One of my absolute favorite things to do as a naturopathic doctor is to support families in fertility, pregnancy, and raising healthy and resilient children.
There are so many invaluable tools that we have to help patients achieve optimum health and wellness during this critical time. Not only does working towards optimum health feel better as we transition into the strong, energized, and wise parents we hope to be, but there is a growing body of research that shows early health care BEFORE pregnancy can help avoid chronic disease in our little ones.
Truly, nothing replaces getting started early. Preconception health and health care is the greatest gift you can give yourself, your future child, and your family. Here is why.
It is an insurance policy.
When we envision starting or growing our family, the last thing we imagine is raising children with chronic disease. Unfortunately, the reality is that by the young age of five, 40% of American children will be found to suffer from a chronic health condition such as depression, ADD, autism, bi-polar disorder, cancer, depression, asthma, or serious food allergies.
These conditions are not simply genetic in origin. Research suggests that genetics plays only a small role in many of today’s chronic diseases. Other causes include improper nutrition, environmental toxins, and stresses on families.
Health is the new wealth.
Preconception health care is an investment. When we take early action to change our health, we invest in a brighter financial future for our family and ourselves. We plan ahead by saving up for retirement, but how are we planning to minimize financial obstacles like the exorbitant emotional and financial cost of chronic disease?
We don’t have a crystal ball, but we can protect ourselves from making costly choices. Having children is a HUGE financial decision and planning ahead means improving our health well before conception.
What we do is as important, if not more important than what we take.
Let’s face it, there are things about our lifestyle and diet that we all can do to optimize our health. What better excuse than to prepare for the possibility of a future child?
Lifestyle and dietary changes take TIME to implement and correct for any physiologic dysfunction. The more time you give yourself to plan and prepare, the more lasting impact these healthy patterns can have on your health and that of your family.
Many pregnancies are unplanned and many pregnancies are not possible when couples are “ready.”
Preconception planning improves the likelihood for a healthy pregnancy when the time is right. Maybe pregnancy is the farthest thing from your mind today, but things change over time and the truth is that if you are of childbearing age, sexually active, and in a heterosexual relationship, there is always the chance that you may become pregnant (even with the best birth control methods).
Even in those who are not sexually active or in same sex relationships, you may change your mind about having a child of your own. Being mindful and prepared is good for your health, and future children the same as everyone else.
Improving your health also, invariably enhances your fertility.
Assisted reproductive technologies take an emotional and financial toll that is often not part of the pregnancy planning process.
Often, patients will present to their doctor seeking health advice 1-2 months before trying. Or, many couples have been ineffective in their efforts and come in frustrated and disappointed, or maybe, miscarried and nervous about a recurrence. I so often wish that our paths had crossed sooner.
Don’t wait! Get started early on your preparedness for the unknown. Whether or not you think you will have a child someday, preconception health planning and health care is a great gift you can give yourself.
Education is power.
There is so much information available to us at our fingertips, but having the guidance of a trained health professional can make all the difference in maximizing your energies into the areas with the biggest payoff.
Naturopathic doctors are trained in both conventional and naturopathic diagnosis, as well as, natural and conventional therapeutics including botanical medicine, nutrition, physical medicine, pharmacology, hydrotherapy, IV therapy, and homeopathy.
It is an incredible gift to have these diagnostic tools and modalities at our fingertips. Patients so often get better and I am reminded how beautiful and wise our medicine is. We truly are leaders in preventative care.
What could be more preventative than beginning optimal health care with the onset of life itself! It is wonderful when couples come into our clinic looking to improve their health and optimize their fertility before conceiving their first child. Too often, however, I wish I had more time to help patients optimize their health BEFORE they are ready to conceive. It really is never too early to start.
