Why Essential Fats are so important for you and your baby during pregnancy

There are many reasons why you should eat oily fish during your pregnancy and / or supplement with omega-3 oils (and especially DHA) if you do not eat fish says, UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy. Some of the key reasons are listed below:
¨ Omega-3 fats support the healthy development of the fetal brain, eyes, nervous system and immune system;
¨ Omega-3 fats substantially reduce the risk of allergies in young children;
¨ Omega-3 fats improve attention and focus in infants and young children; and
¨ Omega-3 fats taken during pregnancy can decrease a mother’s risk for post natal depression.

If you decide to supplement in the important months of pregnancy and breastfeeding, make sure that the fish oil supplement is the purest and healthiest source of the omega-3 fats, says, UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown. Ideally, you should choose a supplement with 300mg DHA. If the supplement does not break down the different components, then the chances are it may not contain the recommended amount.

To find out more about Nutritional support during or before your pregnancy, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2. I have also written a free e-book on how you can improve your diet prior to and during your pregnancy, which can be obtained by clicking on my link: http://www.urbod.co.uk/personal/UrPregnancyE-book.htm

Breastfeeding signficiantly cuts death rate in babies

Image via WikipediaInitiation of breast-feeding within the first hour after birth or during the first day of life is associated with a significant reduction in neonatal mortality, according to results of a study from Nepal, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy.

Breast-feeding was initiated in 3.4% of babies within the first hour of birth, in 56.6% by 24 hours and in 97.2% by 72 hours after birth.

In this cohort study, two hundred and ninety seven neonatal deaths were recorded between the 2nd and 28th days of life.

"There was a trend toward higher mortality with increasing delay in breast-feeding initiation," the researchers reported. Compared with initiation within 1 hour, the relative risk for mortality was 1.95, 2.8 and 4.19 among babies where breastfeeding started during the first day, second day and after the third day, respectively.

The researchers also noted that mortality risk was also nearly twice as high (1.77 times higher) among partially breast-fed neonates as compared to those exclusively breast-fed. This is a particularly important finding for the UK, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, as many mothers choose to use formula and breastfeed.

The researchers estimated that up to 19.1% of all neonatal deaths may have be avoided with universal initiation of breast-feeding within the first hour or day.

Breast milk (called colostrum) produced in the first three days is rich in antibodies and immunoglobulins (which can protect your baby from disease), protein, minerals and vitamins A, E and B12. It is a rich source of probiotics which also help support the immune system, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown. It is highly likely the colostrum had a significant protective effect and reduced the likelihood of mortality.

To find out more about Nutritional support during or before your pregnancy, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2. I have also written a free e-book on how you can improve your pregnancy diet to maximise your chances of producing enough milk to breastfeed and on the benefits of breastfeeding, which can be obtained by clicking on my link. http://www.urbod.co.uk/Nutritionist/BreastfeedingCityoflondon.htm

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Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes

Breast-feeding has many benefits says, UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy.

One of these effects appears to be a reduction in the risk for the development of type 2 diabetes. Breast-feeding reduces this risk primarily by reducing children's weight, but the precise means by which this occurs is unclear, says, UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown.

Breast-feeding may set a lower and enduring satiety limit (feeling of fullness and satisfaction) for infants, whereas overfeeding among bottle-fed infants can increase peak insulin levels and prolong the insulin response.

Certain exposures associated with bottle-feeding, particularly to chemicals used to make plastic bottles and nitrates in tap water, can also reduce pancreatic beta-cell function, another reason why breast is best.

To find out more about how nutrition can help with breastfeeding, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2. I have co-authorised a free e-book which can be obtained by clicking on the following link: http://www.urbod.co.uk/Nutritionist/BreastfeedingCityoflondon.htmv

Top 10 Tips for Successful Breastfeeding

Welcome to National Breastfeeding Awareness Week.

The following are 10 great tips for sucessful breastfeeding, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy.

