Preparing for Pregnancy (Preconception Care)

Many of our patients are very surprised to learn that their diet, lifestyle and environment can negatively impact not only their hormonal health and fertility, but also the life-long health of their baby. At Adelaide Natural Fertility, we work with both future parents, to educate and address the factors that may be affecting their health and fertility, and ensure optimum health for both parents, BEFORE conception occurs.

Preconception care should ideally start at least 4 months prior to trying to conceive. This is because the egg (ova) and sperm take around 90-120 days to develop, and our goal is ensure that, at the time of conception, we have the very healthiest possible egg and sperm available to meet & create your future baby.

Your health and nutritional status prior to, and at conception, is also very important once you have conceived. In the first few weeks after conception, the growth and development of the embryo is massive, increasing by more than 2 million times in the first few months. This period, known as the embryonic period, is when all of the cells are growing and differentiating to form all of the different organs and tissues that make up your baby. In fact, by the time most people realise they are pregnant, the baby’s brain, spinal cord and nervous system, heart and circulatory system, and other organs have begun to form and function. The rapid phase of growth in the first few weeks and months of pregnancy places huge nutrient demands upon the expectant mother. Adequate preconception and pregnancy care can ensure that all of these nutrient needs are fully met, reducing not only the risk of miscarriage and neural tube defects, but having longer term positive benefits during pregnancy, and the health of the child later in life.

 

What are the benefits of Preconception and pregnancy care?

Preconception and pregnancy care has many benefits, not limited to:

• Supporting healthy sperm production
• May improve semen parameters, including count, motility and morphology
• May improve sperm DNA integrity
• Supporting healthy egg (ovum) development
• May support corpus luteum function
• Supporting healthy uterine function
• Decreasing the risk of pregnancy side effects and complications, such as morning sickness, constipation, haemorrhoids & varicose veins, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, pre-term birth, low birth weight or large for date babies, post-natal depression and lactation issues.
• May reduce the risk of future health issues for your baby, including mental health issues,
• Cardiovascular health issues (heart attack and stroke risk), risk of obesity and development of diabetes.
• Most importantly…. It optimises your chances of successful conception and pregnancy!

 

Who can benefit from preconception care?

Preconception care is suitable for anyone considering a pregnancy, including:

• Couples who want to improve their general health and give their baby the best possible start in life
• Couples with ‘unexplained’ infertility
• Women or couples with a previous history of miscarriage, still-birth, premature birth, low birth weight
• Women or couples with know or unknown reproductive disorders, such as irregular cycles, including PCOS and Endometriosis
• Men who have problems with sperm count or quality
• Men, woman or couples using any form of assisted reproductive technology (ART), such as ovulation induction, IUI, IVF or ICSI, as well as those considering surrogacy, donating eggs or sperm

 

What is involved?

At Adelaide Natural Fertility, we acknowledge that every person’s health/history is unique, and treat accordingly. In your initial consult, Michelle takes a detailed health and reproductive history, assesses diet and nutritional status, and reviews lifestyle, occupational, environmental and other factors, such as PCOS, Endometriosis, Hormonal imbalances or Semen issues, that could be potentially impacting your health and fertility.

At your consult Michelle will review any tests results available. If hormone &/or fertility testing has not yet been done, or if they are not current, then Michelle can organise new ones to be performed. Other relevant tests, such as general blood tests, genetic tests and tests to assess nutritional status or for exposure to environmental toxins may also be organised at this time. At subsequent consultations, Michelle will work with you to help you identify when in your cycle you are most fertile, in order to achieve a natural conception (Natural Fertility), and will help to manage any other symptoms you are experiencing. Our treatments focus on optimising your health, and may include individualised dietary recommendations, nutritional supplements and herbal medicine.

ART/IVF Support

Whether you are considering IVF, are booked in for your next cycle, or already have embryo’s ready to transfer, Adelaide Natural Fertility can help.

