Natural Approach to Preconception Planning

 

You wouldn’t buy a new house without doing your diligence, right? Same thing here - you don’t want to get frustrated because you overlooked, or was unaware, about a health issue like a nutritional deficiency, hormonal imbalances or fertility issue, or get halfway through your pregnancy, until you’ve stopped and done your diligence. For best health outcomes for both parents and the health of your future babe, it’s ideal to focus on aspects of health before pregnancy; the preconception period.

Addressing any health concerns and laying the foundations of good nutrition & lifestyle choices is imperative in the preconception period to balance hormones & optimise fertility, including general health for IVF.

Why is preconception planning important?

Since a woman’s ova (eggs) are susceptible to damage for 100 days before ovulation and sperm formation takes up to 116 days, the pregnancy preparation for both prospective parents should be for a minimum period of four months before conception to optimise your fertility, and support a thriving pregnancy, birth and fourth trimester.

What’s involved with preconception planning?

I have a multifactorial approach, including some or all of the following:

  • Female fertility - includes full blood test, hormone testing, ovulation/period tracking to learn about your fertility window

  • Male fertility - includes a full blood test and sperm analysis

  • Nutritional guidelines for healthy hormones & pregnancy, including meal ideas and recipes

  • Optimising digestion, immunity and sleep

  • Supporting healthy stress response

  • Environmental factors and other toxins

  • Other testing or lifestyle recommendations, where necessary

A few preconception planning recommendations

During preconception & pregnancy it’s important to focus on eating a wholefood diet; that is eating food as Mother Nature intended. Just good old fashioned food - focus on food that grows in the ground, not a lab!

Enjoy quick and easy, nutritious foods, including vegetables, fruits, eggs, flaxseed & olive oil, nuts, seeds, legumes, oily fish, organic meat & whole grains.

Steer away from processed, sugar-laden foods, which play havoc on blood sugar levels & energy, contribute to immune dysfunction & can deplete your body of key nutrients needed for healthy hormones and pregnancy.

A golden rule is, if your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognise it as food, don’t eat it.

What are the benefits of naturopathy during pregnancy?:

  • Supports pre and post-natal health

  • Regulates blood glucose levels & prevents gestational diabetes

  • Improves energy levels

  • Protects cardiovascular health & prevents pre-eclampsia

  • Reduces nausea, heartburn & constipation

  • Regulates mood

  • Supports healthy hormones

  • Improves quality of sleep

  • Reduces muscle cramps, including restless legs syndrome

  • Modulates your immune system to ward off pathogens, such as colds/flus & reduces allergy outbreaks

  • Optimises nutritional status

  • Supports the growth & development of the foetus

I hope this gives you a little insight into ‘the why’ of preconception planning and why it’s so important when considering not just bubs’ health but also parent’s health.

If you’d like a personalised preconception or pregnancy consultation with me, you can book in here

 
HealthOlivia McFadyen