1. Breast feed within the first thirty minutes of birth in order to begin establishing feeding while your baby’s suckling reflexes are strong.
2. Avoid over stimulation of baby before the first feed. This means that bathing, dressing weighing and measuring all take second place to breast feeding.
3. When at home, make sure you are comfortable before you begin to breast feed. Have a large glass of water and some snacks close to hand (as breastfeeding can make you very hungry!). Have plenty of pillows to support your baby and your back or buy a breastfeeding pillow (from experience I found the Widgey Nursing Support Pillow invaluable).
4. Don’t worry that your milk supply is little within the first 3-4 days of birth. This initial colostrum plays a valuable role in preventing infection and is designed to coat your baby’s intestine with valuable antibodies. Babies often don’t feed much within the first 24-48 hours in any event.
5. Breastfeeding shouldn’t be painful. If it is, your baby is probable not attached correctly. Ask the hospital breastfeeding nurse, midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding counsellor (also known as lactation consultant) to check that your baby is correctly positioned and attached.
6. Dark green cabbage leaves (organic) are very effective in relieving engorged breasts. Lightly steam them and let them cool before putting them on your breasts.

Don’t start a feeding routine until your baby is at least six weeks old. Breast milk is digested much faster than formula milk so your baby should feed on demand. This may be anywhere between 1- 5 hourly. Starting a routine too early may reduce your milk flow and create problems.


What should I do if I have problems?

7. Speak to your midwife, health visitor or see your doctor: you or your baby may have thrush (or another condition) which is causing the problem and can be treated medically.
8. See a cranial osteopath for your baby.
9. See a breast feeding counsellor (also called lactation counsellor). They will come to your home (not cheap, but worth every penny). Do not rely on telephone support as you need to be shown how to hold your baby correctly when breastfeeding.
10. See a Nutritionist who can help you improve your diet which may help with milk flow.

If you wish to find out more about how nutrition can help with breastfeeding, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2. I have co-authored a free e-book which can be obtained by clicking on the following link:

Dealing With the Stress of Fertility Treatment

New research indicates that fertility patients who feel less stressed get pregnant more quickly, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy.

Below are some suggestions that may help you get pregnant and makes treatment more bearable.

- Think of your fertility treatment as a project. Map out a strategy with your partner and your fertility doctor, and stick to it. Decide in advance how many and what kind of procedures will be emotionally and financially acceptable, and attempt to determine a final limit. Try to get in a long-term mindset-hope to be pregnant within a year, rather than obsessing each day.

- Write down questions to bring to your doctor, so you don't forget to ask.

- Consider what you will do if you don't conceive. Having an alternative plan, such as adoption, not having children, or using donor eggs can minimize stress and anxiety.

- Consider taking a break every few months.

- Communicate with your partner, and expect your partner to have difficulties too. Don't expect him to always feel the same way that you do, though-different people respond differently to the strains of infertility.

- Fertility treatment can be hard on every aspect of a relationship. Try to do things together that are fun and unrelated to getting pregnant.

- Don't be surprised at your negative reaction when someone else becomes pregnant-even someone you love. It is hard to be happy for others while you are struggling to become a parent yourself.

- Expect to feel emotional during this process -- often a roller coaster of anxiety, excitement and frustration. Many modern women have never experienced this sort of loss of control over their lives-you have always been able to get what you wanted if you worked hard enough.

- Studies indicate that fertility treatment can be more stressful than cancer therapy-with similar feelings of anger, frustration, anxiety, grief, shame, damaged self-esteem, jealousy, isolation, and loss of control.

- Consider getting counselling, learning some relaxation techniques, or joining a support group. You may find yoga, meditation, guided imagery, reiki, massage therapy and/or exercise helpful.

