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CONTACT Center for Integrative Medicine 908 New Hampshire Ave Suite 200 Washington, DC 20037 (202) 833-5055 office (202) 833-5755 fax Send Us 
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| PreConception |
You are here: Welcome to the Center > PreConception
Pregnancy and childbirth are the most natural processes in the world. Without any help at all, most couples conceive, have normal pregnancies, and deliver healthy babies. But, ever since statistics have been kept, we have learned that 20% to 30% of couples are unable to conceive without assistance, and 15% - 20% of all pregnancies are not successful. They end in miscarriage, stillbirth, or a baby with congenital defects. In the past decade, research by specialists in obstetrics, nutrition, environmental medicine, and psychosocial conditions, has begun to shed light on the reasons.
We now know that what you eat, body composition imbalances, toxins in your environment, urinary tract infections that present no symptoms, and high levels of personal stress, in the period before conception as well as during pregnancy, all have a direct impact on your ability to become pregnant and deliver a healthy baby. These factors apply to both the male and female parent-to-be. The PreConception Program is designed to bring you state-of-the-art information from that research, and a concrete plan that will correct many of the imbalances in your individual lifestyle and health, to maximize your chances for a successful pregnancy.
Who should participate in the PreConception Program?
Men and women who hope and expect to begin a pregnancy in the coming year should participate. If you are a couple experiencing problems with fertility - whether or not you are using IVF - you can expect to increase your chances of pregnancy by taking part in the PreConception Program. At the University of Surrey, England, in a program similar to ours (the Foresight Program), 96% of all couples reported that they had given birth. Of those who reported prior fertility difficulties, 81% also reported successful pregnancies and births.
Couples who are aware of risk factors in their potential pregnancy - because of previous pregnancy loss, age, or other conditions - can reduce the likelihood of a problem pregnancy with the PreConception Program. And if you are a healthy couple, with every reason to expect a healthy pregnancy, you are excellent candidates for the Program. By maximizing your wellness, in ways that you may never have thought of before, you may avoid the 15% - 20% of pregnancies that end unsuccessfully. At Foresight, 100% of the participants who became pregnant reported normal pregnancies and healthy babies. That is, there were no premature births, no congenital malformations, and the potential for healthier children in all aspects. While every couple presents unique issues, with the PreConception Program we are challenging the widely accepted notion that a significant number of pregnancy losses are acceptable and unaviodable.
What kinds of topics will be covered in the program?
Some of the topics explored during the program include:
- Nutrition to improve fertility
- Nutritional analyses (for both partners)
- Drug and alcohol use
- Medicines that decrease fertility
- Becoming aware of your peak fertile times
- Role of exercise in fertility
- Stress management while trying to conceive
- Genetic analyses (as needed)
- Acupuncture
- Herbal medicine
- Massage therapy
- Reiki
- Chiropractic
- Alexander Technique
- Yoga
- Exercise management
- Meditation
How does the PreConception Program complement conventional prenatal preparation?
Three basic components of conventional prenatal care and preparation should be provided by your physician: screening, education and counseling, and immunization and treatment. The PreConception Program expands the screening, education and counseling components of your conventional care, to provide a more comprehensive approach which addresses the many factors that contribute to your fertility. We emphasize prevention efforts that stimulate the body's natural way of conceiving, carrying, and delivering a healthy baby.
PreConception Program Details
Testimonial:
"...After years of unsuccessful effort, R and B became the delighted parents of K (xxx lbs xxx ozs), a healthy, full-term baby girl." See more
