Fertility & Pregnancy
Are you starting to think about trying for a baby? Maybe you have been exercising and reducing alcohol but are wondering what else you could be doing to optimise the health of your eggs?
While many women jump straight into trying, there is wisdom in dedicating at least three months to nourishing your body with the right foods. Why? Research shows it takes approximately 12 weeks for the follicles on your ovaries to develop before one is mature enough to release an egg at ovulation. So, although you can’t change the number of eggs you have, you can change their quality through a healthy diet.
Here are some common questions I get asked:
- Should I take Elevit?
- What about pre-pregnancy blood tests?
- What are the best pre-pregnancy foods?
- I have gestational diabetes, can you help with this?
Should I take Elevit?
In short, no. This supplement uses folic acid which is not bioavailable and must be converted to a different form before the human body can use it. Considering how vital this vitamin is to help prevent neural tube defects it is far better to take folinic acid or methyl folate which readily converts to active folate in the body. Elevit is also missing key ingredients like choline, K2 and DHA vital for baby’s brain and bone development.
Should I have pre-pregnancy blood tests?
Yes it is advisable to assess levels of key nutrients pre pregnancy and to screen for any infections which might impact your chances of conceiving or growing a healthy baby. However unless you have been trying for over one year there is no need to do detailed fertility testing. Women may be concerned by a low Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) result.This hormone is thought to be predictive of fertility because it is produced by cells in the egg-bearing follicles of ovaries. However fertility is far more dependent on the quality of eggs rather than the quantity. A recent study showed that 79% of those with low AMH levels of it went on to give birth. This was actually higher than the 71% of mothers with normal levels*.
What are the best pre-pregnancy foods?
Organic, wholefoods, lots of fresh vegetables and fruit, plenty of protein and healthy fats! Here are my 5 Favourite Fertility Foods:
Liver – Try liver pate crackers instead of peanut butter! Liver is known as mother nature’s multivitamin. It contains vitamin C, folate, iron, Co- Q 10, and important fat-soluble vitamins like A, K2 which have been shown to play vital roles in male and female reproductive health.
Organic Vegetables – Did you know that some fruit and veggies have been sprayed 10 times before they reach the shops? Pesticides are toxic and can interfere with both hormonal health in men and women.
Bone broth – when you’ve brought home your organic veggies, try making a warming soup with organic bone broth. This is rich in glycine, which is conditionally essential in pregnancy, and helps support the growth of your babies’ skeleton, teeth and organs.
Seafood – Look for fish high in omega 3 and low in mercury – these include wild salmon, mackerel, sardines. Omega-3s have been found to aid fertility by reducing inflammation and boosting ovulation.
Butter – Especially from Grass-fed cows as it’s rich in K2, which has been shown to benefit PCOS, low sperm count and is really essential for prenatal health.
I have Gestational Diabetes, can you help?
Hearing the news that you have gestational diabetes can be a real shock; and the conflicting advice around it can be overwhelming. But I am here to support you! Research shows that mums who can bring their blood sugar levels down to normal have no higher risk of complications than women without the diagnosis. I help women to do this through individualised nutrition support and targeted supplements.
Work with Laura
If you’d like to discuss how Laura can support you in diet, wellbeing and lifestyle, book a consult today.
Work with Laura
If you’d like to discuss how Laura can support you in diet, wellbeing and lifestyle, book a consult today.
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