You’ve tracked your cycle, cleaned up your diet, and tried every supplement TikTok and your fertility group could name.
And yet… month after month, nothing changes.
As a fertility dietitian & nutritionist, I see this every week – individuals & couples doing everything right, just not everything right for them.
Most preconception plans focus on surface-level actions rather than the cellular foundations that determine egg, sperm, and hormone health.
Nutrition isn’t the last thing you try; it’s the first thing that makes everything else work better.
1. Over-Restricting: When ‘Healthy Eating’ Becomes Hormonal Stress
I often see clients who’ve spent years dieting or “clean eating” to the point of depletion.
They’ve cut out carbs or dairy thinking it’ll help – but what they’ve really done is reduce the very nutrients that build progesterone, support ovulation, and stabilise energy.
Your body doesn’t prioritise reproduction when it feels under-fuelled or unsafe.
Fertility is a luxury physiology – it thrives on abundance, not restriction.
Try this: include a slow-release carbohydrate, quality protein, and healthy fat at every meal. Balanced meals build balanced hormones.
2. Over-Supplementing: More Isn’t Better
When couples first see me, it’s not unusual for them to bring in a bag of random supplements, teas, miracle products… the list goes on.
Each one promising better egg quality, but without a personalised plan, supplements can compete or overload the system.
Nutrition isn’t a guessing game. It’s a biochemical equation that changes from person to person.
If you haven’t reviewed your labs or your supplement stack with a qualified fertility dietitian, there’s a good chance you’re either doubling up or missing something critical.
3. Focusing Only on The Female Partner
Around half of all infertility cases involve male factors – yet men are rarely part of the fertility conversation.
I see female partners carry the burden, while their partners quietly assume they’re “fine.”
But sperm is exquisitely sensitive to oxidative stress, heat, poor sleep, diet quality and nutrient deficiencies.
The right nutrition and lifestyle shifts can transform sperm health within months, improving outcomes for natural and assisted conception alike.
Fertility isn’t a female issue. It’s a shared cellular process and nutrition is the one intervention that benefits both sides.
4. Treating Fertility Like a 4-Week Cycle
Eggs and sperm don’t appear overnight.
It takes roughly 90 days for an egg to mature.
During that time, every meal, every night of sleep, and every nutrient absorbed directly influences their DNA, structure, and function.
Yet most people start “eating better” the month they plan to conceive – when the opportunity to influence egg and sperm quality has already passed.
This is what I call the fertility window of opportunity… the 90-day period before conception where nutrition and lifestyle choices have the greatest power to influence outcomes.
5. The Missing Piece: Nutrition as the Foundation, Not the Accessory
Here’s what many fertility journeys get wrong: nutrition is often treated as optional… something to think about after seeing specialists or starting treatment.
But I see it differently.
Nutrition is the foundation on which all fertility treatments sit.
Without the right nutrients, hormones can’t communicate, eggs can’t mature properly, sperm can’t swim efficiently, and implantation may not occur.
I see people go through multiple IVF cycles without ever addressing these fundamentals – spending thousands on technology without first supporting biology!
Working on preconception health isn’t just about conception itself; it’s about giving your baby the best possible start to life.
6. What Actually Works
When individuals and couples come to me, they’re usually exhausted… physically, emotionally, and financially.
They’ve tried every supplement and every cleanse.
But when we slow down and look at their nutrition, labs, and lifestyle through a fertility lens, the picture becomes clear.
We identify silent nutrient gaps, metabolic mismatches, and habits that are unknowingly working against conception.
Then we rebuild… step by step – with evidence-based, culturally inclusive nutrition tailored to both partners.
This is the exact process I take my clients through inside my fertility nutrition coaching program: The PLANT Method™ – transforming ‘doing everything right’ into doing what’s right for you.”
Because when nutrition and biology are finally in sync, conception often stops feeling like a mystery and starts feeling like alignment.
(Learn more about personalised fertility nutrition at poweredbynutrition.au.)
7. The Takeaway
If you’ve been doing everything “right” but still feel stuck, it’s not your fault.
You’re simply following a plan that wasn’t designed for your body, your culture, or your biology.
Fertility is a reflection of nourishment: physical, emotional, and relational.
When we build those foundations properly, conception becomes less about control and more about readiness.
Written by Pooja Adhyaru | Powered By Nutrition™ © 2025.
Pooja Adhyaru, APD, Fertility & Pregnancy Dietitian and founder of Powered By Nutrition™.
🌐 poweredbynutrition.au | Instagram: @fertility.dietitian.australia
When planning for a family, many couples focus on diet and lifestyle changes once pregnancy is confirmed. But one crucial phase often gets overlooked: preconception care. This essential aspect of reproductive health can significantly influence the health of both parents and their future children, even before conception occurs.
Preconception care refers to the nutritional, lifestyle, overall health, environmental impacts, fertility and timing a person/couple undertakes before trying to become pregnant. It’s a proactive approach that optimizes health outcomes, identifies potential risks, and helps ensure a smooth and healthy journey into parenthood.