To find out more about Nutritional support during or before your pregnancy, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2. I have also written a free e-book on how you can improve your diet prior to and during your pregnancy, which can be obtained by clicking on the following link www.urbod.co.uk/UrBump-Fertility-e-Book.htm

Breastfeeding Awareness Week 11-18 May

Did you know that if each year all babies worldwide were exclusively fed breast milk for the first 6 months, then the lives of an estimated 1.5million babies would be saved and the health and development of millions of others would be greatly improved. This sobering statistics come from the organisation Unicef, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy.

Only a third of babies in the UK are receiving any breastmilk at all at six weeks old which is way short of the World Health Organisation recommendation that babies should be exclusively breastfed for six months (fewer than 2% of British babies are breastfed up until 6 months!). The UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative is working with the health service so mothers understand more about breastfeeding and are enabled to breastfeed if they wish to.

Next week I will be writing about the Ten Top Tips for Successful Breastfeeding.

In the meantime, if you wish to find out more about how nutrition can help with breastfeeding, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2. I have co-authorised a free e-book which can be obtained by clicking on the following link: http://www.urbod.co.uk/Nutritionist/BreastfeedingCityoflondon.htm

Low levels of progesterone may lead to miscarriage

Progesterone, a steroid hormone, is an important female hormone says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy.

Progesterone is made by the ovary during ovulation. It is also produced by the adrenal glands in small amounts. It is manufactured in the body with the help of the steroid hormone pregnenolone and it in turn helps in the production of most of the other steroid hormones like cortisol, oestrogen and testosterone. In the female body, the most important role of the progesterone hormone is to counter the effects of oestrogen and help provide an environment for a successful pregnancy and a healthy pregnancy.

Progesterone and Fertility
Progesterone helps in reproduction by stimulating changes in the uterus and also supports pregnancy by increasing blood vessel and tissue development in the layer where the embryo attaches itself. The egg attaches itself to the uterus after been released from the ovary. On conception, the egg along with the sperm forms the embryo. Progesterone is the hormone that delays the shedding of the endometrium layer where the embryo implantation occurs.

If there is a significant drop in the progesterone levels during the first few weeks of pregnancy, then it may lead to a miscarriage.

Causes of Low Progesterone
There can be many factors that could cause the progesterone levels to fall, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown. Some prominent factors are:
- Dominance of oestrogen. This condition could occur if the individual is exposed to any environmental hormone that behaves like oestrogen or in cases of liver dysfunction.
- Resistance to insulin present in the body
- Chronic stress
- Diet that is rich in sugar or does not contain sufficient nutrients
- Insufficient exercise
- Certain medications

Consequently, dietary and lifestyle changes can help to address the issue of low progesterone and to help increase it to levels that support a pregnancy, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown.

To find out more about Nutritional support during or before your pregnancy, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2. I have also written a free e-book on how you can improve your diet during your pregnancy, which can be obtained by clicking on my link.

B Vitamins Ease Painful Pregnancy Leg Cramps

Almost half of all pregnant women get painful muscle cramps in their legs, usually during the second half of their pregnancies and usually at night says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy.

A study carried out at Tehran University of Medical Sciences found some interesting results in a study of 84 pregnant women. Calcium supplementation at a dose of 500mg per day proved to be extremely successful in just over half of participants, whilst magnesium supplementation at 182mg twice per day was to some extent successful in all of the participants.
,
Meanwhile, the group taking B vitamins had the most positive results: the symptoms of 72% of those taking vitamin B1 and B6 combination were completely resolved; another 19% reported relative improvement, and only 9% experienced no change.

The researchers concluded that supplementation with thiamine plus pyridoxine was significantly effective in improving muscle spasms during pregnancy.

With the urpregnancy nutritional and lifestyle programme we will look at your nutritional requirements and provide you with advice that can help reduce or alleviate painful muscle cramps.

To find out more about Nutritional support during or before your pregnancy, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2. I have also written a free e-book on how you can improve your diet during your pregnancy, which can be obtained by clicking on my link.

