Preconception care is healthcare undertaken before pregnancy, with consideration of the health of both prospective parents and the factors that may be relevant to conception, pregnancy and the health of a future child.
At Fertile Ground, we have worked in fertility and reproductive health since 2001. Our approach to preconception care is individual rather than prescriptive. We look at where you are now, your reproductive and general health history, what investigations you have already had, what you eat, what you are taking, what might warrant further investigation and what is realistically useful for you before trying to conceive.
You may be planning your first pregnancy, returning to conception after pregnancy or pregnancy loss, trying for some time already, preparing for IVF or another assisted reproductive treatment, or simply wanting to understand what you can do before you begin.
Where possible, many people choose to begin preparing around three months before trying to conceive. This provides time to review nutrition, lifestyle, relevant pathology and existing supplements or medications, and to address issues identified during your assessment.
Three months is not a prerequisite for care, however. Fertility rarely follows a perfectly organised timeline, and there is still value in reviewing your health wherever you are in the process.
If you are already trying to conceive or are about to begin fertility treatment, your naturopath can work with the timeframe you have.
Preconception care should be much more individualised than simply taking a prenatal vitamin.
Depending on your history and circumstances, your naturopath may consider your:
We also consider what doesn’t need investigating or treating. More testing and more supplements are not automatically better. Part of good preconception care is determining what is relevant to you and when medical investigation, referral or collaboration with another healthcare provider is appropriate.
Many people arrive at Fertile Ground with pathology from their GP, fertility specialist or another healthcare provider. We can review existing results in the context of your broader health and reproductive history and identify areas that may warrant further discussion or investigation.
Where clinically appropriate, your naturopath may recommend additional pathology or suggest that particular investigations are discussed with your GP or fertility specialist.
This can be especially useful when you have been trying to conceive for some time, have a diagnosed reproductive condition, are experiencing irregular cycles, have had previous pregnancy loss, are preparing for fertility treatment, or have other health concerns that may be relevant to preconception care.
Preparing for pregnancy is not solely about the person who will carry the pregnancy.
Sperm contributes half of the genetic material at conception, so where sperm is involved, we consider male reproductive and general health as part of the preconception picture too.
This may include reviewing semen analysis results, medical and reproductive history, nutrition, lifestyle factors, relevant exposures and existing supplements, and identifying when further medical assessment may be appropriate.
If IVF or another form of assisted reproduction is part of your plan, preconception care can sit alongside your fertility treatment rather than competing with it.
Your naturopath can review your nutrition, pathology, medications and supplements in the context of your upcoming treatment and adapt recommendations as your fertility specialist’s treatment plan changes.
We place particular importance on knowing what medications you are taking and avoiding unnecessary supplementation or potential interactions during fertility treatment.
Read more about IVF Naturopathic Support
There is no single “fertility diet” that is right for everyone.
Our naturopaths look at your usual diet, nutritional requirements, health history and relevant pathology before making recommendations. The aim is to identify where your diet is already serving you well, where there may be nutritional gaps and what changes are realistic and worthwhile for you. The same principle applies to supplements.
Preconception supplements should be selected with consideration of your individual needs, diet, pathology, medical history, medications and other supplements. Taking more is not necessarily better, and ingredients can be duplicated when multiple fertility, prenatal and general health products are combined.
We can review what you are already taking and recommend changes where appropriate.
Naturopathic preconception care does not replace appropriate medical assessment or fertility treatment. Our naturopaths regularly work with people who are also seeing GPs, fertility specialists, obstetricians and other healthcare practitioners. Where relevant, we encourage you to share pathology, diagnoses, medication changes and treatment plans so that our recommendations can be made in the context of your broader care.
If something in your history or assessment warrants medical investigation, we will recommend that you follow this up with the appropriate healthcare provider.
Fertile Ground Health Group has worked with people through fertility, preconception, IVF and pregnancy since 2001.
Our fertility naturopaths bring together detailed case-taking, nutrition, pathology review, evidence-informed supplementation and individualised naturopathic care. Rather than giving everyone the same preconception program, we work from your history, your investigations, your circumstances and where you are in your reproductive journey.
Preconception naturopathy is available in Melbourne and via telehealth Australia-wide.
Book with a fertility naturopath
Many people choose to begin preconception care around three months before trying to conceive, which provides time to review health history, nutrition, pathology, lifestyle and supplements. You do not need to wait three months before trying, however, and care can be adapted to wherever you are in the process.
Not necessarily, but where conception involves sperm, male reproductive health is an important part of the preconception picture. Depending on your circumstances, this may include reviewing general health, lifestyle, nutrition, semen analysis results and other relevant investigations.
Yes. You do not need to complete a preconception program before trying to conceive. Your naturopath can work with your current circumstances and adjust recommendations if you become pregnant or begin fertility treatment.
Yes. Naturopathic care can be provided alongside IVF and other fertility treatment. It is important that your naturopath knows your treatment plan, medications and supplements so recommendations can be made appropriately and adjusted as treatment changes.
Bring any recent blood tests, fertility investigations, semen analyses or relevant specialist reports you have available, together with a list or photographs of your current medications and supplements. You do not need to arrange testing before your first appointment.