Laying the Foundation for a Healthy Pregnancy
The first few weeks of pregnancy are critical to fetal development—often before a woman even knows she’s pregnant. During this time, major organs begin to form, and the risk of birth defects is highest. Preconception care ensures that the body is ready to support a pregnancy from day one, helping to reduce risks such as neural tube defects, miscarriage, and low birth weight. Laying this foundation of health also has lifelong and intergenerational impacts.
Providing optimum nutrition during this time increases the chances of conceiving, supports the health of the mother during pregnancy, the growth and development of your baby and supports your recovery and the ongoing development of your child.
For a healthy pregnancy you need a healthy egg, healthy sperm, a healthy, luscious uterine lining for the fertilised egg to implant and a good supply of essential nutrients to nourish the growth of that embryo.
It takes up to 3½ months for sperm to generate and eggs to mature, so preconception care recommendations are best started 3-6 months before trying to conceive. This will allow maximum uptake of nutrients, detoxification and help you to physically and emotionally prepare for pregnancy and parenthood.
Managing Chronic Health Conditions
Many chronic conditions—like diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders, or autoimmune diseases—can complicate pregnancy if not properly managed. Preconception care involves reviewing and optimizing treatment plans to reduce risks to both the mother and the baby. For example, high blood sugar levels in the early weeks of pregnancy can increase the risk of birth defects and miscarriage. Managing these conditions before conception gives both mother and baby the best possible start.
Supplement and Medication Review
Certain medications that are safe under normal circumstances may pose risks during pregnancy. A preconception visit allows healthcare providers to review all prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements to ensure safety. Certain supplements are recommended both before and during pregnancy to support the growth and development of the egg, sperm and foetus and support the health of the mother. Ideally, this should begin at least 3 months before conception, even earlier if possible.
Addressing Lifestyle Factors
Preconception care provides a structured opportunity to evaluate lifestyle habits that could impact fertility and pregnancy. These may include:
• Smoking, caffeine and alcohol consumption, all of which can affect fertility and increase the risk of complications.
• Diet and nutrition, to ensure adequate intake of essential vitamins, omega 3’s and minerals.
• Exercise habits, maintaining a healthy weight and improving overall well-being.
• Underlying health issues, these can include gut issues and the gut and vaginal microbiome, thyroid imbalance, sleep disturbance, immune issues. These can lead to hormone imbalances, nutrient absorption issues, increased risk of implantation issues and higher miscarriage rates to name a few.
• Mental health, as stress, anxiety, and untreated depression can all influence reproductive health, hormone balance and parenting readiness.
Optimising and Improving Fertility Outcomes
For couples struggling with infertility, preconception care can identify underlying issues early. Hormonal imbalances, irregular cycles, or sexually transmitted infections can all affect the ability to conceive.
Partner Involvement
Preconception care isn’t just for women. Men’s health also plays a significant role in fertility and pregnancy outcomes. Poor diet, smoking, alcohol use, and exposure to environmental toxins can affect sperm quality. Including male partners in preconception health discussions ensures that both individuals are contributing to a healthy start for their child.
Personalised preconception care takes a holistic, individualised approach to preparing the body, mind, and spirit for conception. It recognizes that each person’s fertility journey is unique, shaped by their lifestyle, environment, emotional health, and physical constitution. Rather than simply addressing symptoms, naturopathic care seeks to uncover and treat the root causes of reproductive imbalances—whether they stem from hormonal disruptions, poor gut health, nutritional deficiencies, toxin exposure, or chronic stress. Through in-depth consultations, functional testing, and careful observation, a naturopathic practitioner develops a tailored plan that may include herbal medicine, therapeutic nutrition, detoxification support, lifestyle advice, advice about reducing exposure to environmental toxins and mind-body practices. This whole-person approach not only enhances fertility but also promotes long-term wellness, creating an optimal foundation for a healthy pregnancy and healthy child.
Want Personalised Support?
If you’re preparing for conception or IVF, Contact me – Nicole Haak | Naturopathy for fertility, hormone imbalance, gut and thyroid health for a free 15 minute discovery call to discover how I can support you to optimise your pregnancy success with personalised preconception care.
Preconception care is about more than just getting ready to have a baby—it’s about empowering individuals and couples to take control of their reproductive health, reduce preventable risks, and set the stage for a healthy family. A little preparation today can lead to a lifetime of benefits for both parents and children.
Author:
Nicole Haak
www.nicolehaak.com.au
No two fertility journeys are the same. Everyone arrives to their first appointment with a different set of circumstances, medical histories, emotional needs and personal goals. That’s why personalised care isn’t optional. It’s essential.
Fertility is complex, and so are you
Fertility treatment involves many variables including, hormone levels, egg quality, sperm health, medical conditions, past interventions, timing, lifestyle and more. These factors can interact in complex ways and look different for every person or couple.
Take, for example, a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Her treatment plan will likely be very different from someone with low ovarian reserve. Similarly, a same-sex couple exploring donor options will have their own unique considerations. There’s no standard route, and nor should there be.
