Preconception Care

Are you planning a family? Then you and your partner want to be in the best of health. A preconception care approach to the good health of both partners PRIOR to conception can help in avoiding many problems relating to conception, pregnancy, birth and the health of the newborn baby. The idea of 'preconception care' - or rather the attention to the health and lifestyle of both prospective parents before they conceive a child has its roots far back in history. Many traditional or tribal societies fed special diets to their young women (and frequently to the young men) of childbearing age. Farmers and animal breeders also practice preconception care by bringing together their most healthy, hardiest stock and so ensuring the outcome of healthy, vibrant offspring.

When looking at preconception care the focus is on

• Improving nutrition
• Combating pollution
• Treating allergies, eliminating candida
• Treating malabsorption of nutrients
• Treating genitourinary infections
• Discouraging the use of common social poisons e.g. cigarettes, alcohol and drugs
• Lifestyle advice and the benefits of healthy body weight before pregnancy

Nutrition

It is essential that both prospective parents eat an excellent diet for at least four months before conception. We advise filtering the drinking water to avoid toxic metals, chlorine and any microbacteria.

Alcohol, Tobacco and Street Drugs

Both partners are fully informed of the dangers of smoking, drinking alcohol and taking street drugs to the health and development of the sperm and ova, and to the future foetus. Both partners are advised to abstain for at least four months prior to conception.

The Oral Contraceptive Pill, and other exogenous hormones

Where the woman has been using the contraceptive pill or the copper IUD, the effects on nutritional status are explained. The pill lowers zinc, manganese, vitamin A and the B-complex vitamins. Natural Family Planning by fertility awareness, with the use of barriers in the fertile phase, is suggested as the method of choice during the preconception care program. The woman is shown how to chart her menstrual cycle charting as part of the first consultation.

Genitourinary and Other Infections

It is advisable that both partners are checked for any dormant genito-urinary or other infections during their preconception program.

Many people may be more familiar with the term sexually transmitted disease (STD) than genito-urinary infection however we prefer referring to these infections as those of the genito-urinary type. This name not only avoids the stigma of the more familiar name, but is in fact more correct, as not all of the infections listed above are sexually transmitted, and many of them may be present (with or without symptoms) in couples who are in a stable, long-term relationship with no history of extra-marital or extra-partnership affairs. In a recent survey of both partners in a London clinic, 69% were found to have at least one of the conditions listed above. In another survey 81% of the women were found to have one or more conditions. These can often be a symptomless infection that will only be activated by the hormonal stimulation of pregnancy. Untreated, the conditions can lead to infertility, miscarriages, or to premature and sickly babies.

Allergies and Parasites

This may include asthma, eczema, migraine, insomnia, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, coeliac disease or parasitic infestations such as giardia lamblia. Where parasites are eliminated the absorption of essential nutrients will be much improved. As any medication used to eradicate gut parasitic infection can cause major changes in bowel habits and digestive function, it is best to have dealt with the infection during the preconception care phase.

Back to top

Contact Information

Please call for an appointment. We are available most days including most weekends. After hours and public holiday appointments are also welcome.

Address:

30 Indra Road, Tascott NSW 2250 

Telephone:

to contact Jo-Anne Barron call 0419 977 529

to contact Goran Barron call 0419 251 315

- you may encounter the answering machine, so please leave a message and your call will be returned within 24 hours

EMail:

Click here for links to further information and associated websites.

Site Map

Back to top