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For every couple there comes a time when
'starting a family' becomes a priority. Nowdays it appears that
conception, which should be easy and natural, is becoming more and
more difficult for some.
Those affected may even believe they are infertile. And really the
female may merely have a simple hormonal inbalance while the male
only needs a lifestyle change.
At Your Wellness Centre we find that it really is different for
each couple. Along with the use of effective natural therapies we
will consider information related to lifestyle, occupation, general
health as well as family history. This can help ascertain whether
there is a genetic factor that may contribute to fertility
problems. Then we may need to delve further to find the cause of
the problem. This may entail further tests.
Once the body is brought back into balance, it
is time to start making sure that the eggs and sperm are healthy
and this is when Preconception care is
important.
Preconception Care
Ideally both partners need to enjoy a period of
at least 4 months of optimum health before conceiving. The
formation of sperm may take up to 116 days, and immature eggs take
approximately 100 days to mature before released for ovulation.
Given these cycles – 4 months is essential for the health of your
sperm and eggs to be at their best.
A number of foetal abnormalities and childhood
developmental problems have been found to be related to nutritional
deficiencies before and during pregnancy.
Dietary Considerations
Food choices for both partners leading up to
conception are important. Buy organic produce where
possible.
Grains –Vary your
grains, choosing whole meal, wholegrain, brown pasta, brown rice,
spelt, millet, barley, corn.
Vegetables –Lots of
vegetables should be eaten every day, making up to at least 40% of
your total food intake. Keep nutrient loss to a minimum by eating
raw, stir fried, steamed or dry baked vegetables.
Fruit –2-3 apple-sized
pieces of fruit should be eaten per day, no more as the sugar
content is high. This includes fruits you decide to juice – dilute
juice 50/50 with water.
Protein –A palm sized
portion of protein at least two to three times a day. Protein can
be animal or plant based.
Dairy - Dairy should be
eaten sparingly. It creates mucus in the fallopian tubes.
Fats –Olive or canola
oil is best for cooking in, and add cold pressed olive oil to your
salads. Substitute butter with avocado, hummus or nut spreads on
your bread.
Water – Ideally water
should be filtered to avoid heavy metals from rain water tanks or
old pipes.
Supplementation
The requirement for Folic Acid in pregnancy has
been well publicised however Zinc is considered to be the single
most important nutrient for a couple planning pregnancy as it is
linked to sperm health and fertility in women. Inadequate zinc
leads to common problems such as stretch marks, cracked nipples and
prolonged labour as well as more serious problems such as foetal
growth retardation, post natal depression and congenital
malformations. Calcium, Magnesium, Fatty Acids, Vitamins A,
B,C, Selenium and Taurine are also very important for health and
fertility.
Herbal Treatments
A combination of herbs with detoxifying and
liver supportive properties is
recommended.
Things to Avoid
Foods to avoid are products containing white
flour and sugar.
Refined
carbohydrates – Refined
carbs have very little nutritional value yet they still require the
presence of vitamins and minerals to be metabolized.
Green
potatoes - are
toxic and should be avoided .
Fats and fried foods –
avoid animal
fats and fats or oils which have been
heated.
Additives – almost
everything which comes in a can, packet or bottle has something
added to preserve it, enhance it’s colour, taste or texture. This
also includes processed meats such as salami – they contain
preservatives.
Salt – Avoid
salting your food if what you are eating is pre-prepared – this
includes bread.
Coffee and tea
– Replace coffee
and tea with herbal teas, but if it is too difficult allow yourself
2 cups of tea per day.
Caffeine adversely affects reproductive health.
It interferes with the ability of the sperm to swim forward and
reduces fertility in women. It also inhibits the absorption of iron
and destroys B vitamins. There have been links with caffeine
consumption and chromosomal damage, and consumption during
pregnancy is associated with spontaneous abortion and congenital
abnormalities.
Alcohol - There
are direct effects on fertility for both partners regarding the
consumption of alcohol.
Allergens
– Do not eat a
particular food if you suspect an allergy or intolerance to
it.
The acid/alkali balance in your diet is very
important.
The aim is to get your body in peak condition
prior to conceiving, which includes strong digestion and a healthy
immune system. The effect of stress, addressing the fear of
miscarrying, being ready to parent a child etc, should not be
underestimated, particularly if such thoughts have been hanging
around for a while. Stress can delay ovulation which in turn
affects the health of the embryo.
So find many ways to relax and reduce your
workload and responsibilities.
Your Program
During the preconception period, extra
detoxification may be required, for example if there are high
levels of mercury or lead. Additional things to consider are to
avoid exposure to toxins such as household cleaners, petrol fumes,
etc and address any weight concerns (either under weight or
overweight can affect a child’s health) and increasing your
exercise to increase general health, reduce stress and increase
pelvic circulation.
Protocols for treatment of infertility,
menstrual disorders or allergy can be added to the basic nutrition
program.
Do you need a really Special
Program?
If so, Your Needs are addressed
individually.
If you are experiencing difficulty in concieving
we recommend special tests for detecting problems. You may
simply need our proven strategies for enhancing
conception.
Our comprehensive fertility and preconception
programs are available for those couples who are keen to be
pro-active in preparing for parenthood. It also suits those who are
simply adding to their families.
We have a range of formulations which, in
conjunction with a prescribed diet provides complete nutritional
support. These supplements are designed as an all-purpose program
for general preconception and pregnancy care. Individual needs are
also considered and may be added to the program where
necessary.
If you are ready to take the next step towards
planning for a healthy pregnancy feel free to call us on 9879 9596
and book an appointment with one of our naturopaths or fill in the
form below to receive a free detailed fact sheet on fertility and
pregnancy.
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