JOURNAL 02: The importance of preconception Care
Preconception care is all about getting both parents to be as healthy as possible because healthy people make healthy babies. A healthy you will mean healthy cells, eggs and sperm, all of which will create your baby and determine your baby’s health.
Evidence demonstrates that the health of both parents before and during pregnancy is strongly associated with the healthy development and general health of a person in adulthood. This is especially true in relation to obesity, cardiovascular disease, mental health, risk of cancer, gut health and immune functioning.
Men, we are also talking to you here; the health of your baby also comes down to you. We love it when the male partner also comes along to the appointment when couples are trying to have babies – it literally does take two to tango! The health and quality of sperm is important for successful conception and the health of your baby. Evidence shows that men who have a poor diet, high stress, smoke and drink large amounts of alcohol have a lower sperm count. This can lead to difficulties when it comes to conception and can increase the risk of miscarriage. When both partners get on board you are likely to have better success.
The best thing about preconception care is that it’s an overall health change, like going on a health kick. It will give both of you achievable changes to your diet and lifestyle which you will be able to maintain long term. All advice is practical, realistic and easy to achieve. Plus, it’s nice to know that you have someone to help you through one of the most important stages of your life, giving professional advice along the way.
So what does getting healthy and pregnant involve?
Approximately three months (100 days) is the ideal time frame for preconception care. Sperm and eggs take this amount of time to develop or mature and it means that, while they are doing this, they are getting the benefit of the changes you are making to improve your overall health. We have worked with some couples for longer than this depending on their current health status. The time frame will be determined at your initial consultation.
Some of the things that may be involved in your preconception plan are listed below. These will be tailored specifically to what you need as a couple as not everyone is the same.
Dietary advice
Nutritional supplementation for both of you
Miscarriage prevention
Lifestyle changes (stress reduction, exercise advice)
Practical and evidence-based advice
An in-depth and thorough health screen including nutritional deficiencies, gut health, hormonal health, genito-urinary and other infections
Referrals to other health professionals i.e. acupuncture for proven support
Who would benefit?
Couples, single women or same sex couples who want to give their baby the best possible start to life
Couples or single women who have general infertility (with or without known cause) including problems with sperm quality, anovulation, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis etc
Couples who have experienced one or more miscarriages
Couples who have experienced previous complications such as prematurity, low birth weight, stillbirth or sudden infant death syndrome.
Couples or single women currently undergoing in-vitro fertilisation (IVF)
A note on IVF
If you are already undergoing IVF, you may not feel there is time to take a break or, alternatively, you may feel like some time off is what you need. We are able to work with you to create a successful plan regardless of where you are in your fertility journey. It is possible to continue trying to conceive or undergoing IVF and incorporate some preconception principals as you go.
Next steps
We can help you create and achieve a preconception plan to improve your health and lifestyle and potentially increase your chances of conception and the future health of your baby. We are passionate about creating a healthy you so we can create healthy children in Australia. Book an appointment here to start your preconception plan!