Our treatment approach is tailored to your circumstances and individual needs, to optimise your fertility and support the effectiveness of the fertility treatment you are undertaking.

Treatment may include individualised dietary recommendations, nutritional supplements and herbal medicine.

Pregnancy, Labour & Post-partum Support

Pregnancy is a time of great change, mentally & emotionally, as well as physically. As our bodies change, so do our nutritional requirements, and the symptoms that we can experience. Many of the common symptoms of pregnancy can be prevented with preconception care, however, if you are pregnant now, and have not had the benefit of our preconception care, then Naturopathic pregnancy support can help to alleviate many of the common symptoms women experience. Our pregnancy support treatments are individually tailored, and may include dietary recommendations, nutritional supplements, herbal or homoeopathic medicines. At Adelaide Natural Fertility we recommend fortnightly appointments during the first trimester, monthly appointments in the second trimester and fortnightly or monthly appointments in the third trimester, depending upon your individual needs.

Health Complaints that we may be able to assist with:

• Morning sickness
• Threatened miscarriage
• Food cravings
• Reflux, Heartburn & Indigestion
• Constipation & Haemorrhoids
• Fatigue
• Gestational Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Fluid retention
• Lowered immune system
• Preparing for labour

The final few appointments of our pregnancy support program focuses on preparing your body to give birth. Partus preparators are herbs used in the final weeks of pregnancy to help tone the uterus, ensure an effective labour, and enhance recovery. Partus preps are typically prescribed from around 34 weeks, with the dose increasing each week until delivery, and may be continued after giving birth, to help the uterus return to its normal size.

Acupressure may also be used during this period to help prepare the body for labour, and post birth to assist with recovery.

Homoeopathic birthing kits are also available for purchase.

Male

Low sperm count

Low sperm count is the most common cause of male infertility. There are many factors that can negatively impact sperm count. Naturopathy, including dietary and lifestyle factors, may be of benefit in improving sperm count.

Low sperm motility

Poor sperm motility – or the inability of sperm to ‘swim’ properly, is another common cause of male infertility and one of the most common reasons for couples needing to undergo ICSI as part of their ART/IVF treatment. Naturopathy, including dietary and lifestyle changes, can be of immense benefit in improving semen parameters, including sperm motility.

Poor sperm morphology

Sperm morphology refers to the shape or physical appearance of the sperm. Some men have high levels of irregularly shaped sperm, which can affect the ability to bind to and fertilize an egg naturally. Naturopathy, including dietary and lifestyle changes, can be of immense benefit in improving all semen parameters, including sperm morphology.

DNA fragmentation

The integrity of the DNA of sperm is essential for normal embryo development. A high level of DNA fragmentation in sperm has shown to reduce the likelihood of a successful pregnancy, regardless of the type of assisted reproductive technology used. Naturopathy, including dietary and lifestyle changes, can be of benefit in improving DNA integrity, thus reducing the likelihood of miscarriage and increasing pregnancy rates.

Female

Endometriosis

Naturopathy may be able to help with managing pain and other symptoms associated with endometriosis.

Fibroids

Depending upon size and symptoms, Naturopathy may be able to reduce the size & minimise symptoms.

Ovarian Cysts

Depending upon the size & type of cyst, Naturopathy may be able to help reduce the size, symptoms & frequency of occurrence.

PCOS

PCOS is a complex disorder that responds extremely well to individualised Naturopathic treatments, including dietary and lifestyle factors. Areas that we can assist include: weight management, cycle regulation, fatigue, unwanted hair growth, hair loss, acne, pelvic pain and more.

Male & Female

Miscarriage

Recurrent miscarriage may be related to a number of factors, including maternal immune function, DNA integrity of sperm, methylation issues (MTHFR gene variations) & thyroid disorders, to name just a few.

Naturopathy, including dietary and lifestyle factors, may be of benefit in identifying and correcting underlying causes of recurrent miscarriage.