Pineapple Core Method (For Egg Implantation)

Pineapple Core Method helps with Implantation

• About Pineapple Core Method

For those of you who do not know what it is and what it is for, this method is said to help with egg implantation. Pineapple contains bromelain, which can aid implantation. You take an entire pineapple and slice it into 5 pieces. Some people say you only eat the core, others have eaten a whole pineapple.  For me, I like fruit so eating the meat and core of the pineapple were not a problem for me and brought me success. I do recommend using a fresh pineapple vs using a canned one. You eat one slice each day for 5 days, starting after the day you ovulate.  So you would eat it from 1-5 days past ovulation. You do not want to eat more than that, because too much is said to have the opposite effect, inhibiting implantation. However, if you miss starting it at 1-day past ovulation, you can take it from 2-6 days past ovulation. If you miss 2 days past ovulation, you can take it 3-7 days past ovulation. However, you do not want to start the pineapple core method after you have passed 3 days past ovulation.

• My Experience

Similar to taking the Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C, I first tried the Pineapple Core Method while trying to conceive my second child. However, I only tried it on my last cycle, the cycle I became pregnant with my second child. I think the Pineapple Core Method and Vitamin C helped with  egg implantation. The cycle before my last, my luteal phase was a 10 - the minimum you need for the egg to have enough time to properly implant. 

Since my last cycle was my most regular cycle while breastfeeding, I was not completely sure of the day I ovulated, although I was taking OPKs (ovulation prediction kits). It was the first time I ovulated earlier than I had in my previous postpartum cycles. I ended up only eating one slice of pineapple for 3 days instead of the 5. So I ate it, 3-5 days past ovulation. Also, I ate the one slice of pineapple in one sitting. Eating that much pineapple at once can sometimes make your mouth sting a little. It's not that it hurts, but it's almost like numbing or tingling feeling that last for a little while. Since some people advise against eating the meat of the pineapple calling it too acidic, in the future, I will probably intentionally eat it for 3 days starting 3-5 days past ovulation to be on the safe side since that seemed to work the first time.

• Articles

According to Natural fertility info's article, Using Bromelain to Encourage Implantation – One Pineapple Slice at a Time, "Consuming too much bromelain at the wrong time in the cycle may be prohibitive to conception. Timing consumption of bromelain is important to support implantation. Stay away from eating this fruit in the weeks prior to ovulation. The acidity can actually backfire against fertility at that point, causing your cervical mucus to become inhospitable to traveling sperm. It is also suggested that you avoid ingesting bromelain once you have a positive pregnancy test too. According to licensed acupuncturist Heather Pentland, at the New Leaf Healing clinic, ingesting large amounts of bromelain may cause mild contractions and slight thinning of blood which may not be supportive for implantation in very early pregnancy." I've included the directions from the article below.

To achieve the best results, you should:

1. Purchase a ripe pineapple. Organic is always best.
2. Use a knife to remove the pineapples exterior.
3. Cut through the middle of the pineapple, from top to bottom, leaving halves to work with.
4. From each half, slice six to eight equally sized wedges.
5. After confirmed ovulation (or an embryo transfer, in the case of In-Vitro Fertilization), begin consuming one to two slices of pineapple each day.

This article also warns, "It is important to remember not to core the pineapple – you will want some core in each of your slices, as the core contains the highest concentration of bromelain. Because of the blood-thinning properties, you should also avoid taking aspirin (or other blood thinners) while consuming pineapple on a daily basis" (Campbell).

• How To Soften Pineapple Core 

If eating the pineapple core is difficult or unpleasant for you, this tip may help you.

Immediately after cutting the pineapple, the core is pretty hard and woody. However, cutting it a day or two before it will be eaten and letting it sit in a covered container in the fridge softens the core up considerably making it much more pleasant to eat.

• Supplement Alternatives

If you do not want to eat pineapple, there are bromelain supplements you can purchase from Amazon.com. To read more about Pineapple vs Bromelain tablets, click  here.

Sources

1. Campbell, Leah. "Using Bromelain to Encourage Implantation – One Pineapple Slice at a Time." Natural Fertility Infocom. The Natural Fertility Company, 2015. Web. 31 Oct. 2015. <http://natural-fertility-info.com/bromelain-pineapple-for-implantation.html>.