Our approach to naturopathic fertility care

Naturopathy is very successful in treating many gynaecological disorders that accompany and contribute to infertility, as well as promoting happier and healthier babies.

We offer our very own Three Steps to Healthy Babies program that is a must for parents wanting a natural and healthy pregnancy, birth and baby.

Step 1: Pre-Conception Care

Thinking about getting pregnant but not sure where to start? Then this is the program for you.
Our natural fertility specialist will help you and your partner to prepare for getting pregnant. This is a three to four-month program aimed at promoting detoxification and a healthy mind set to get your body in the best possible shape before you actively try and conceive.

Why Should I Detox Before Getting Pregnant?

Preconception care is one of the most loving and responsible choices you and your partner can make together, not only for you and your child’s health, but also for future generations. Addressing preconception and pregnancy health is the ultimate in preventative medicine. What you do for a few months will have lifelong effects for you and your child.

Your preconception care should ideally begin at least four months prior to the conception attempts. This preparation time is very important as the eggs take three months to mature and sperm take almost four months to generate. This means that the sperm that is being expelled now has been exposed to all the toxins the male has been exposed to over the past four months.

Fertilization with sperm and/or eggs that have had toxic exposure increases the possibility of pregnancy loss and decreases the chances of a healthy baby. Think of it as being in training. Are you going to win a triathlon if you don’t train? Of course not, so why should pregnancy be any different? Detoxing decreases harmful toxins in your system that can damage you and your future child’s DNA.

The Statistics

With one in six couples having difficulty conceiving, modern issues affecting fertility need to be addressed. Our fertility naturopath will discuss these with you to help you achieve your best outcome and course of treatment.
Factors that may affect fertility include:

  • Stress
  • Toxicity
  • Radiation
  • Immune system status
  • Drugs, including caffeine, tobacco and alcohol
  • Previous contraceptive history
  • Genitourinary infections e.g. Chlamydia and Mycoplasma
  • Reproductive conditions such as varicocele, endometriosis and polycystic ovarian disease

Getting to know your menstrual cycle

During this phase of the program you will come to be more connected to your body and its natural rhythms. Charting your menstrual cycle and knowing when you are fertile makes conception much easier in the second phase of the program.

By understanding your body’s rhythms your fertility naturopath can address any underlying conditions such as endometriosis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or hormonal imbalances before you attempt to get pregnant.

Does my partner have to be involved?

As the saying goes, “it takes two to tango”, and it’s no different when it comes to making babies. Your sperm contributes 50% of the DNA towards your child so it makes sense that it is just as important for you to be healthy as it does your partner. Sperm is actually far more vulnerable to damage from chemicals and toxins. It is for this reason that we encourage both of you to take active steps in preparing for conception.

What does phase one of the three step to healthier babies involve?

Good nutrition

  • Eating wholesome, organic healthy foods
  • Avoiding coffee, alcohol, cigarettes and other social drugs
  • Staying properly hydrated
  • Replacing any nutritional deficiencies as determined by your health care practitioner

Healthy Lifestyle

  • Getting enough rest and relaxation
  • Reducing stress levels
  • Balanced exercise

Treating underlying health conditions that may impact fertility

  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
  • Fibroids
  • Endometriosis
  • Sexually Transmitted Infections
  • Stress
  • Thyroid Conditions
  • Nutritional Deficiencies
  • Hormonal Imbalances and more

Diagnostic Testing

  • Hair Mineral Analysis to screen for heavy metal toxicity
  • Electro Interstitial Scanner to screen overall cellular health
  • Saliva Hormone testing to determine hormonal balances
  • Semen Analysis
  • Specific testing as determined by your health care professional

Who Do I See for Step 1?

Shiho Mafune and Lina Capovilla are our fertility naturopaths. They are both fully qualified naturopaths, herbalist and nutritionists, and they keep up to date with the latest research in fertility management and enjoy the satisfaction of helping couples to achieve happy and healthy babies.

Step 2: Conception

For most this is the most exciting part of the program, however for others this can also be the most distressing. In our experience if step one is done properly step two is easier and for the majority fun like it should be.

What if I don’t want to do step one of the program, can I start straight at Step 2?

In most cases the answer is no. Watching people go through the stress, month after month of not being able to become pregnant is heart breaking for everyone involved. We find that by completing Step One, the chance of getting pregnant and not miscarrying is hugely increased, not to mention the benefits that you pass on to your child not just during the pregnancy but also for the rest of their life.

What Is Involved In Step 2?

Healthy lifestyle 

Everything mentioned in step one regarding nutrition, diet and exercise is carried over in step two. This means no alcohol, caffeine, smoking or recreational drugs during this phase and any phase of our program for that matter.

Herbs and nutrition

During this phase your health care practitioner may change your supplements and add or change herbal medicine depending upon your individual needs. You will also receive ongoing support from your fertility naturopath to make sure ovulation and your menstrual cycle is regular. Appointments will be every six weeks to track the progress of your menstrual cycle and fertility.

How long does this phase go for?

This phase is all about conception and goes until you are pregnant. The time for this varies from couple to couple, but because you have completed the first phase the time it takes in getting pregnant versus not doing the program is usually greatly decreased.

Step 3: Supporting the pregnancy

In this stage our primary aim is to support you and your partner to carry your baby to full term, prepare you for birth and encourage, through good health and nutrition, a shorter easier labour, as well as to help you feel happy, confident and in control through every stage of your pregnancy.

What Is Involved In Step 3?

Nutrition and dietary support

You will meet with your fertility specialist monthly during the first trimester then at weeks 14, 26 and 37 during the second and third trimester. Each session is 30 minutes with the primary objective being to make sure you and your baby’s nutritional needs are being met and to treat any conditions of pregnancy as they arise.

Breastfeeding support

Four weeks after the birth you will consult with your fertility naturopath for a 45 minutes consult to see how breastfeeding is going and to help with any stressors that may have arisen with you and your precious new child.

To learn more, call 03 8528 2079 today.

Testimonials

I have been seeing Shiho for nearly 6 months. I found her really knowledgeable, caring, considerate and attention to detail. She is not just looking after the issue I have but also my “mindset” that she finds it connects to our body! She is like my soulmate who understands me a lot and gradually, she finds out the "cause" of my issue and tackle it with her treatment. I am really happy with her service and her positive energy.

 

So Kawai
Melbourne

Emily is an absolute angel. Not only has she transformed my skin to a better version of itself, she continuously imparts amazing knowledge on life which has directly and positively impacted my general well being. She is that healthy glow everyone needs in their life.

Valentine Paris
Melbourne

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