what is preconception care?
• It is a program for BOTH prospective parents aimed at
o increasing the likelihood of conception,
o improving your pregnancy outcomes and
o optimizing the health of your baby.
•
The focus is on restoring optimum health and, in the case of
infertility, to address and remedy the causes of your problem rather
than just override it.
• The basis of preconception care is to
ensure an adequate supply (through diet, lifestyle &
supplementation) of all essential nutritional factors known to be vital
for the health of your sperm and ova and for optimum development for
your baby.
• Through a preconception health care program you
reduce exposure (through lifestyle & environmental changes, &
detoxification) to those factors known to compromise your health in
general and are harmful to sperm, ova and your baby’s development
•
Optimum preconception health care begins at least four months prior to
your intended conception to ensure the health of your sperm and ova.
Sperm & ova take 100 -116 days to generate and mature.
• This is achieved through the use of
o natural medicines such as nutritional supplements and individualized herbal formulations,
o education regarding dietary and lifestyle changes, detoxification, stress management
o cycle charting (for hormonal & nutritional status) and timing techniques
o testing to diagnose for heavy metal toxicity & zinc deficiency
o preconception medical screening for infection or other problems carried out by your doctor