It takes two to tango, so smarten up Mr.
Published Dec 12, 2007 in the North Island Weekender
Julie, aged 35, came into my office seeking advice on improving her chances of getting pregnant. She and her husband Joe, age 40, had been trying for the past two years with no success as of yet. Julie wanted to try naturopathic medicine while she waited to see a fertility specialist in Victoria. “What luck!” I said. “I have just returned from a conference where Dr. Francesca Naish N.D. presented and in two hours gave us a lot of information on what she has researched in her world famous Jocelyn Center in Australia over the past 20 years. Her website is www.fertility.com.au If you want references to any of the following statistics you can also look at www.forsight-preconception.org.uk or I would be happy to provide them.”
Preconception care or “pchc” is a term coined by Dr. Naish and her staff to refer to the four months prior to conception where the health of both the man and the woman is optimized. Then they are free to try and conceive at that point. This is the optimal time it takes for the maturation of sperm and eggs in a healthier environment. During this time the egg and sperm are most vulnerable to toxicity and nutrient deficiency. A passion for preconception arises from the knowledge that when you provide the best foundation for fetus development this health can then be passed on genetically to future generations! The 21st century brings new challenges to the survival of the human race and many relate to the escalation of toxins in the environment. Preconception care is meant to optimize nutrition and detoxification before conception so that babies and children do not develop eczema, asthma, allergies or behavioral problems. The pregnancy and delivery are also easier.
“So why is your husband not here with you at this visit Julia?” I asked. Well it turns out that Joe, along with many men, assume that fertility is the woman’s problem not the males. This is where I started to share some of Dr. Naish’s statistics.
“Did you know that leukemia, asthma, mental development diseases and respiratory diseases in children may be linked to unhealthy sperm? There is a 10 fold increase in testicular cancer for offspring of men exposed to organic solvents. Men are more often in toxic occupations than women so this is why it is important for men to do preconception care too! Some studies indicate that up to 50% of miscarriages are due to abnormal sperm. The father smoking prior to conception is a greater risk to respiratory diseases including asthma than the mother smoking and children born to fathers greater than the age of 40 are 6 times more likely to be autistic than if the father is less than 30 years of age. A man of 40 has the same risk of having a child with schizophrenia as a woman of 40 has of having a child with Down’s Syndrome. Even if the couple is needing to undergo In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) preconception care may lower the risk of development delays and congenital defects, miscarriages, ectopic pregnany and C section rates all of which are at an increase risk due to IVF.”
I then sent Julia home to bring back Joe with her at their next appointment where we discussed in more detail the treatment program that I wanted them both to follow for 3-4 months. This included supplementation, detoxification, avoidance of toxins, treatment of infections and management of the immune system all of which may contribute to infertility.
Prenatal nutrition supplements taken by both parents may lower the risk of the following:
1. three common childhood cancers: leukemia, brain tumors and neuroblastoma,
2. premature delivery,
3. low birth weight,
4. heart defects
5. pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure)
6. abnormal genetic functioning in offspring
7. cystic fibrosis genetic defects
Detoxification: This phase is not done during pregnancy nor breast feeding so during pchc is the best time for this. Agents that optimize the two phases of detoxification in the liver are utilized along with antioxidants. Optimal drainage of toxins through the bowel, liver, skin, and urinary tract is accomplished using UNDA numbers homeopathic remedies. Probiotics (healthy gut flora) is also utilized to stabilize the immune system and is used long term to optimize the gut health and overall immune system of the newborn.
I am happy to say Julia became pregnant 4 months later, after following my treatment protocol, and gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Julia had very little trouble during her pregnancy and her baby was very healthy with no complaints of ear infections or colic. Joe was healthier too so he had more energy to tend the baby during the night!