Food as the medicine takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to supporting fertility and reproductive health.

Once an overlooked and underestimated factor in fertility and pregnancy outcomes, the importance of nutrition to preconception preparation is only just being realised.

Esteemed medical journal The Lancet is one of many peer-reviewed publications to publish studies in recent years promoting the evidence-based benefits of optimal nutrition in the months, or even years, leading up to pregnancy.

With one in six Australian couples experiencing fertility troubles, it is more important than ever to highlight the significance of nutrition and its ability to influence fertility, pregnancy outcomes and foetal gene expression.

When I mention this to clients, they rush to ask me what they should be eating. And while no single food can guarantee a healthy pregnancy, a combination of nutrient-rich wholefoods, nutritional supplements, gut health support and lifestyle changes may go a long way to improve both maternal and paternal fertility, creating a harmonious environment for a growing baby.

I find women are generally more open to making dietary changes in preparation for pregnancy, with men often thinking they’re off the hook. But studies have found children may have a higher risk of metabolic disease and Type 2 diabetes if their father ate a poor diet prior to conception, while paternal exposure to certain chemicals like paint and pesticides is associated with a higher risk of cancer and genital malformations.

Anyone who has experienced nausea and vomiting in pregnancy can attest to the misleading nature of the title ‘morning sickness’.

For many, morning sickness can last all day, often for most of the first trimester, and sometimes beyond.

For some, it doesn’t end until the baby and placenta are born.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum affects one to two per cent of pregnant people, causing debilitating nausea and vomiting for most if not all of pregnancy.

It is diagnosed when nausea and vomiting of pregnancy are extremely severe (up to 50 times a day in some cases), persists past the first trimester, or results in a weight loss of at least five percent of pre-pregnancy weight.

The condition is serious and can lead to dehydration and malnutrition of both mother and baby, as well as increased risk of weight loss and preeclampsia. Half of all mothers with Hyperemesis Gravidarum may also develop depression or anxiety.

With so much conflicting information, it can be confusing to find the best foods for your breastfeeding journey. If I asked a room full of breastfeeding mothers which foods trigger tummy troubles for their babies, I’d be left with an overwhelming list of foods to avoid.  And for every list of foods claiming to increase breast milk, is another list contradicting everything on the one before it.

Although all prenatal testing and screening is optional, a large majority of pregnant people in Australia will undergo the Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy.

How much water have you drunk today?

I’ll wait here while you go and grab a glass….

We all know drinking water is vital for good health, but very few of us drink enough.

The average adult is composed of around 55-60% water, while children are made up of around 65-70%1. Yet up to 12 cups of water is lost each day through normal bodily functions alone.

Depending on your age and body weight, the composite amount of water in your body2, and the amount of water you should drink, will vary.

If you’ve ever tried to lose weight or adopt a healthier approach to your lifestyle and eating habits, then you’ve probably heard of the ‘Keto Diet’.

This diet, which causes the body to burn fat instead of glucose for energy, has seen a huge spike in popularity over the last few years.

Postnatal depression has again been in the spotlight as Covid19 restrictions left new parents and birthing people without their usual support systems.

There is perhaps nothing quite as life-changing as becoming a mum.

From the excitement of nesting and preparing a nursery to the oxytocin rush of that newborn baby smell, the maiden to mother journey is a beautiful one.

It’s a time of growth, evolution, changing perceptions, and often a spiritual and consciousness awakening.

Are you planning a new addition to your family and currently breastfeeding?

Then you might have some questions.

As a naturopath, I support people with conscious conception, including parents with growing families, so breastfeeding during pregnancy has become a common topic in my clinic.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion and misunderstanding in our society about fertility and breastfeeding.

To help, I have collated some of the latest data on breastfeeding during conception and pregnancy to answer all those commonly asked questions.

How do I know if I have a food allergy? 

Australia has been labelled the food allergy capital of the world.

Recent statistics have revealed up to 10 per cent of Australian infants have a proven egg allergy and up to four million Australians have some form of food allergy or intolerance.

The jury is out on why food allergies are increasing, but theories range from delayed introduction of allergenic foods and Vitamin D deficiency to the overexposure of certain medications and diets high in processed foods. 

The robustness of the immune system and gut health may also have an influential role on the development of food allergies. 

But how do you know if you have a food allergy? And what’s the difference between a true allergy and an intolerance? And what foods could you be allergic to?

We all dream of flawless skin.

But the mirror sometimes shows us a different picture.

Whether it’s acne, blackheads, scars, dry patches, redness or wrinkles, our skin can be plagued with problems seemingly beyond our control.

It’s tempting to reach for topical treatments like acne creams and wrinkle busters, but it’s important to remember problem skin isn’t just skin deep.

The Fluoride Debate Fluoride has been added to town water supplies in Australia for health reasons since the 1960s. But questions are increasingly being asked about the safety and consequences of what some have called ‘mass medication’. Fluoridation of water supplies began internationally in 1945 in an effort to improve oral health and reduce the risk of cavities. 

Let’s get right to it because time is a) important and b) in high demand. Realistically being a mum is different for everyone. I got given lots of advice (some unsolicited) and what I took from it and made my own is the following:

1. Remember to breathe. Take one day at a time. Feel what you are feeling and process it, get it out by writing, or talking about it; and breathe Mumma! 

It’s no secret that fertility is my passion as a naturopath. So I thought I’d share some of the basics about reproductive health, and what factors can help and hinder the baby-making process.

Chia seeds are a truley valuable addition to any diet, and they are so easy to squeeze into many different meals. These seeds are so tiny, its amazing that they are so nutritious - packed full of minerals like calcium and manganese but also a great source of protein, fiber and omega-3's. Black, white or brown, whichever chia you chose, you'll certainly benefit from having these every day.

What is PCOS, and what can we do about it? Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) describes a constellation of symptoms, although two out of three criteria must be met: impaired or no ovulation; excessive levels of “male” hormones and multiple (poly-) cysts on the ovaries. Symptoms commonly include menstrual difficulties; male-pattern hair loss or facial hair; acne; infertility and worst of all, miscarriages.