Post pregnancy weight loss: losing too much nor not enough can pose problems for future pregnancies

Women, who go on a dramatic weight-loss programme after the birth of their first child, are far more likely to have a pre-term birth the second time around, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy.

The greatest risk is among those whose body mass index (BMI) falls by five points or more between pregnancies, researchers have discovered.

By far the healthiest option – for mother and baby – is for the woman to get back to her weight before she first became pregnant, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown.

However, researchers warn mothers who keep on the pounds between pregnancies that they greatly increase their chances of complications second time around.

Even an increase of just one or two extra units on the BMI scale significantly increases the risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and gestational hypertension with the second pregnancy. A weight gain of more than three on the BMI scale heightens the chances of a stillbirth.

Excess weight is also a factor in infertility and a number of mothers who try for a second baby find it much harder to fall pregnant than the first time round. Excess weight can cause hormone imbalances in the main fertility hormones (oestrogen and progesterone), says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown which may in part explain this phenomenon.

To find out more about Nutritional support during or before your pregnancy, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2. I have also written a free e-book on how you can improve your diet during your pregnancy, which can be obtained by clicking on my link.

What are stretch marks and how to avoid them during pregnancy

According to NHS direct, between 75% and 90% of women develop stretch marks during pregnancy, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy. As you put on weight, your abdomen (stomach) is gradually stretched further and further, usually causing stretch marks to appear in the sixth or seventh month. Stretch marks can also appear on your thighs, and on your breasts as they get bigger and heavier.

Stretch marks are lines on the skin that start off as raised red lines. They then turn purple, before slowly fading into flat silvery streaks. The medical name for this type of mark is stria. Stretch marks happen when the skin is stretched a lot over a short period of time, such as during pregnancy.

Doctors think some people get stretch marks because their bodies produce more of the hormone, coricosteroid, than normal. This hormone decreases the amount of collagen in the skin, which is a type of protein in the fibres of the skin that keeps it stretchy.

In the early stages, stretch marks can sometimes be reduced by moisturising creams – especially those containing vitamins A and E, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown. Consequently, it would stand to reason that including foods rich in these vitamins during your pregnancy would help to avoid getting stretch marks in the first place. Other important skin nutrients include Zinc, silica and water.

As corticosteroid is a stress hormone, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, taking steps to reduce stress during pregnancy may also help.

To find out more about Nutritional support during or before your pregnancy, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2. I have also written a free e-book on how you can improve your diet during your pregnancy, which can be obtained by clicking on my link.

Sperm Abnormalities Due to Low Folate Intake

A study published in the Journal Human Reproduction has reported that a diet low in folate leads to a higher risk of sperm abnormalities that may cause birth defects like Down's Syndrome or miscarriage.

Numerous studies have advocated women of child bearing age, who are pregnant or thinking about having a baby should supplement 400mcg of folic acid, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy. However, researchers are now stressing the importance of folate in men’s diet as low folate levels can be the cause of abnormal sperm.

The researchers found that several micronutrients were associated with a lower frequency of different abnormalities. High folic acid intake was associated with 19% fewer abnormalities (all types) than moderate intake and 20% fewer than men with a low micronutrient intake. There were also reductions in specific types of abnormality. For example, there were 26% fewer sperm with no sex chromosome in the high-intake group compared with the low-intake group. There were also 30% fewer sperm with two X chromosomes (associated with triple X syndrome) and abnormalities on chromosome 21 (associated with Down’s syndrome) in the high-intake group compared with the moderate-intake group.

High total zinc intake reduced the frequency of two X chromosomes by about 50% compared with the moderate-intake group and 39% compared with the low-intake group. Zinc was not associated with lowering the risk of other abnormalities. Vitamin C and vitamin E had no association with sperm abnormalities, but high beta-carotene intake reduced YY abnormalities.

The message is clear, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, a man’s diet is just an important as that of his partner when planning to have a baby.

