When the Womb Is Cold: Fertility, Climate & Nourishment for Irish Women

Carmel Keane
Jan 21
3 min read

Living in Ireland, we understand the cold on a deep level. The damp, the wind, the grey mornings that seem to settle into the body — especially for women.

Over many years as a Registered Nurse, and later through my training in Ayurveda and Functional Medicine, I began to see how profoundly our climate can influence fertility — particularly for women trying to conceive or experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss.

Conceiving Is Not the Same as Sustaining Pregnancy

In hospital settings, I cared for many women navigating miscarriage, fertility challenges, and loss. I supported women through D&C procedures, recovery, and grief — and later worked as a paediatric post-anaesthesia nurse, caring for newborns and children at their most vulnerable.

One truth became very clear to me:

👉 Getting pregnant is not the same as having the nourishment to carry a pregnancy to full term.

This distinction is rarely discussed — yet it matters deeply.

The Irish Climate & Excess Vata

From an Ayurvedic perspective, Ireland’s climate is predominantly:

● Cold

● Damp

● Windy

● Variable

These qualities strongly aggravate Vata dosha, which governs:

● Circulation

● Movement

● The nervous system

● Implantation and early pregnancy

When Vata is excessive, conception may occur — but the body may lack the warmth, blood nourishment, and stability required to sustain pregnancy.

I have seen this pattern repeatedly:

● Women who conceive easily

● But experience early miscarriage

● Or repeated pregnancy loss without a clear medical explanation

In Ayurveda, this often reflects insufficiently nourished blood (Rasa and Rakta) and a womb environment that is too cold, dry, or depleted.

This is not a failure of the body. It is a message.

What I Witnessed as a Nurse

Working across medicine, surgery, women’s health, ICU, and post-anaesthesia care, I saw the physical and emotional reality of pregnancy loss up close.

What struck me most was how rarely anyone asked:

● Is her body deeply nourished?

● Is her nervous system calm and supported?

● Is blood supply robust enough to support life?

● Is stress diverting resources away from reproduction?

Too often, care focused only on procedures — not restoration.

Bridging Ayurveda & Functional Medicine

When I later trained in Ayurveda and Functional Medicine, the pieces came together.

Ayurveda asks:

● Is there enough warmth?

● Is blood healthy and abundant?

● Is Vata grounded and calm?

Functional medicine asks:

● Are iron, ferritin, B12, and folate optimal?

● Is thyroid function supportive of pregnancy?

● Is cortisol draining reproductive hormones?

● Is gut health impairing absorption?

Together, they tell a fuller, more compassionate story.

A Nourishing, Individualised Approach

Every woman’s fertility journey is unique — but supportive care often includes:

Ayurvedic Support

● Warm, grounding foods

● Healthy fats and well-cooked meals

● Daily rhythm and rest

● Nervous system regulation

● Supporting healthy blood formation

Functional Medicine Support

● Optimising iron, B vitamins, and minerals

● Thyroid and adrenal balance

● Gut health and nutrient absorption

● Reducing inflammation and toxic load

This approach isn’t about forcing pregnancy — It’s about creating an environment where life can thrive.

Why Personalised Care Matters

My years as a nurse taught me how deeply personal women’s health is. My work today integrates clinical understanding with holistic wisdom — always centred on the individual woman.

Especially in Ireland’s climate, women need care that is warming, nourishing, stabilising, and deeply supportive.