NATURAL FERTILITY & REPRODUCTIVE CARE
We support Pre-conceptual, Pregnancy and Post-Natal Care
Our Natural Fertility & Reproductive Care program includes:
- preconception health care for healthy conception, pregnancy and birth
- natural treatments for fertility disturbances (male and female)
- natural treatments for pregnancy and breastfeeding complaints (which do not require urgent medical attention)
- natural treatments for male and female reproductive health
Natural Fertility & Reproductive Care methods (based on findings of Foresight and Natural Fertility Management) provide families with holistic, well-researched, safe and effective solutions during all stages of reproductive healthcare.
CONCEPTION: THE NATURAL WAY...
Are you planning a family? It just makes sense for you and your partner to be in the best of health. Our research has investigated an impressive success rate by natural conception of up to 81%. This compares with the maximum 25% success rate of IVF (Foresight studies), even lower in older couples, and less than 8% full-term pregnancies. Please refer to our section on assisted reproductive technologies.
The principles contained in the Fertility Program were analysed in a UK study by the British Association for the Promotion of Health Care of 367 couples, 59% with prior fertility problems. Those on the program showed that 81% of "infertile" couples conceived, with no miscarriages, perinatal deaths, malformations, or newborn admissions to intensive care. This group followed a regime similar to that proposed here and included diet and lifestyle modification with nutrient and herb supplements.
This is a dramatic decrease on the rate in the general population of 20% miscarriages and 2% malformations.
Couples who would benefit from our Program:
- Normal healthy, fertile couples who want healthy babies.;
- Couples who have infertility or sub-fertility, with or without known cause, including problems with sperm count/motility, anovulation, hormonal disturbances etc.;
- Couples with history of malformation, prematurity, miscarriages, spontaneous abortions, low birth weight, stillbirth or sudden infant death syndrome;
- Couples seeking preconception advice for IVF, GIFT and IUI, and who are hoping to maximise their chances of success (please see the section “Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Our Program” below for more information);
- Older couples including women over 40 years to improve mitochondria quality and function in the embryo, especially to help prevent Down's syndrome;
- Males with sperm abnormalities and females with hormonal irregularities;
- Couples who are stressed and emotionally drained;
- Couples requesting ‘natural’ healthy pregnancy support;
- Couples seeking to avoid health problems in early childhood (such as eczema, allergies, asthma, hyperactivity).
The Natural Fertility & Reproductive Health Care program for Conception will help clear long-standing ailments, emotionally and physically preparing the family. The Program also includes recipes and other lifestyle changes that are required for healthy eating.
This program integrates both 5,000 year old traditional principles (of both Ayurveda and Naturopathy) and over 7 years of medical research in areas of preconception, pregnancy and post natal care. It aims at healthy preparation for conception by naturally cleansing and boosting the health of both the female and the male. We have enough trouble dealing with the daily toxic assault of a myriad of unnatural chemicals on our bodies, but a growing foetus is much more sensitive.
It drastically decreases the chance of abnormality and miscarriage, and increases the success of all attempts to conceive - including IVF, and when couples are declared by their doctor to be "infertile".
The Program is based on Clinical Research:
The research conducted in our Program were analysed in a UK study by the British Association for the Promotion of Health Care of 367 couples, 59% with prior fertility problems. Those on the program showed that 81% of "infertile" couples conceived. Of the couples with no history of fertility problems 96% had given birth at the end of the study. This group followed a regime similar to that proposed here and included diet and lifestyle modification with specific nutrient and herb supplements. The programme also has a success rate of 66.2% with those who have male infertility.
This shows the principles we use in the Natural Fertility & Reproductive Care program aids fertility in both ‘fertile’ and ‘infertile’ couples. Of those who conceived, there were no miscarriages, perinatal deaths, malformations, or newborn admissions to intensive care. This is a dramatic decrease on the rate in the general population of 20% miscarriages and 2% malformations.
Our research has investigated that treating both male and female partners is required, as the general quality of sperm has decreased over the last forty years and reflects the nutrient status and physical health of our bodies. This programme can help you overcome sub-fertility or infertility and, whilst boosting your own health.
