Natural Or Assisted Conception &
Preconception Health
NATURAL OR ASSISTED CONCEPTION
What does it mean to conceive?
Conceiving means to become pregnant.
It describes the process when a man’s sperm fertilises a woman’s egg to make an embryo, then this embryo implants itself into the woman’s uterus for a pregnancy to start.
What is natural conception?
Natural conception is when the process of the sperm fertilising the egg happens naturally in the human body after sperm has been released into the vagina through intercourse or any other means.
What is assisted conception?
Assisted conception is when the process of forming an embryo is done with medical help. One such method is called IVF.
IVF is short for in vitro fertilisation. It is the process where a man’s sperm fertilises a woman’s egg in a laboratory to make an embryo then this embryo is placed into a woman’s uterus so that the embryo implants and a pregnancy can start.
LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR IVF OVERVIEW
LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR IVF AVAILABILITY
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR HFEA – IVF
PRECONCEPTION HEALTH
It is very important once a decision is made to conceive a baby that consideration is given to optimise the pre-pregnancy health of both parents, especially the mother. This will benefit the physical and emotional wellbeing of the mother and thus the intended pregnancy.
Preconception healthcare can start at 3 different points. They are:
- When a decision is made to conceive a baby
- The time before embryo development
- As soon as an individual is capable of conceiving a baby.
There are many decisions and lifestyle changes that need to be made.
LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR PLANNING YOUR PREGNANCY
Go see your GP or family planning clinic and tell them
The first thing you will need to do once you have made your decision to conceive a child is to make an appointment with your GP and inform them. Your GP may give you a health check, give you advice about what changes you need to make and guide you on how to improve your health.
Your GP may also be able to refer you to any organisations that could help you with specific issues you may have.
Coming off contraception
One of the first things that an individual or couple needs to do is to stop using contraception if they want to conceive. A female will need to have her coil removed or stop taking the pill if this is the case. Whichever type of contraception needs to be stopped you must talk to your local family planning clinic or your GP first. They will advise you what is the safest way to stop your contraception, and how soon after you and your partner should start trying for a baby.
Sexual health checks
Before conceiving it is advisable to go to your local sexual health clinic and have a full check up to make sure you have not contracted anything that could harm your ‘to be conceived’ baby. Also ask your GP if you are up to date with your cervical smears. These check will go along way to ensure you are in the best of health when trying to conceive.
Take folic acid supplements before conception
Folic acid is the synthetic version of the vitamin B9 folate. It is vital during the very early stages of pregnancy when the baby’s neural tube is being formed. The neural tube goes on to form the baby’s brain and spine.
A well known defect that folic acid can prevent is spina bifida.
Pregnant women should take folic acid before conceiving or if not then as soon as they discover they are pregnant.
LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR VITAMINS, SUPPLEMENTS AND NUTRITION IN PREGNANCY
Stop smoking and drinking
If you smoke and drink, inform your GP and they will advise you what is the safest way to give up before you try and conceive. It is always better to make changes under guidance of a healthcare professional.
LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR STOP SMOKING IN PREGNANCY
LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR DRINKING ALCOHOL WHILE PREGNANT
Are you up to date with your vaccinations?
After informing your GP that you and your partner are trying to conceive, please ask if all your vaccinations are up to date. Your GP records will have all the details.
LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR VACCINATIONS IN PREGNANCY
Continuing or not continuing with any medication
If you are taking medication, it is advisable to talk to your GP whether you should continue taking it as you’re trying to conceive and during the pregnancy. Your GP will advise you whether you should take it, come off it or an alternative can be given.
LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR MEDICINES IN PREGNANCY
Reduce your stress levels
This has to be a conscious and deliberate change you must make. It is good for you, your partner and will be good for your baby.
Try to remove as much stress as you can so you are not anxious, tired, upset or distressed. You may find it easier to conceive.
LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR GET HELP WITH STRESS
Diet changes
It is essential to have a healthy, well balanced and nutritious diet during your pregnancy. As this is the case it is best to start eating healthy before you conceive so that your palette gets used to it, healthy habits become the norm and you start feeling good about yourself.