Fertility, Herbal Medicine and You,

With the support of your qualified natural health practitioner and herbal medicine, you can look forward to:

• a normal, full-term pregnancy
• a short and straightforward labour, and
• an enjoyable breastfeeding experience.

When planning conception, you need to know the timing of your ovulation,since the length of your pre- and post-ovulatory phases are as important as the length of your cycle. The best guide to ovulation and progesterone levels is by taking basal temperature readings, and your natural health practitioner can give you guidance in this procedure.

• 1 in 6 couples are infertile
• 1 in 5 pregnancies now ends in miscarriage
• 1 in 10 pregnancies now ends in premature birth or "small for dates" babies.
• 1 in 30 babies are born with congenital defects (despite apparent improvements in diagnostic techniques).

Some women experience uterine dysfunction such as fibroids, endometriosis or poor circulation to the placenta. Herbal medicine can greatly help in the treatment of these conditions; and also to address a dysfunctional immune response, which may threaten a pregnancy when the woman's body treats the embryo as an invading pathogen.

Timing of Intercourse for Conception

It is best if intercourse can be timed to coincide with the day before ovulation (usually mucus peak), which will allow the first swarm of healthy sperm to reach the egg just as it is released. This timing accounts for sperm life (3-5 days) and egg life (12-24 hours), ensuring that fertilization takes place before the less healthy, slower sperm catch up. Fresh sperm and eggs are also less likely to result in miscarriage. Although sperm live for 3 to 5 days, after 3 days enough will have died to. lower the sperm count below viable levels. For this reason, 3 to 5 days of abstinence before conception will ensure a high count and fertilization by fresh sperm.

PREVENTION OF MISCARRIAGE & POOR FOETAL HEALTH

Nutrition: Studies link many nutritional deficiencies with miscarriage and poor foetal health. And in 1970 a study showed that good nutrition before and during pregnancy could avoid some chromosomal defects. But rather than single nutrients in isolation, you need a balanced intake of nutrients. Remember that organic foods are a fantastic source of toxin-free nutrients.

Fatigue: It is important to address fatigue, as it can adversely affect hormonal and nutritional status.

Thyroid: Thyroid dysfunction can lead to miscarriage. An under-functioning thyroid can cause inadequate sex hormone levels and relative oestrogen excess; and the low temperatures associated with hypothyroidism may inhibit cell division. Blood tests are unreliable, but if there is a possibility of hypothyroidism, herbal medicine may be able to help prevent miscarriage by using circulatory stimulants to raise basal temperature.

But the good news is that infertility, miscarriage and foetal abnormality are not always just "one of those things", and are often preventable. Your naturopath and medical herbalist can do a great deal to help you achieve healthy conception, pregnancy and birth. The first step towards a healthy conception is to pay careful attention to the many factors which are amenable to treatment and lifestyle changes. One of these is emotional stress, and although the links between stress and infertility or miscarriage are unclear, positive preparation can playa big part in diminishing your feelings of stress.

PRE-CONCEPTION HEALTH CARE

Pre-conception health care is essential for both parents. Herbal medicine can play an invaluable role here, especially where the infertility has no pathological cause.

When should you start treatment?

Human sperm take 116 days to form, and eggs take 100 days to mature. In order to give them the best chance to be of the highest quality, every elimination channel in the parents' bodies needs to be restored, cleansed and balanced. It is best that these preventative and curative measures be in place at least four months prior to conception. Therefore, about seven months before conception is planned, it is recommended that both prospective parents undergo a 3-month "detox" programme. This gentle but effective programme targets the lymphatic, digestive, urinary, respiratory and reproductive systems.

Father-to-be

It is very important to treat the male partner before conception. Half of all cases of infertility are due to sperm abnormalities, and research also suggests that sperm counts worldwide have decreased by 50% in the last 5 years. Sperm are smaller than eggs and constantly being produced, so they are more vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies, toxicity, radiation and infection - an important consideration since men tend to be more frequently in occupations which expose them to heavy metals and toxic chemicals.

MISCARRIAGE

Mother-to-be

Proper ovarian function is essential for optimum egg health, and there is a great deal that natural health care can do for pre-conception care of the female partner. First, her menstrual cycle needs to be functioning in a balanced way. Should there be amenorrhoea (absence of a period), herbal medicine and nutritional measures can greatly assist in the re-establishment of a regular menstrual cycle.

Medical attention is required in the following conditions:

• Severe pain or uterine tenderness
• Enough bleeding to soak 2 large sanitary pads in half hour
• Dizziness, fainting, elevated temperature
• Foul smelling discharge.

CONSULTATIONS DURING PREGNANCY

Many common conditions of pregnancy can be supported with herbal medicine, including:

• Morning sickness and hyperemesis . Anaemia
• Constipation
• Haemorrhoids and varicose veins
• Gestational diabetes
• Preparation for childbirth. Assisting with labour.

In a normal, healthy pregnancy, one consultation each trimester is usual as a general check-up.

Safety During Pregnancy:
Although in general it is safe to prescribe herbs in pregnancy, this is only to be done if they are necessary. All medication should especially be kept to a minimum in the first 3 months of pregnancy, although it is quite acceptable to judiciously use herbs to treat morning sickness and threatened miscarriage during this period.

THE BIRTH

Herbal medicines are able to provide for a better birth and post~birth experience with:

• a short and straightforward labour
• strong and effective contraction
• the perineum more inclined to stretch
• quick recovery from tearing
• enhanced bonding
• reduced need for drugs, surgery, intervention
• reduced likelihood of breech birth, post-partum haemorrhage, postnatal depression.

BREASTFEEDING

Everyone knows breast is best for mother and baby but sometimes, through no fault of her own a new mother may have problems with breastfeeding. With care and support these problems can be overcome.

When you breastfeed, your baby is taking as many nutrients as he or she needs from you. If your body is deficient in certain nutrients, continuing with breastfeeding may lead to deficiency states in yourself and your baby. This may be easily reversed with the help of herbal medicine. With care and patience, Joanne will devise a course of support and treatment individual to you and your needs. Drawing on the properties of "galactagogue" herbs, Joanne can help to:

• increase/decrease milk supply
• reduce incidence and symptoms of mastitis
• reduce the symptoms of postnatal depression
• reduce incidence of fatigue
• relieve and heal sore and cracked nipples.