Foresight is currently completing a larger study with 1,061 couples. Preliminary findings show excellent outcomes, with conception rates of approximately 78% (leading to a healthy baby) within two years of following the program. This study also suggests a more than doubled conception success rate for IVF, following preconception health care.
The University of New England (UNE) is currently conducting a study of 67 patients on the Natural Fertility Management Program, in which we also base our principles. A high proportion of the couples in this study had serious fertility problems, all of them were diagnosed infertile, and 25% of them were over 40yrs. Preliminary results have already shown that 52% of previously infertile couples can conceive within the first four months following their participation in the program.
Can we combine this program with IVF?
If this is the path you have chosen, then we are here to help. At the end of the day, it’s your fertility that matters, and how you chose to get there is your personal choice. We encourage the use of our program as an adjunct to IVF to improve response to IVF drugs and its success rate. See the above second Foresight (pending) preliminary study with IVF. This study suggests a more than doubled conception success rate for IVF, following preconception health care.
Natural Fertility & Reproductive Care booklet - by Ann Vlass N.D., B.Sc (Hons)
This thoroughly researched manual outlines all you need to know about our natural therapy treatments and current research in natural fertility management. This booklet is only offered to clients undertaking our program as it provides additional educational tools.
How to increase your chance of a successful conception:
To increase your chance of having a healthy conception, pregnancy, birth and baby it is necessary to undertake a program of preconception health care at least 4-6 months prior to conception. The chances of a successful outcome are highest if both prospective parents take part in the program and if lifestyle and dietary protocols are followed.
LATEST RESEARCH (2007)
Please read the outline of the recent study below detailing IVF mothers.
Recent University of Melbourne study - links IVF mothers as twice as likely to have a disappointing birthing experience, more anxious and more likely to give up breastfeeding.
Women who conceive using assisted reproductive technology, such as IVF, are more likely to feel anxious and lack confidence in caring for their babies than those who conceive without treatment, according to a recent University of Melbourne study.
In the largest Australian study of mothering after assisted conception, Research Fellow Dr Karin Hammarberg, from the Key Centre for Women’s Health in Society, tracked more than 150 women over the first 18 months of motherhood.
Their experiences of early parenting were compared with data taken from the general population and other surveys of new mothers.
The study found that compared to other women, those who conceived using assisted reproductive technologies were:
- Three times more likely to be admitted to early parenting centres;
- Less likely to be breastfeeding their babies at three months;
- Less confident about their mothering skills;
- More anxious about caring for a new baby;
- Twice as likely to have a caesarean; and
- More likely to be disappointed with their birth experience.
We believe this is because the IVF experience removes the mother-to-be from the natural process of forming a new human being. This affects the formation of the bond between mother and child that is such an important factor in early childhood development, and could explain anxiety and confidence issues as described in this study.
TESTIMONIALS
For testimonials, please click here.
Our Clients Tell Us:
Our annual client satisfaction surveys tell us that women would have chosen Natural Fertility & Reproductive Care as an alternative to artificial hormonal regulation sooner, if it had been offered to them or it had been supported by their medical professionals and a positive public perception of alternative health care.
Our Consultation length:
The consultation normally takes in the region of two hours during which time advice is given on all the above topics. A full medical history is taken. If no physical reason for infertility has been diagnosed it may be beneficial for the couple (one or both) order a full iridology report as this will often provide a clearer understanding for treatment for conception. Separate appointments can be made for this.
Be wary of misleading Fertility treatments:
This is unfortunate but common practice amongst many different types of healthcare practitioners. We have had many disappointed, “ripped-off”, and scarred clients who come to us after elaborate fertility ‘treatments’. Please use common sense when investing in Fertility treatments of any sort. There is no “secret”, or special “one-size-fits-all” infertility formula or herb from the Amazon that will guarantee conception, nor are there any ‘special blood tests’ that requires thousands of dollars for fertility investigation . Misleading or unethical claims such as these are just not true. Each couple is different, and requires unique treatment.
Our Baby Photo Wall:
We ask all our couples who are comfortable to send us photos for our clinic baby wall- to help encourage other couples undergoing treatment and to promote and support Natural Fertility & Reproductive Care.
© Helping Nature Heal 2006, 2007