To find out more about Nutritional support during or before your pregnancy, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown. Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2. I have also written a free e-book on how you can improve your fertility and diet during your pregnancy, which can be obtained by clicking on my link.

What is a Molar Pregnancy?

A molar pregnancy or hydatidiform mole comes about from an abnormal proliferation of foetal rather than maternal tissue, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy. It is rare, occurring in around 1 in 2000 pregnancies in the UK.

Most signs and symptoms occur between 9 and 13 weeks and are often confused with symptoms of a normal pregnancy and, thus, are often disregarded.

The two most important diagnostic tools to detect this disease are the ultrasound and a markedly raised beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (BHCG) blood test. Treatment includes dilation and evacuation of the uterus and strict follow-up of BHCG blood levels.

A hydatidiform mole is often harmless. However, it can keep growing and, if left untreated, can bury itself into the organs around it, including the uterus (womb) and even spread via the blood to other distant organs including the lungs, liver or brain. It is, once it has reached this stage that it can have serious effects and is referred to as Persistent Gestational Trophoblastic disease.

What causes it?
Molar pregnancy is thought to be caused by a problem with the genetic information of an egg or sperm. Factors that may increase your risk of having a molar pregnancy include:
¨ Age. Risk for complete molar pregnancy steadily increases after the age of 35
¨ History of molar pregnancy, particularly if you've had two or more
¨ Possible ovulatory disorders
¨ History of miscarriage
¨ A diet low in carotene (a form of vitamin A). Women with low carotene or vitamin A intake have a higher rate of complete molar pregnancy
¨ Living in certain geographic locales (especially Southeast Asia and Mexico)

As it may be an ovulatory disorder and a deficiency of vitamin A may contribute the disorder, nutritional therapy (diet and supplement therapy) may help prevent future recurrences of this condition, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown.

To find out more, please contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT). Melody offers pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2.

PCOS helped by vitamin B therapy

A recent study was undertaken among women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. It was hypothesised, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy, that intervention using an isoform of inositol (myo-inositol), belonging to the vitamin B complex, would improve the insulin-receptor activity, restoring normal ovulatory function.

PCOS is often characterized by lack of ovulation or an absence of periods. In addition, 30-40% of PCOS women have impaired glucose tolerance, and a defect in the insulin signaling pathway seems to be implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. PCOS patients are subfertile as a consequence of such ovulatory disorders, which makes pregnancy very difficult and often need drugs, such as clomiphene citrate or follicle-stimulating hormone, for ovulation induction, which increases the risk of multiple pregnancy and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

The outcome of the study demonstrated that twenty-two out of the 25 (88%) patients restored at least one spontaneous menstrual cycle during treatment, of whom 18 (72%) maintained normal ovulatory activity during the follow-up period and a total of 10 pregnancies (40% of patients) were obtained.

It is known says, UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, that vitamin therapy as well and dietary changes can help with PCOS and glucose tolerance.

To find out more, please contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT). Melody offers pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2.

Think twice about IVF – having twins or multiple births can seriously affect the health of your babies

A quarter of IVF babies are twins or triplets and multiple births are nearly 20 times higher as a result of assisted conception than when it happens spontaneously, say UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy.

However babies who share a womb with siblings (be it twins or triplets) are far more likely to be born prematurely - and this brings with it a series of risks.

Twins are seven times more likely to die in the first few weeks of life than their singleton counterparts, and are six times more likely to develop cerebral palsy.

Care for babies born with disability or who develop them later on can pose a serious financial and emotional strain on parents, not to mention the cost of IVF treatment which can cost between £4,000-£8,000 per cycle.

Improving you nutritional status can help to improve your chances of conception and there is research to prove it, say UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown. Just one example is a study at the University of Surrey consisting of several hundred would-be parents with a history of fertility problems. They were put on tailor-made holistic pre-conceptual care programmes focussing principally on diet, vitamin and mineral supplementation and avoidance of environmental toxins. A stunning 81% of those who took part went on to produce healthy babies. This make the holistic approach 2 ½ times more effective than IVF!

