When it comes to fertility, many people think about medical factors, but did you know that what you eat and how you live can also play a big role in your journey to conceive? Stress, smoking, and being overweight can hinder your fertility, while incorporating more leafy greens into your diet might just give you a boost. While following a fertility-focused diet doesn’t guarantee pregnancy, it can improve your chances of conceiving naturally, enhance IVF success rates, and support a healthy pregnancy. That’s why we’re excited to team up with Sarah Mitchell, a registered Nutritional Therapist, to provide tailored nutritional support for our patients.
Understanding Nutritional Therapy
Nutritional therapy is all about using science to identify and correct imbalances in your body that could be affecting your health. By combining scientific evidence with personal experience, we develop customized nutrition plans that fit your unique needs as an individual or couple. However, most couples trying to conceive can benefit from some common strategies, including:
- Managing Stress: This means tackling work-related stress, emotional challenges, and even environmental stressors like chemicals found in plastics or personal care products. Reducing alcohol, caffeine, and sugar intake can also help lower stress levels.
- Boosting Fruits and Veggies: Especially those leafy greens rich in folate, a natural form of folic acid. These nutrient-dense foods provide vital vitamins and minerals that support reproduction.
- Incorporating Healthy Fats: Healthy fats are essential for hormone production. Foods like nuts, seeds, olive oil, fatty fish, and avocados can help in this area.
Nutritional support can be particularly beneficial for:
- Men with low sperm count or quality.
- Women dealing with conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, or fibroids.
- Individuals aiming to lose weight for better conception outcomes.
- Couples who have faced multiple miscarriages.
- Those seeking nutritional guidance during IVF.
Nutritional Sessions with Sarah
Sarah offers a variety of nutrition session options designed to fit your needs. Ideally, these sessions should begin about two months prior to IVF or conception, but that’s not a strict rule. Sessions typically occur every 4-6 weeks and include a personalized plan with recommendations and meal ideas. Sometimes, additional supplements and tests may be suggested at an extra cost. Here’s what’s available:
- Individual Healthy Conception Package: Three sessions (90 mins initial, followed by two 60-min follow-ups) covering roughly 12 weeks of nutrition support, plus phone and email assistance.
- Couples Healthy Conception Package: Three 2-hour sessions, also covering about 12 weeks and including support.
- One-off Session for Individuals: A 90-minute session that provides a basic nutrition plan to kickstart your conception journey, with optional follow-up appointments.
- One-off Session for Couples: A 2-hour session offering a foundational plan for both partners, with the option for further support.
If you’re ready to embark on your fertility journey, we’re here to help! Reach out to our patient support team for guidance on your options and to book your initial consultation with a fertility expert. This is a great time to start exploring other resources too, like the information on biophysical profiles in our blog post, or check out Make a Mom for expert insights on your fertility journey. For more information on pregnancy and home insemination, Healthline is an excellent resource as well.
Summary
Nutritional support can play a significant role in enhancing fertility. By focusing on a balanced diet, managing stress, and seeking professional guidance, you can optimize your chances of conception. Whether you’re an individual or a couple, tailored nutritional therapy can help you navigate your journey to parenthood.