Preconception Care

Preconception care is vitally important and should start at least six months before you try for a baby.  Preparation for pregnancy means that both parents can be as healthy as possible when the baby is conceived.  This goes a long way towards safeguarding the health of the unborn child, promoting a trouble-free pregnancy and is particularly important where there has been a history of miscarriage, premature birth, birth defects, or problems with fertility that seem to have no particular cause.  The first few weeks of pregnancy are vital ones for the baby’s development and there is plenty of research to indicate that the state of health of parents at the time of conception has far-reaching implications for a child’s future development.

THE ORTHODOX APPROACH

Conventional medicine is only just beginning to take preconception care seriously, largely because f a shortage of resources.  It is fair to say that couples planning a family are not as a rule urged to seek medical help before a pregnancy is established, though your physician will be happy to give you a general check-up and advice if you ask for it, or refer you to a specialist if necessary.  From a physician’s point of view it makes sense to check blood-pressure levels before conception so as to establish a “bench mark” against which changes during pregnancy can be assessed.  It is now also accepted that a supplement of folic acid, which reduces the risk of spina bifida, should be taken for several weeks before conception and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and that tests for rubella immunity should be done well in advance of any pregnancy as well.

You will also receive advice from you doctor on avoiding infections such as toxoplasmosis from household pets, which are known to damage the foetus in early pregnancy.  You should ask you doctor to test for antibodies before you become pregnant and then avoid any contact with cat litter.  Since the infection is passed through animal excrement you should wear gloves when gardening and make sure that home-grown root vegetables are properly peeled.

Planning a baby involves giving up any bad habits such as alcohol and smoking well in advance of any pregnancy – and this applies to both partners.  While it is widely known that alcohol crosses the placenta and travels through the baby’s bloodstream, there is research indicating that alcohol consumption at the time of conception can lead to abnormalities and that it has implications for the health of sperm as well.

Mothers who smoke are more likely to have underweight babies, higher rates of miscarriage and babies with some kind of abnormality. In fathers smoking affects the production and quality of sperm.

If you have been taking the contraceptive pill or using an intra-uterine device (I.U.D.) your doctor will probably advise you to use some other kind of contraceptive for three or four months before you try to conceive.  Using the pill lowers the body’s level of zinc, manganese, and Vitamin A and raises its copper levels. The I.U.D. similarly raises copper levels and lowers the amount of manganese and selenium.  Your monthly cycle may also be irregular when you first come off the pill. Using some other kind of contraceptive helps your system settle down first.

THE HALE APPROACH

The necessary care prior to conception is not a disease process and therefore a physician’s involvement is not required.  Complementary practitioners will probably be better versed in nutritional and supplementary care and will be able to offer advice on preparation for pregnancy.  A visit to such a practitioner can be contemplated without medical care or concern.

The Hale Clinic sees complementary medicine as fulfilling a very important role in pre-conceptual care – by which we mean both parents being involved in improving their health so that the ovum and sperm produced are of the highest possible quality.  A nutritionist will advise on the correct diet, vitamins, and minerals, and also try to remove any allergies that may be passed on to the baby.

Monitoring the patients’ digestive, eliminative and hormonal systems to ensure optimum function is also important.  For example, if the mother is not absorbing her food properly, it will have a direct effect on the development of the embryo and correcting digestive function takes time.  The reduction of toxicity in the body is especially important.  Research in Denmark has shown that men consuming an “average” diet of foods containing additives and grown with chemical pesticides have a sperm count 50 percent lower than that of organic farmers.  If the hormones of either partner are not functioning properly, this will affect the ovum or sperm

Homeopathy combined with nutritional advice will address the above issues by building up the parents’ general constitution.  Osteopathy can also make a positive contribution to general health, as well as correcting any back problems – particularly important for a woman before she conceives.

Aromatherapy, reflexology, Shiatsu, and light therapy are Supportive Treatments that will further enhance the health of the parents-to-be and their future child.