To find out more, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2. I have also written a free e-book on how you can improve your fertility and chances of becoming pregnant naturally, which can be obtained by clicking on my link.

Smoking - reduce the risk to your baby by quitting within the first 5 months of your pregnancy

Recent research suggests that if mothers to be quit smoking within the first five months of their pregnancy then the damage done to their babies may not be as severe compared to the negative health affects among babies whose mothers have smoked throughout their pregnancy, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy.

The study does not suggest for one minute that smoking is safe, but that most damage is done to babies in the last 4 months where growth of the baby (and brain development) is most evident.

If you smoke throughout your pregnancy says, UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown:

¨ There is a higher risk of miscarriage, complications during pregnancy and complications during labour in women, and
¨ A baby is on average 4lb lighter. As low-weight babies have a higher risk of death (such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS) and disease in childhood, this is extremely serious.

There are many ways nutritional therapy can help support you while giving up smoking, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown. As smoking can upset your blood sugar balance, one of the first things I look at, are ways to regulate your blood sugar. Many foods can also upset your blood sugar levels, as well as other stimulants such as coffee, tea, alcohol and chocolate. There are also a number of supplements that may help reduce your craving for nicotine.

To find out more, please contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT). Melody offers pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2.

IVF may pass on genetic reasons for infertility

According to Professor Jens Peter Ellekilde Bonde, a professor of occupational medicine at Aarhus University in Denmark, and Professor Jørn Olsen, a professor of epidemiology at the University of California, countries using IVF such as Britain is facing an infertility timebomb because the increasing use of IVF means that couples with inherited fertility problems are able to have children and pass the condition on to the next generation.

Around one per cent of all births in Britain are the result of IVF or donor insemination, which means that around 11,000 babies are born annually after fertility treatment, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy. Each cycle of IVF costs between £4,000 and £8,000 and success rates are almost 30 per cent for women under the age of 35.

However, there are many other non-genetic reasons why you may not be able to conceive – such as anovulation (irregular or lack of ovulation) or poor sperm quality, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown. Furthermore, there any many nutritional steps you can take to improve your chances of conception and much research to prove it. Just one example is a study at the University of Surrey consisting of several hundred would-be parents with a history of fertility problems. They were put on tailor-made holistic pre-conceptual care programmes focussing principally on diet, vitamin and mineral supplementation and avoidance of environmental toxins. A stunning 81% of those who took part went on to produce healthy babies. This make the holistic approach 2 ½ times more effective than IVF!

To find out more, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2.

Lack of adequate ovulation may be responsible for up to 40% of women with infertility

Ovulation occurs on a regular basis in women that menstruate at intervals between twenty-three and thirty-four days, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy.

Any menstrual cycle length below or above this range is frequently associated with anovulation (i.e lack of ovulation). There are various conditions that can result in anovulation in women including polycystic ovarian disease (PCOS), advanced reproductive age, hypo or hyperthyroidism, elevated levels of the hormone prolactin production, physical and emotional stress, the use of certain medications, in particular medications associated with an increase in Prolactin production and neurotransmitter alteration.

Altering your diet can help with anovulation in many cases by balancing hormone levels, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, and by reducing internal stressors on the body. For example, stress can contribute to high prolactin levels and certain foods or drinks can increase stress such as caffeinated products – coffee, tea, chocolate – eating unrefined carbohydrates such as white rice and bread and insufficient fruit and vegetables (which is very low according to the Foods Standards agency with the vast majority of us not meeting the basic 5 a day principle).

To find out more, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2.

Why might maternal stress affect your unborn baby?

The answer says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy is the communication of the blood of the mother and your baby via the umbilical cord.

A baby gets both the good (e.g. nutrients and oxygen) and the bad from the mother’s blood. The bad components of the blood can include alcohol, nicotine, illicit drugs, prescription drugs, and stress chemicals, such as cortisol and noradrenaline.

