Fertility and pregnancy

Balanced nutrition is vital pre, during and post pregnancy. Simple changes to your diet can help ensure that both mother and baby stay healthy. Working with a qualified Nutritional therapist you can safely enhance your body's ability to cope with the changes, allowing you to enjoy being pregnant and becoming a mother.

Pre pregnancy In the run up to becoming pregnant it is advised to boost your diet with key nutrients and supplements that both improve fertility and give you and your baby the best start. Ideally a plan should be followed for 3-6 months. Changes in diet and lifestyle are not just for women but also for men. Around 25% of fertility problems can be associated with men, it is important to eat the right foods and take supplements to enhance the quality and quantity of fertile sperm.

Pregnancy During pregnancy itself your body will be under more strain than usual and will be requiring more nutrients than normal to allow your foetus to grow and develop into a healthy baby. You are laying the foundations for the health of you and your child so this time it is very important to feed your body and mind in the right way. Nutrition can help relieve and avoid constipation, digestive complaints, stretch marks, varicose veins, anaemia and other symptoms that are often associated with pregnancy.

Post pregnancy and breastfeeding After the birth your body needs to adjust once more whilst also continuing to feed your baby. Nature has a way of prioritising the baby when it comes to high value nutrients so you will need to top up on certain things like essential fats and pure water. The baby gets it’s immunity from you so taking a probiotic can be very helpful during breastfeeding and if your baby was delivered through caesarean you may consider giving these directly to your baby, you must seek advice from a qualified Nutritionist before you do any of this. During breastfeeding you will also need to drink extra water because your baby will be taking some away in the breast milk. Nutrition will being some support to other related conditions like post natal depression. Nutrition will continue to play a vital role in your childs health and development.

For advice or a personal programme please contact me to make an appointment.