Preconception Care
Where possible, it is recommended to begin preconception care at least 3 months before trying to conceive, as it takes around 3 months for an egg in the ovary to mature. While 3-12 months is an ideal timeframe for preconception care, it is never too late to begin preconception care, the body is incredibly responsive and a little love goes a long way in this process.
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To support conception:
〰️Ensure you have a regular menstrual cycle and are ovulating! Look for signs of ovulation such as changes in cervical mucous
〰️Start taking a good quality, practitioner-grade pre-natal supplement, prescribed by your Naturopath
〰️Support your liver: eating a well balanced diet, eliminating alcohol, reducing caffeine and ensure adequate water intake
〰️Incorporate stress management practices such as daily movement, meditation, deep breathing, time in nature. Stress plays a large role in infertility
〰️Eliminate any toxic substances from your diet and environment, including alcohol and household chemicals
Important nutrients for the preconception period include:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Omega 3 〰️ required for healthy brain, heart, eye and nervous system development. Adequate Omega 3 reduces the risk of pre-term birth, and has been shown to reduce post-natal depression and baby brain
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Zinc 〰️ Zinc supports fertility by maintaining regular hormone function and ovulation
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Choline 〰️ supports brain development and healthy gene expression, reduces the risk of neural tube defects and supports foetal development
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Iodine 〰️ promotes healthy thyroid function which promotes the formation and development of foetal organs and tissues. Iodine is also important for brain development, skeletal formation and the nervous system
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Folate 〰️ reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia, prevents neural tube defects, assists with embryo development and is important for ovarian responsiveness which will assist with improving egg quantity
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Iron 〰️ iron is needed to carry oxygen in the blood to a developing foetus and support increased maternal blood volume. Iron enhances fertility by improving ovulation. If there is a deficiency before pregnancy, it can be difficult to reach adequate stores during pregnancy and can put the baby at risk of deficiency
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Vitamin D 〰️ helps the body to tolerate the growth of a baby who contains 50% foreign genetic material (from the sperm). Vitamin D supports embryo implantation into the uterus, and adequate levels prior to conception and pregnancy are associated with reduced risk of the baby developing asthma, allergies and developmental issues
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Vitamin E 〰️ regulates the synthesis of sex hormones and optimises the health of the ovum. Vitamin E also improves endometrial thickness which results in increased rates of pregnancy
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Vitamin B12 〰️ deficiency has been linked to reduced ovulation and birth defects