Animal and human studies appear to indicate that stress leads to depression. In other words, chronic stress in the mother's womb (in utero) or early deprivation (separation from the mother by putting a baby into another room and leaving them to cry) can predispose a person to developing clinical depression in later life. Furthermore, stress hormones can actually decrease brain connections and even the number of brain cells in crucial areas, such as the limbic system, which are in part responsible for emotion, behaviour and long-term memory. This loss of brain connections and cells can then lead to further maladaptive (inadequate adjustment) responses to stress. In other words, the stress response is inappropriate and a person may not learn as easily to cope with stressors (which are normal and are part and parcel of growing up) and successfully adapt to them.

Making the correct food choices can also reduce the amount of stress you and your baby will experience says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, as it provides you with the correct nutrients to deal with stress more effectively. For example, many people become more irritable and feel low or depressed as a result of having a blood sugar imbalance. Further, an estimated 1 in 10 mothers experience some form of post-natal depression and how you feel directly impacts on how your baby may feel. This can be helped or possibly avoided by making the best dietary choices for you. This is especially important when you are about to have a baby. I know from experience that sleep deprivation is a huge stressor!

To find out more about Nutritional support during or before your pregnancy, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2. I have also written a free e-book on how you can improve your diet during your pregnancy, which can be obtained by clicking on my link.

Taking a vitamin supplement can significantly reduce your chances of having a premature baby

More evidence has come to light regarding the importance of ensuring your diet has sufficient foods containing B vitamins before and during your pregnancy says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy.

Research has shown that if you consume sufficient folic acid for a year before becoming pregnant it can cut your risk of having a premature baby. This is important as being born too early is the most common reason for mortality in babies. UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown always recommends a supplement containing 400mcg (micrograms) of folic acid daily and health care professionals have long recommended it to mums because it can reduce the risk of birth defects.

As many women do not know they are pregnant for some weeks it is essential that folic acid is taken all the time and especially if you know that you are trying to have a baby.

Folic acid is in most pre-natal and multi-vitamins. It can also be found in foods like fortified cereal, leafy green vegetables and orange juice. While folic acid is widely accepted by health experts worldwide, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, there are a number of other nutrients that would hugely benefit both mums and babies, especially where there is a risk of allergies (such as eczema, asthma and hayfever) in families. Furthermore, nutrients like folic acid work better if taken with other members of the B vitamin family.

Consequently, seeking pre-conceptual care advice may help considerably to avoid having a premature baby, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown.

Consumption of caffeine increases risk of miscarriage

A US study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has found that 200mg of caffeine a day - approximately 3 cups of coffee - doubles the risk of miscarriage compared to women who avoid caffeinated products while pregnant. This is in line with other studies which have previously highlighted the risks of caffeine intake.

However, at present the current Food Standards Agency recommendation is an upper limit during pregnancy of 300mg - or four cups of coffee a day.

“As miscarriage is most likely to occur during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy”, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy, “I would advise giving up caffeine completely if you are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant. Fortunately, as I know from experience, many women go off the taste of caffeine, so giving up caffeine may not seem as hard as you think. However, as caffeine is present in so many foods and drink sources (see table below), if you have trouble giving up or cutting down on caffeinated products seeing a Nutritionist may help. This is particularly relevant if you have a history of miscarriage.”

According to the Foods Standards Agency, 300mg of caffeine is roughly equivalent to:
Four average cups or three average mugs of instant coffee
Three average cups of brewed coffee
Six average cups of tea
Eight cans of regular cola drinks
Four cans of so-called "energy" drinks
400g (eight standard 50g bars) of normal chocolate
Please note that caffeine content in a cup of tea or coffee varies by different brands and brewing methods

To find out more about Nutritional support during or before your pregnancy, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2. I have also written a free e-book on how you can improve your diet during your pregnancy, which can be obtained by clicking on my link.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7195500.stm