekly for 6–8 weeks) helps regulate the HPA axis and cycle rhythm—this is where we see momentum.

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5) Track Fertile Signs (and optimize the fertile window)

We blend TCM body literacy with simple tracking so you time intimacy without obsessing.

For 2–3 cycles

• Note cervical mucus (egg-white stretchiness = peak fertility).
• Optional: BBT charting to confirm ovulation (rise after ovulation).
• Aim for intimacy every 1–2 days during your fertile window; keep it playful, not clinical.
• If cycles are very short/long, or luteal phase <11 days, bring this to your acupuncturist for a tailored plan (and review labs with a functional medicine consult).

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Safety: Herbs/supplements are individualized—please don’t self-prescribe, especially once you might be pregnant. If you’re on thyroid/autoimmune/anticoagulant meds, coordinate all changes with your clinician.

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