Menstruation as a Sacred Practice When Trying to Conceive: Honoring Your Cycle as a Mini-Postpartum

For women on a fertility journey, menstruation can bring waves of grief, frustration, or even hopelessness—a reminder of another cycle passing without conception. At Sparrow’s Nest, we have supported many women through fertility challenges and understand how difficult it can be to navigate each cycle when you were hoping to be pregnant. That’s why we take a holistic approach, offering gentle, hands-on care and lifestyle guidance to support your body’s natural rhythms to boost fertility. 

Your mindset and how you care for yourself during this time can play a significant role in your pregnancy journey. What if each period could be seen not just as an ending, but as a profound opportunity? A chance to prepare your body, heart, and mind for the postpartum experience when you finally hold your baby in your arms. By reframing this time as a sacred and potent mini-postpartum, you can shift from sorrow to deep nourishment, rest, and reflection.

Why your period is like a Mini-Postpartum

The postpartum period and the menstrual phase have a lot in common, especially when it comes to the bleeding, healing, and rejuvenation the body needs. After birth, the body experiences lochia, which is a type of bleeding as it sheds remnants of the placenta and uterine lining. Similarly, during menstruation, the body sheds the uterine lining if pregnancy hasn't occurred. 

Both processes are forms of renewal and require the body to take some time to recover. After birth, the body works to heal, with the uterus shrinking back to its pre-pregnancy size and recovering from the physical demands of labor. Menstruation also involves some healing as the body repairs the uterine lining and resets hormone levels. In both cases, the body needs time to recharge, restore nutrients, and regain balance. Giving yourself plenty of rest, nourishing foods, and gentle care can make all the difference in supporting your body through these phases.

Just as postpartum demands warmth, nourishment, and gentleness, your menstrual phase thrives on the same principles. By embracing this time as a period of deep self-care, you create an environment of receptivity and renewal, which is vital for conception.

>1. HOLISTIC MENSTRUAL CARE

Transitioning to organic, reusable menstrual products can help you cultivate a deeper connection with your cycle. Consider:

• Organic period underwear 
• Period blankets
• Organic Reusable pads

These options honor your body’s natural rhythms while avoiding exposure to toxins found in conventional menstrual products.

>2. WARMTH AND SLOWNESS

In many traditional cultures, menstruation and postpartum are both seen as times when the body is more open and vulnerable. Keeping warmth in your body is essential:

• Wear socks and keep your feet warm to prevent stagnation.
• Use a heating pad or warm castor oil pack over your womb. Or you can wear what the Japanese call a haramaki. It's a stretchy warm sleeve that you pull on to cover your stomach, also known as a stomach warmer. 
• Drink warm teas, such as ginger or raspberry leaf, to support circulation.

>3. NOURISHMENT

Your body is shedding and rebuilding, much like it does postpartum. Support yourself with:

• Easily digestible foods like soups, stews, congee, or bone broth ( If you want great recipes, I love all the books by Heng Ou)
• Iron-rich meals to replenish blood loss, such as grass-fed liver or black beans
• Warming spices like cinnamon, turmeric, and nutmeg to aid digestion and circulation

>4. HONORING YOUR BLOOD

Menstrual blood is powerful, containing stem cells and deep ancestral wisdom. Instead of seeing it as waste, consider ways to honor it:

• Collect your blood in a jar with water and offer it back to the earth as a sign of gratitude.
• If you have privacy, free bleed onto the earth, allowing a direct connection with nature.
• Use your blood in sacred painting or journaling practices, acknowledging its life-giving properties.

>5. REST AND RECEIVING SUPPORT

Postpartum is a time for receiving—allow yourself to practice this now.

• Slow down your social engagements and embrace solitude.
• Accept help from your partner, friends, or community.
• Give yourself permission to take naps or spend extra time in bed.

>6. REFLECTION AND RELEASE

Each menstruation holds a gift: the chance to let go of what no longer serves you. This is an opportunity for inner excavation, rather than external consumption.

• Journal on what you are ready to release before stepping into a new cycle.
• Practice breathwork or meditation focused on surrender.
• Limit social media and digital noise to tune into your inner world. 

The Power of Reframing Menstruation

As you continue on your journey to conceive, embracing your period as a sacred time can be profoundly healing. You never know when this cycle will be your last before pregnancy. By treating it as a mini-postpartum, you create a foundation of rest, nourishment, and self-love—one that will serve you through conception, pregnancy, and beyond.

If this topic lights you up, I highly recommend exploring the teachings of my mentors, Nancy Lucina and Kristin Hauser, who have shared invaluable wisdom through the Blood Mysteries School Their insights have deeply shaped my own understanding of menstrual and reproductive health.

If you're on a fertility journey and looking for extra support, we’d love to help. At Sparrow’s Nest, we offer gentle, hands-on care through Mercier Therapy, along with lifestyle guidance to support your body and mind during this season. If you’re curious about how this might fit into your journey, we’d love to chat—schedule a consult with us and let’s see how we can support you.

How do you honor your menstrual cycle? If you’re struggling to conceive, would this reframe of menstruation as a preparation for postpartum feel welcome? I’d love to hear your rituals and reflections in the comments below.

P.S. Healthy ovulation is closely tied to blood sugar regulation. Starting your day with a protein-rich breakfast within an hour of waking can support your conception journey. Grab our free breakfast recipes here!