This is a relatively new concept that involves both partners getting themselves, their eggs and sperm as healthy as possible in preparation of making the best baby they can!

How long does preconception care take?
A minimum of 4 months is needed prior to an intended conception to allow sufficient time to prepare. More time is needed if either partner has existing health concerns or requires detoxification. The reason for a 4 month minimum preparation period is that; while women are born with their eggs, it takes each egg 120 days to mature before being released at ovulation? It is during this stage that the egg is susceptible to damage?   Males sperm takes approximately 80 days to develop and reach maturation and be ready for ejaculation. They too are susceptible to damage over this time period.   Once conception has occurred, the period until the pregnancy is confirmed determines many of the processes that can result in anomalies to the foetus. So it is critical that attempts to become healthy occur before any of these stages.

Preconception care has two sides to it.
1. Ensuring there is a sufficient provision of all the essential nutritional factors to ensure the health of the sperm, ova and foetus.
2. Eliminating the factors that can negatively impact on the development of the foetus.

So what is involved
To address both sides of a preconception plan you and your partner will be guided through the following. An individualised plan is created to assist each couple to prepare for starting their family.

Natural remedies
Natural remedies, herbs and functional foods are used to treat existing health problems. It is best to address these issues as early as possible.

Environmental toxins
Alcohol, caffeine, smoking, recreational drugs.
Environmental toxins that disrupt the endocrine system
Heavy metal toxicity
Detoxification
EMF exposure

Nutrition
Learn to eat nutrient dense foods
Tailored supplement plan
Dietary guidelines to enhance fertility

Charting for fertility
Learning to understand your own cycle by charting will enable you and your partner to plan for conception at you most fertile time.

Testing
It is essential to screen for causes that can prevent healthy conception. Testing for heavy metals, genito-urinary infections, and other preconception pathology tests.

Outcomes
For couples who seek preconception care they are often focussed on conceiving a child. Preconception benefits also extend to having a healthy pregnancy and birth and a happy baby making for a positive post natal period.
Both partners also know they played a positive role and did everything they possibly could to make the best baby they could and give their child the best opportunity to achieve his or her greatness in their life.

See other posts on the  Foresight preconception programme research results

If you have further questions email health@melforrest.co.nz