NUTRITION

Nutrition therapy can be very effective in treating chronic conditions like asthma, eczema, and migraine that can sometimes be passed on to children. The cause may be a food allergy, a vitamin or mineral deficiency, or a problem with malabsorption, all of which can be treated by eliminating certain foods from the diet or taking supplements.  “It’s important to detect and treat allergies well before pregnancy”, says one nutritional therapist.  “It improves general health, and reduces the likelihood of the baby developing an allergic condition if the mother is eating food to which she is allergic during pregnancy or while breastfeeding (nursing)”.

The initial diet may be quite restrictive until the problem is resolved. Then a maintenance diet will be suggested to keep the condition under control.

It is also important to establish adequate levels of essential minerals and vitamins well before pregnancy.  Shortage of these can cause problems with conception and premature birth.  Use of the pill or I.U.D. and a poor diet high in sugar or refined carbohydrates can cause deficiencies of zinc, chromium, manganese, and magnesium.

Nutritional therapy can involve hair, blood and sweat analyses, followed by a supplement program.  More about nutrition...

AYURVEDA/ACUPUNCTURE

Given its holistic approach, Ayurveda is an excellent therapy for building up the constitution of both parents-to-be.  The treatment would be based on the needs of the individual, but might include panchakarma (detoxification) and/or herbal massage to relieve stress; it would certainly involve advice on diet and exercise.  Acupuncture would be recommended if fertility problems were suspected in either partner.  Ayurveda tonics and special preparations may be taken orally during this period to aid conception and prevent miscarriage later. More about ayurveda...  More about acupuncture...

OSTEOPATHY

“It’s a big mistake to see osteopathy just as a way of dealing with bad backs”, says one osteopath.  “It has an important role to play in helping people achieve optimal health, which is vital if you are planning a pregnancy”.  The principle of osteopathy is that dysfunction in the structure of the body affects the homeostasis of all the vital organs.  “Stress is a major cause of the dysfunction.  Therapy can take pressure off the nervous system to restore balance to the body and improve blood circulation and lymphatic drainage”.  More about osteopathy...

REFLEXOLOGY

“Reflexology is an ideal general therapy for anyone who wants to make a positive effort to reduce the effect of stress on their body”, says one reflexologist.  “It’s a very pleasant, relaxing treatment and a very effective way of eliminating toxins, which is important if you are planning to get pregnant”.  Anyone who is giving up alcohol or smoking, or who has taken antibiotic or other drug treatment in the past will find that reflexology is a powerful detoxifying therapy.

Reflexology can help balance the hormone levels in the body if you suffer from pre-menstrual syndrome or erratic periods, which may affect your fertility.  Four or five fortnightly treatments are recommended.  More about reflexology...

HOMEOPATHY

A constitutional remedy can improve general levels of health for both partners.

Other chronic conditions may be treated homoeopathically, reducing the dependence on drugs for sufferers.  Your practitioner will also give you advice on vitamin and mineral supplements and diet. More about homeopathy...

SUPPORTIVE TREATMENTS

Maya Abdominal Massage

A non-invasive massage technique that specialises in treating gynaecological and digestive conditions.  It improves organ function by relieving congestion, enhancing blood supply; increasing lymphatic drainage and aiding nerve supply to the pelvic and reproductive organs. Further Details

Shiatsu

Shiatsu works to eliminate toxins from the body before conception.  This may also help to reduce morning sickness later on.

Aromatherapy

Massage with essential oils can help eliminate toxins from the body.  Suitable oils include rosemary, juniper and lemon.  Massage and the use of acupressure also help to alleviate stress and its effects on hormone production.  Deep relaxation and rebalancing of the body’s energies produce a positive environment for conception.

SELF-CARE

The optimum diet is to vary food by choosing each day from the main four food groups – cereals, dairy products, vegetables and fruits, and proteins.  As far as possible food should be organically produced.  Intake of refined carbohydrates, sugar, tea, coffee, and saturated fats should be kept to a minimum.

The effects of stress on the hormonal system may be reduced with the use of aromatherapy oils.