Preconception Care: A Functional Medicine Approach
When we think about conceiving, the focus often shifts to pregnancy itself. But what about the time before conception? Preconception care is crucial for both partners to create the healthiest environment for conception and to give their future child the best start in life.
Functional Medicine in Maternity Care
Functional medicine in maternity care offers a personalized, systems-based approach that emphasizes understanding the unique biochemical, genetic, and lifestyle factors that influence maternal and fetal health. Unlike conventional care, which often follows a standardized model, functional medicine takes into account individual variations in metabolism, hormonal balance, gut health, and nutrient status, tailoring treatment plans to optimize the health of both the mother and baby.
One key aspect is addressing the root causes of imbalances that could affect fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery. This may include investigating conditions like insulin resistance, inflammation, thyroid dysfunction, and adrenal health, all of which can impact fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and even postnatal health.
There is lot of benefit in putting strong emphasis on preconception care, addressing nutritional and hormonal imbalances in both partners before conception to improve pregnancy outcomes.
Listen to this episode here to deep dive in all about preconception care with Sarah Thompson
It’s more than just the egg! Fertility takes two.
“I believe if we deliberately check both male and female factors from the start, a lot of unnecessary suffering and difficulty can be prevented”
Fertility challenges are often seen as primarily a woman’s issue (or the person who carries the baby), despite the fact that both partners are equally likely to contribute to the difficulty. This misconception places an unfair social burden on women and pregnant people, who are more likely to feel responsible for fertility struggles, even when their partner’s fertility may be a factor.
Essential Nutrients for Preconception
Did you know that during the first trimester, very little of the nutrition that someone eats is utilized by the fetus? Most of the early growth of the fetus is sustained by the nutrient stores the mother built during the preconception period. This is why preconception nutrition is so critical—it lays the foundation for healthy fetal development, even before pregnancy begins.
Nutrient deficiencies can impair fertility and pregnancy outcomes, so ensuring the right nutrients are in place is a key aspect of preconception care. Preconception health isn't just about "eating healthy" or "staying fit." It requires a deep understanding of how nutrition, lifestyle, and environmental toxins influence fertility. Here are the key essential nutrients that are so so crucial to focus on before you plan your pregnancy:
- Vitamin D: Regulates reproductive hormones and supports immune function.
- Vitamin C: Supports healthy egg and sperm quality.
- Vitamin A: Important for embryo development and immune function.
- Selenium: Protects against oxidative damage, essential for sperm quality.
- Folate: Crucial for DNA synthesis and preventing neural tube defects.
- Zinc: Supports hormone production and fertility in both men and women.
- Alpha-Lipoic Acid: An antioxidant that supports cellular energy and protects egg and sperm cells.
- Omega-3: Vital for reducing inflammation and supporting hormonal balance.
- Vitamin E: Protects cells from oxidative damage, improving egg and sperm health.
- NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine): Supports detoxification and reproductive health.
- CoQ10: Improves mitochondrial function and egg quality.
- B Vitamins: Essential for energy production, hormonal balance, and reducing the risk of birth defects.
Did You Know?
In the third trimester, the placenta produces a hormone called lactogen, which causes a natural pattern of insulin resistance. This insulin resistance ensures that more glucose remains in the mother’s bloodstream, allowing the baby to use it to gain fat for growth. The fetus itself also drives hormonal changes during pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester. Fetal adrenal glands produce cortisol and DHEA, which play a role in the labor process and overall fetal development. Fascinating, right? To learn more about the wonders of the body during pregnancy, check out the full podcast [here].
Research Links:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9884658/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6075697/
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