Preconception & Fertility
Preparing your body for pregnancy with personalised, evidence-informed Naturopathic care. Whether you're trying to conceive naturally, preparing for IVF, experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss, or simply wanting to optimise your health before pregnancy, I take a whole-person approach to support your fertility journey.
I Commonly Support Couples:
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Wanting to optimise their health before trying to conceive
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Looking to give their future baby the healthiest possible start in life
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Wanting to reduce the risk of modifiable pregnancy complications through nutrition and lifestyle changes
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Experiencing difficulty conceiving
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IVF preparation
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Recurrent miscarriage
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Irregular ovulation
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Concerned about egg quality or ovarian reserve
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Managing PCOS (PMOS), Endometriosis or thyroid dysfunction
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Male factor fertility concerns (including sperm count, motility, morphology and DNA integrity)
The Often Overlooked Side of Fertility
Many people are surprised to learn that male factors contribute to approximately 40-50% of cases where couples experience difficulty conceiving.
Sperm health plays an important role not only in fertilisation, but also in embryo development, implantation and healthy pregnancy outcomes.
Even when a male partner feels healthy, factors such as lifestyle, nutrient status and environmental exposures can influence sperm quality.
Areas we commonly consider include:
✓ Sperm count
✓ Motility (movement)
✓ Morphology (shape)
✓ DNA integrity
✓ Oxidative stress
✓ Nutrient status
✓ Lifestyle factors
✓ Environmental exposures
✓ Sleep quality
✓ Stress and nervous system health
✓ Metabolic health
Whenever possible, I encourage fertility to be approached as a shared journey, with both partners supported to optimise their health prior to conception.
Why Are Fertility Challenges Becoming More Common?
Fertility is complex and influenced by many factors. While some contributors cannot be modified, there are often opportunities to optimise health before conception.
Potential contributing factors may include:
Environmental Exposures
Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) found in plastics, pesticides, personal care products and other environmental sources may influence reproductive hormone signalling.
Modern Stressors
Many of us are exposed to a constant stream of information, notifications and stimulation from the moment we wake until we go to bed. Combined with poor sleep and busy lifestyles, this can impact nervous system regulation, stress resilience and reproductive hormone function.
Nutrition and Metabolic Health
Nutritional deficiencies, insulin resistance, poor dietary patterns and inflammation may all influence reproductive health.
Lifestyle Factors
Sleep quality, exercise habits, smoking, alcohol intake, body composition and exposure to environmental toxins can influence both egg and sperm health.
Underlying Health Conditions
Conditions such as thyroid dysfunction, PCOS (PMOS), Endometriosis, insulin resistance and certain infections can impact fertility.
Understanding Fertility
Fertility depends on much more than reproductive hormones. Conception requires a number of processes to work together, including:
✓ Healthy egg development
✓ Ovulation
✓ Sperm quality
✓ Adequate cervical mucus
✓ Tubal patency
✓ Hormonal communication
✓ Endometrial receptivity
✓ Implantation
✓ Early placental development
Factors We'll Assess Include:
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Nutrient status - Including Iron, Vitamin D, B12, Folate, Selenium, Zinc
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Thyroid function
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Blood sugar regulation
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Inflammation
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Sleep
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Nervous system function
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Gut health
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Environmental exposures
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Lifestyle factors
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Weight and metabolic health
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Circadian rhythm alignment
The 3 Month Window
Why I Recommend Starting Minimum Three Months Before Trying To Conceive:
Egg maturation begins approximately 90 - 100 days before ovulation, and sperm development takes approximately 70 - 90 days. This means the months leading up to conception provide a crucial opportunity to focus on nutrition, lifestyle and stress resilience to support the health of your future baby and reduce the risk of pregnancy complications.
The Treatment Approach
Supporting mitochondrial health
Optimising nutrient status
Supporting hormone balance
Improving insulin sensitivity
Addressing digestive concerns
Reducing oxidative stress
Supporting sleep and circadian rhythm
Nervous system regulation
Ovulation Tracking & Cycle Assessment
Fascia and Blood Flow
Collaborative care with fertility specialists if needed
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need to get expensive testing done?
Not necessarily. We can often get Pathology Testing completed through your GP and additional testing is only recommended where it is likely to provide meaningful information and support clinical decision-making.
Should my partner also be assessed?
Yes definitely. Fertility is a shared journey, and male factors contribute to a significant proportion of difficulties conceiving. Supporting sperm health, nutrient status, lifestyle factors and overall wellbeing is an important part of preparing for pregnancy.
How long should I work on my health before trying to conceive?
It is best to allow at least three months. Egg maturation occurs over approximately 90-100 days prior to ovulation, while sperm development takes around 70-90 days. This timeframe provides an opportunity to optimise nutrition, lifestyle habits, sleep, stress resilience and overall health before conception or fertility treatment.
We aren't planning to conceive for another 6-12 months. Is it too early to start preparing?
Not at all. In fact, this can be an ideal time to focus on preconception health. The months leading up to conception provide an opportunity to address nutrient deficiencies, establish sustainable lifestyle habits, support hormone balance, optimise metabolic health and reduce exposure to environmental factors that may impact reproductive health. Many couples find that taking a proactive approach allows them to feel more informed, empowered and prepared when the time comes to start trying for a baby.
Can I still work with you if I'm already undergoing IVF treatment?
Absolutely. My role is to complement your existing medical care by supporting egg and sperm quality, nervous system balance, and and creating an optimal uterine environment for conception and early pregnancy, while helping you feel informed, empowered and supported throughout the process.
I've been told all my tests are normal. Can we still work together?
Yes - Standard fertility investigations provide valuable information, but they don't always explain why conception isn't occurring or why you may not be feeling your best. I take a broader view of health, exploring factors such as nutrition, sleep, stress resilience, digestive function, metabolic health, inflammation, environmental exposures and cycle patterns to identify opportunities for optimisation.
I'm 40+ and worried about my age. Is it too late to make meaningful changes?
Supporting nutrient status, mitochondrial health, blood sugar regulation, sleep, stress resilience and overall wellbeing may help optimise the environment for conception and pregnancy at any age. Although we cannot change chronological age, we can focus on factors that are within your control so you can feel confident that you have taken a proactive and supportive approach to your fertility journey.