fertility

Natural Fertility SheffieldIntroducing the Foresight Pre-conception Care Programme

Who would benefit? ….

Potential parents with fertility problems

Potential parents receiving assisted conception

Potential parents wishing to optimise the health of mother and baby.

Why is pre-conception nutrition so important? ….

One in 6 couples in the UK have a fertility problem and it is steadily increasing. Simple changes to your diet may be what makes the difference in not only helping you conceive but also having an enjoyable pregnancy and a healthy baby. Pre conception advice from a doctor will probably consist of telling you to avoid smoking and alcohol (quite right too!), keep trying and come back if not successful in conceiving; IVF or similar may be their next recommendation.

It takes approximately 5 months for eggs and 3.5 months for sperm to mature before being ready for release. It is therefore sensible to start a pre-conception plan at least 4, ideally 6 months before trying to conceive. The right nutrition and lifestyle changes not only help natural conception, but also enhance success rates in those cases where assisted conception is the only alternative.

The Foresight Pre-conception Programme ….

The Foresight Programme can help you overcome subfertility or infertility and, at the same time, improve your own health.

As a Foresight Practitioner, I advise on the best way to optimise your chances of conceiving naturally, without invasive treatment or drugs. This service for both male and female fertility is unfortunately not available through the NHS, only through a network of Foresight Practitioners.

The pre-pregnancy preparation for both prospective parents is recommended for a minimum period of four months before an intended conception. Some issues a couple can address for themselves, others will require help from a trained practitioner, and include …..

* Screening for essential trace elements (e.g. Zinc and iron) and toxic metals (e.g. Lead and cadmium)
* Avoiding everyday environmental hazards
* Treating food and chemical allergies
* Treating infection, especially of genitourinary type
* Improving nutrition
* Using natural therapies to assist normal reproductive functioning and to address any other health problems
* Using natural family planning (avoiding oral contraceptives, UIDs)
* Discouraging uses of common social poisons (e.g. cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs including caffeine).

The results ….

are amazing! With attention to all of the above, it should be possible to have a stress free and healthy pregnancy, followed by an easy labour without intervention or drugs, a successful breastfeeding relationship or gentle weaning on to a whole food diet, and of course an exceptionally healthy, happy and bright child who will be a joy to care for and who will have an excellent chance of realising her/his full genetic potential.

Visit www.naturalfertilitysheffield.co.uk for support on preconception, pregnancy and birth programmes.

University of Surrey Study Foresight Audit 2002 – 2009

1,568 couples took part in the full programme:

  • 1,122 babies born (81.9% success rate)
  • 4 miscarriages
  • Average birth weight across both groups 7lb 7.5oz

518 couples completed part of the programme:

  • 358 babies born (63.7% success rate)
  • 39 miscarriages
  • Average birth weight across both groups 7lb 7.5oz

Assisted conception statistics at time of audit:

  • 2,383 failed IUI (success 162) (1 in 15.7 or 6.3%)
  •  3,004 failed IVF (success 407) (1 in 8.4 or 11.4%)
  • 1,081 failed ICSI (success 211) (1 in 5 or 16.5%)