Whether you are thinking, planning, or actively trying to get pregnant, be it naturally or through assisted reproductive technologies (IVF), a Fertility Dietitian can provide guidance, support and help to both you and your partner. To improve your fertility diet, and overall health and wellbeing to optimise your chances of falling pregnant and achieving your dream of having your baby.
When it comes to getting pregnant, it can be overwhelming with all the advice and IVF procedures and protocols available, and what it boils down to at the end of the day is that to get pregnant and have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby, we need the following
- Healthy Egg
- Healthy Sperm
- To get together (Good Timing in the case of natural conception)
- Fertilise and form a good-quality embryo
- Implant in the uterus
- And a healthy body to nourish and develop the fetus into a full-term (37 weeks) baby.
If only it were so easy, I hear you say, but it can be once you have the proper knowledge and support in place.
The Role of a Fertility Dietitian
A fertility dietitian plays a crucial role in helping individuals and couples to optimise their chances of falling pregnant naturally or through fertility treatment by improving their preconception health. A fertility dietitian is a trained professional who specialises in the relationship between nutrition and reproductive health. Their primary goal is to optimise fertility outcomes by identifying and treating any dietary factors, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, health conditions and lifestyle factors that may be hindering conception. Through a comprehensive assessment, they can determine specific nutrient needs, suggest dietary modifications, blood tests and blood test analysis, tailored supplement advice and provide tailored evidence-based nutritional advice and guidance on nutritional planning to optimise fertility health.
The Importance of Nutrition for Fertility
Good nutrition is essential for our general overall health and wellbeing. Our dietary choices have a significant impact not only on reproductive health but also on immune health, digestive health, energy levels, blood sugar control, and overall wellbeing. Therefore, It is necessary to take a whole-body approach to improve our fertility health and influence our hormone balance, egg quality, sperm health, and reproductive function. A well-balanced diet abundant in fruit and vegetables, protein, moderate amounts of carbohydrates and good quality fats is essential for achieving optimal wellbeing and influencing fertility health.
One of the key aspects of nutrition for fertility is maintaining a healthy weight. Both overweight and underweight individuals may experience difficulties with conception due to hormonal imbalances. A fertility dietitian can help address any hormonal imbalances that may be affecting fertility and suggest dietary modifications through a personalised nutritional plan that supports reproductive goals.
Additionally, certain nutrients have been shown to impact fertility directly. For example, folate is essential for preventing neural tube defects in early pregnancy, while omega-3 fatty acids can improve egg quality. A fertility dietitian can ensure that you’re getting an adequate intake of these and other vital nutrients like iron, Vitamin D, choline and vitamin B12 etc through your diet and, when needed, through supplements.
How a fertility dietitian can support you when trying to conceive Naturally
If you’re trying to conceive naturally, a fertility dietitian plays a crucial role in improving your chances of getting pregnant. A fertility dietitian will work with you on these key areas
- Nutrition – Identifying nutritional deficiencies that may be affecting your natural fertility, help with incorporating foods to boost fertility, advice on foods to help fertility, portion sizes, meal timing, meal planning and overall dietary balance to ensure you’re meeting your nutritional needs to optimise your diet for fertility
- Manage existing health conditions like PCOS, Type 2 Diabetes, Weight management, etc, through tailored nutrition support to improve your reproductive health.
- Lifestyle Plan- A fertility dietitian can also educate you on other factors influencing your fertility, such as stress management, exercise, and exposure to environmental toxins. By taking a holistic approach to women’s fertility, a fertility dietitian can empower you to make informed decisions about your health and wellbeing to influence your fertility health positively.
- Understand and improve your menstrual cycle health- A fertility dietitian can educate you on your menstrual cycles, foods that will help improve your cycle, how to track your cycle and identify ovulation.
- Blood test advice and analysis- identify possible deficiencies in your diet, advise on blood tests, analyse blood test results, identify hormonal imbalances and incorporate the findings into your nutritional plan and, if needed, your supplement plan.
- A fertility dietitian can provide tailored supplement advice, such as what to take, when, and how much to take.
How a Fertility Dietitian Can Support you with IVF Treatments
If you’re currently thinking, starting or undergoing IVF treatments, a fertility dietitian can be an invaluable resource to optimise your chances of a successful IVF round. A fertility dietitian will provide guidance on nutrition, lifestyle, and blood tests. In addition, they will give specific advice throughout the different stages of IVF treatment, from IVF preparation to the two-week wait.
IVF preparation should ideally start at a minimum of 3 months before the start of your IVF cycle. During these three months, it is essential to prioritise the health of both you and your partner. Taking a whole-body holistic approach is necessary to optimise your chances of success with a focus on nutrition, as this influences all aspects of your overall health and wellbeing. It’s important to understand that a well-planned fertility diet can play a significant role in preparing your body for the IVF process.
Focusing on your nutrition, a fertility dietitian will take a deep dive into your health history, current health, reproductive health and fertility history so far. Identifying nutritional deficiencies that may be affecting your fertility, managing existing health conditions that may be affecting your chances of pregnancy, balancing blood sugars, helping with incorporating fertility boosting foods, advising on foods that increase fertility, portion sizes, meal timing, meal planning and overall dietary balance to ensure you’re both meeting your nutritional needs to optimise your chance of success with IVF.
In addition to this, especially with IVF, as it is more of a stepped approach, a fertility dietitian can provide personalised advice on the nutrients needed at each stage of the fertility journey, be it IVF preparation where the focus is on improving egg and sperm quality, Embryo Transfer where the focus is on improving uterine lining before embryo transfer as well as how to approach the two week wait to enhance implantation rates. A fertility dietitian can recommend specific foods and supplements to incorporate and avoid during the different stages of the IVF process. This tailored approach ensures that your fertility diet aligns with the specific requirements of each step, optimising your chances of a successful IVF round.
Lifestyle choices that can affect fertility
Alongside nutrition, a fertility dietitian can also advise and support you in other areas that can affect your fertility health, like your lifestyle choices, exercise habits, stress management and sleep health. By prioritising these aspects of your life, you can foster a positive influence on your health and wellbeing and your wellbeing as a couple. This three month IVF preparation period presents an opportunity for you to cultivate healthy habits that can influence your future IVF outcomes.
Furthermore, a fertility dietitian can help you manage any side effects or discomfort associated with IVF medications and procedures. They can suggest dietary modifications or supplements that may help and support your overall wellbeing during this challenging time.
What working with a fertility dietitian can do for you
By working with a fertility dietitian, you gain confidence and knowledge in optimising your fertility and receive personalised support tailored to your individual needs. This ensures that you are equipped with the right tools and guidance to enhance your fertility journey, whether you are trying to conceive naturally or undergoing assisted reproductive treatments like IVF. Individualised support from a fertility dietitian can significantly improve your overall fertility experience, increasing your chances of conceiving and helping you embark on a path towards a healthy pregnancy and beyond. If you would like to find out more about how I can help you on your journey, book your FREE 30 minute call here, and let’s chat
Naomi xx