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It has not been a great month for older prospective parents or those planning a pregnancy. The headlines have featured the Government’s views that older mothers ought to be discouraged, older fathers are more likely to have autistic children, and that women in their 20s should consider freezing their eggs whilst young. It all adds up to bad news if you are in your late 30s or early 40s – at this age is it really too late to have children? Jane Clarke, founder of natural preconception and pregnancy company Nourish, and a health professional for over 20 years, says, “The very negative stories that are coming out of the press lately for older parents are not good news. It sounds as if there is nothing an older mother or father can do to improve the chance of conception and a healthy baby. On the contrary, there are some really positive steps older parents and couples of all ages should take before they plan for a pregnancy. From a professional stance and from my own experience I know how important it is to feel you are doing everything you can to improve your chance of becoming pregnant and giving birth to a healthy baby. Lifestyle makes an incredible difference – you need to look at what you are eating and drinking. Studies show that a diet rich in antioxidants significantly reduces age-related decline in ovulation.” It takes 4 months for an egg to mature prior to release and during this time a woman can take positive steps to ensure that it is well nourished. The same applies to the man’s sperm. Jane continues, “It is all about planning and nourishing – you would not sow seeds on poor soil – prior to planting you ensure that the soil is rich and hydrated to optimize conditions for healthy growth. Nourish’s Conception Conditioning Programme provides a convenient way to ensure that both men and women have the essential levels of nutrients, together with a healthy hormonal and digestive system, which are vital for conception and maintaining a healthy pregnancy. This way you are giving your baby the best possible start to life.” Fertility studies in Massachusetts have found that, contrary to longstanding theories of reproductive physiology, all females are born with all the eggs they need for their fertile life, but some mammals have the ability to generate new eggs or oocytes. Stem cells within the bone marrow are now showing their ability to produce eggs in adulthood. “Research like this gives women new hope for a family later in life – it may herald a new era in the management of female infertility and menopause,” says Jane. “Often older mothers are exceptionally healthy, both emotionally and physically. They take great care about what they eat, have financial security and are able to dedicate time and resources to planning a healthy pregnancy, and with this research, the picture for fertility in older couples may not be that bleak.” • Nourish was set up six years ago to encourage couples to improve their emotional and physical health before planning for a baby. Nourish’s Conception Conditioning Programme includes vitamins, herbal tinctures and aromatherapy massage oils. A typical monthly course for a woman costs £59.95 and the men’s version costs £57.50.
• The clinics and therapists which are part of Nourish’s Satellite Clinic network are spread throughout the UK, Channel Islands and Ireland.
• Many doctors are now recommending pre-conceptual care to their patients in an effort to avoid problems that might come up during pregnancy. Preventative measures are vital because a significant proportion of birth defects can be avoided by making simple changes before becoming pregnant. Given the fact that one in twenty babies has a birth defect, these considerations are very important for all couples.
• Nourish also produces a Hypno Conception hypnotherapy CD, which was runner-up in the Best Product for Complimentary Practitioners category at The Natural Trade Show. For more details telephone
+(44) 01534 857197 or visit
www.nourish-fertility.com
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