A pre-conception appointment helps you discover what you can do to optimise your health.

Preconception care includes information on ceasing contraception, falling pregnant, health issues and nutrition.  This is especially helpful for women who are experiencing difficulty in achieving a pregnancy or women who have used oral contraceptives (“The Pill”).

Referrals to other health practitioners such as naturopaths, acupuncturists and  osteopaths may be suggested where appropriate.

The focus is around fertility awareness, nutrition and health, and counselling for stress and related issues.

What is preconception care?

Preconception care helps you to prepare a preconception plan that allows you to explore health and lifestyle issues that may be affecting your health and that of your baby.

I believe healthy people make healthy babies.  Preconception health care helps you to identify the health concerns and other issues that prevent you from being the healthiest you can be.  The healthier you are, the healthier all your cells are - and that includes your eggs and sperm.

The health of a woman at conception and during pregnancy is a strong determinant of the health status of adults and children.  Things such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease can be traced back to the health of the mother before pregnancy.

Preconception health care is individually tailored to meet each couple's needs and may involve:

• Nutritional advice
• Lifestyle changes
• Exercise
• Stress Management
• Practical advice and education
• Advice on medical care that is needed prior to pregnancy
• Advcie on birth options

Who does it benefit?

• Normal healthy, fertile couples who want to give their baby the best possible start to life
• Couples who have infertility
• Couples who have suffered one or more miscarriages
• Couples with a history of malformation, prematurity, low birth weight or stillbirth
• Couples seeking preconception advice for IVF, GIFT and IUI
• Couples who have had a complication in a previous pregnancy
• Couples who are interested in their birth options so that they can better plan for their baby's birth