How to Have a Healthy Baby
When you decide that you would like to have a baby, you probably don’t think of all the things that can go wrong or that you may have problems falling pregnant. With more and more couples experiencing infertility-related issues, it’s time that more information is shared in how to ensure that your desire for a healthy baby can be realised.
Knowing that you CAN improve fertility and pregnancy outcomes is empowering and may alleviate a lot of the stress associated with ‘trying’ and not conceiving, or even undertaking IVF intervention.
IVF brings with it a lot of challenges often not anticipated – the physical stress placed on the woman’s body with the hormone therapy and egg harvesting, as well as the additional emotional stress when things don’t happen as hoped.
Dr Dawn Kingston shared her insights in Natural Parenting Magazine regarding the impact of stress on couples undergoing infertility treatment.
“We find that when couples begin their journey of infertility treatment, there is a sense of apprehension, but underlying that uncertainty is a sense of hope. The big step has been taken, the decision to move into treatment made, the frustration of past months put on hold and a new path embarked upon.
But if pregnancy isn’t forthcoming, the familiar strain begins again. Only now, it’s coupled with a sense of stress, anxiety, and at times, loss of hope.
Almost all couples experience:
High levels of stress and anxiety Rollercoaster emotions – up and down journeys of hope and despair with every monthly cycle Less life enjoyment Less life satisfaction – at work, home, and in relationships Relationship strain (e.g., more frequent arguments, irritability) Inability to support and console one another Hesitancy to reach out to family and friends for support for fear they won’t understand and the embarrassment of revealing their challenges…leading to a sense of isolation Fear and worry about whether a pregnancy will occur before the financial resources run out “
It has long been said that prevention is better than treatment and the same applies to having a baby. In this case, preparation is the key.
Under the supervision of a qualified naturopath with experience in fertility, your dream of conceiving and having a good pregnancy culminating in the birth of a healthy baby can become a reality.
The fundamentals of good preparation include:
· Full health check of both partners, including fertility markers but also checking for heavy metal toxicity, oral health, and perhaps even a DNA test
· Addressing any health or toxin issues
· Good nutrition and lifestyle choices
· Conscious pregnancy – understanding that everything you do and experience has an impact on your unborn baby
You can read more about how to have a healthy baby in my book.
