Benalla Health Studio

1.A free introductory consultation is available for the conception program to answer questions and discuss how we might assist your particular fertility concerns.

2.1st Long consultation up to 2 hours both partners if possible

• Allows time to address initial concerns, health issues and start you on the road to improved fertility and preparing for pregnancy.
• Discuss fertility history and current issues
• Discuss family and medical history
• Discuss dietary and lifestyle questionnaires to be completed
• Referrals for any tests if necessary
• Teaching menstrual cycle charting temperature / cervical mucus / relevant symptoms
• Supply Nutritional / Homoeopathic / Herbal Supplements where appropriate.

3.2nd Long Appointment up to 2 hours both partners if possible-Collation of information from

• Questionnaires dietary/lifestyle, reproductive health
• Test results
• 1st Month Menstrual cycle charting
• Discuss and answer further questions you may have and offer support regarding
• Menstrual cycle charting
• Dietary and lifestyle issues
• Remedies prescribed.

Some reproductive issues may be more straight forward and require less time evaluating, but it is important not to assume. It is important to be thorough in investigation and treatment to optimise your success with a healthy mother, baby, pregnancy, birthing and beyond.

4.Follow up monthly appointments (usually half an hour to three quarters of an hour) will also be necessary to monitor treatment and improvements and plan for conception.

PHONE CONSULTATIONS

Where distance is a problem, phone consultations can be arranged by ringing the clinic to arrange a time suitable for both of us.

POSTAGE

Herbal medicine and supplements can be posted or sent with a courier.

BIRTHING

Herbal, nutritional supplements, homoeopathic and bush flower remedies offer gentle effective support to enhance the natural birthing process.

POST PARTUM

Herbal, nutritional supplements, homoeopathics and bush flower essence assist in management of some common post-partum complaints such as after pains, excess bleeding, and in the healing of tears.

BREAST FEEDING

Herbal, nutritional supplements, homoeopathic and bush flower essence assist in milk supply.

• Quality and Quantity
• Prevention and treatment of mastitis

BABYS, TODDLERS AND CHILDRENS HEALTH

Baby and Toddler
Many common conditions such as colic, sleep disturbance, bronchial infections can be swiftly addressed with homeopathic remedies.

Children
Many common childhood complaints can be addressed with homoeopathic and nutritional support.

We provide holistic, effective and safe solutions for reproductive health throughout life.

• From puberty to menopause / andropause
• From contraception to conception
• From preconception healthcare to treatments for infertility
• Pregnancy
• Birthing
• Breastfeeding and beyond

Some Examples:-
From puberty to menopause and beyond

• Hormonal imbalance-Endometriosis
• Acne, P.M.S. - P.C.O.S.
• Painful periods - Ovarian Cysts
• Heavy periods - Urinary tract infections
• Hot flushes / sweats - Infertility
• Loss of libido - Mood changes, irritability
• vaginal dryness - Bone density

From puberty, to andropause and beyond

• Acne
• Hormonal Imbalance
• Irritability
• Benign prostate enlargement
• Varicocele
• Infertility

Preparing for Pregnancy

Everyone wants to ensure that they give their child the very best start in life and the best way to do this is to prepare your body for pregnancy well before you start trying to conceive.

Your nutrition in the lead up to pregnancy can greatly affect your fertility. Both you and your partner need to have optimum nutrition to provide your bodies with the appropriate building blocks needed to produce healthy eggs and sperm in order to create a healthy baby.

Poor diet, stress, exposure to pollution, heavy metals and everyday toxins including caffeine, tobacco, alcohol and damage from free radicals can greatly diminish your fertility.

ONE in SIX couples have difficulty conceiving

With infertility on the rise, more and more couples are turning to assisted reproductive technology to have a family so it is important that you pay careful attention to your health in the lead up to starting a family. Eggs take approximately one hundred days to mature and the formation of sperm takes approximately one hundred and sixteen days. Both are susceptible to damage during this time, which is why preconception care should begin at least 3 months prior to conception.

Naturopaths can help devise a personalised preconception care programme for you and your partner.

This may include:-

• Detoxification to maximise fertility
• Individualised eating plans
• Nutritional supplementation to maximise fertility
• Education on charting ovulation
• Advice on timing of conception
• Treatment for fertility issues and hormonal imbalance if needed.

Nutrition is especially important during the preconception period. While a well balanced, nutrient rich diet is essential for both partners, supplementing with key nutrients during this time helps to boost fertility and prepare your body for pregnancy. Many people think that folic acid is the only supplement needed, when in fact other nutrients play essential roles as well. Herbal medicine is often used in the preconception period to support the fertility of both partners. Herbs such as Chaste Tree, Peony, False Unicorn Root and Dong Quai are often used to balance hormones and support fertility in women, while in men several herbs such as Withania, Damiana and Ginseng can be sued.

Antioxidants such as CoQ10 and superoxide dismutase are essential in the preconception period to protect the developing eggs and sperm from damage caused by free radicals. They are an important addition to the preconception care of any prospective parent over the age of thirty five.

B Vitamins, in particular folate (B9), pyridoxine (B6) and cyanocobalamin (B12), - Poor B6 status may decrease the possibility of conception and increase the risk of early pregnancy loss. Intake of B9 and B12 conceptionally and during the first four to six weeks of pregnancy reduces the risk of neural tube defects. B12 insufficiency has been associated with numerous conditions including pre-eclampsia and recurrent pregnancy loss.

Calcium Is important for skeletal development and the healthy formation of muscle and nerve tissue. A newborn infant skeleton holds about 20-30g Calcium (Prentice 2003). In preconception, Calcium is necessary for the formation of fertile mucus. A diet high in processed foods depletes calcium levels.

Magnesium - necessary for the production of oestrogen and progesterone. Magnesium plays an important role in maintaining a healthy hormone balance prior and during pregnancy. Magnesium deficiency can cause nervousness, irritability, fluid retention, pre-eclampsia and compromise the muscles ability to contract and relax and even mild magnesium deficiency in men can adversely affect sperm.

Zinc often deficient in the Australian diet, zinc is important for both male and female fertility. It is essential for the formation of healthy sperm as low zinc levels in men can contribute to low testosterone levels and chromosomal abnormalities. It plays an important role in the hormonal health of women and low zinc levels are linked to an increase in stretch marks, cracked nipples, perineal tearing, low birth weight, prolonged labours and compromised immune function.

Omega 3 Fish Oil - It is vitally important for the mother to consider carefully what she eats, to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy and provide optimal conditions for baby to grow. The first three months of the pregnancy are particularly vital. The need for omega 3 fatty acids are increased significantly, as this is the stage for brain development which requires DHA. The mother needs to sustain high levels to transfer DHA from the placenta to the foetus.

Although there are more nutrients required than the list above. The key to success is a little bit of preparation! If you would like to improve your fertility and prepare your body for pregnancy and birth your Naturopath can tailor a preconception support programme for you.

What to Avoid

It is also important to avoid harmful chemicals, toxins and unhealthy foods during the preconception period.

• Alcohol
• Cigarette smoke
• Highly refined food
• High sugar intake
• Fried food and burnt meat
• Pollution and household chemicals