Evidence and empathy working together
Personalisation isn’t just about adjusting hormone doses or choosing between IVF, ICSI or IUI. It’s also about taking the time to listen, to understand what matters most to you, such as your values, goals and emotional readiness.
Some prefer to start with the least invasive options. Others feel time is critical and want to move straight to more advanced treatment. Both approaches are valid. What matters is that your choices are respected and your care is guided by both clinical insight and genuine understanding.
Better outcomes through tailored pathways
Research consistently shows that tailoring fertility treatment to the individual leads to better outcomes. This could mean selecting a stimulation protocol that aligns with your egg reserve, recommending targeted tests to uncover hidden factors, or adjusting the timing of treatment to suit your life.
Fertility care shouldn’t take over your world, it should fit into it. It’s about getting the details right. The right treatment, at the right time, for the right person.
When every step is personalised, you get the best possible chance of success.
More than one path to parenthood
Many people assume fertility treatment means IVF. Personalisation starts with exploring all the options. For some, ovulation induction or IUI may be the most effective and least invasive place to start. For others, IVF, with or without genetic testing, might be the right path based on their specific circumstances. For single parents by choice and same-sex couples, donor eggs, sperm or embryos may be part of the journey.
Care that builds confidence
Fertility treatment can feel overwhelming. There are decisions to make, information to process and emotions to navigate. When you know your care has been designed specifically for you, it builds trust in the process and confidence in the plan.
Personalisation at Create Fertility
At Create Fertility, we bring together advanced reproductive science and deeply personalised care. We understand that no two patients are the same, which is why every treatment plan is designed around the individual, their medical profile, personal circumstances and emotional needs.
Whether that means starting with less invasive options like ovulation induction, or progressing to IVF with advanced genetic testing, we focus on what’s right for you. Because your fertility treatment isn’t just about science, it’s about you.
Author:
Dr Scott Pearce
Create Health
Create Fertility
Introducing CycleGuide: Your fertility treatment planning app
Dr Caroline Fiddler is a Doctor and the Founder of the CycleGuide app. At The Melbourne Fertility Expo, you’ll have the opportunity to meet Dr Fiddler and talk to her about how CycleGuide can help you with your fertility treatment planning.
Can you tell us about CycleGuide?
CycleGuide is an innovative, simple and intuitive app to help you organise your fertility treatment instructions.
It’s purpose-built with a pre-cycle checklist to help you prepare for your Day 1 and your IVF cycle (e.g. appointments, ultrasounds, medication). There are several helpful features, including:
• A calendar and a ‘to do list’, so you know exactly what you need to do for each day of your cycle.
• Colour-coded tasks for easy identification and visibility on the calendar.
• Notifications, which can be especially helpful with medication timing.
• Editing function so tasks can easily be deleted or edited (e.g. the duration of medication can be modified).
• Free text. Medication names and directions are entered by you, so that you can enter instructions in a manner that makes sense to you.
CycleGuide is also available for fertility clinics. You can simply enter your fertility instructions from your clinic, or the clinic can send instructions directly to the app on your phone.
Why develop CycleGuide?
I was convinced there had to be a better way to organise my fertility treatment instructions in a more modern, simple and portable manner. I also thought there should be a more direct method for fertility nurses to communicate vital, and sometimes complex, fertility treatment instructions to their patients.
What is CycleGuide’s mission?
There are so many unknowns during IVF. We want to help reduce the anxiety of IVF and help you be organised. CycleGuide helps you take ownership of the aspects of IVF you can control, e.g. following your treatment instructions correctly.
I also want to help fertility staff. As I doctor, I have often been frustrated by the inflexibility and clunkiness of hospital systems. CycleGuide can be integrated into existing clinic systems without the need for new software or upgrades. Treatment instructions can be sent directly from the clinic software to the app on patient’s phones without nurses having to re-enter information. This gives nurses certainty that patients have received the correct information in a timely manner.
Our aim is also to reduce delayed, incorrect or missed injections that may cause a cycle to be cancelled, or modified, leaving guilt or uncertainty for the patient, especially if the cycle is unsuccessful.
Can you share your journey to parenthood?
I never met Mr Right, and I moved around a lot due to medical rotations which is why I didn’t think about children until later on. I saw a fertility specialist when I was 38 to discuss egg freezing but I couldn’t face fertility preservation. In retrospect, it wasn’t explained to me properly. At 40, I saw another fertility doctor and started egg freezing. I asked a friend to donate sperm, and he very kindly agreed.
I had a growing concern however that my doctor wasn’t really invested in my results and that we were just doing the same, or similar protocols, with little direction. I changed fertility doctors to one recommended by a fertility psychologist and I have continued to see this doctor in Victoria. After 2.5 years of IVF, I am now fortunate to be the mother of my daughter Alice who is 20 months old.
I am now going through the process of egg donation from overseas because I have exhausted all of my frozen eggs and embryos. The use of overseas eggs is banned in Victoria, unlike the rest of Australia where it is legal. As such, my IVF team is liaising with a clinic in Albury, NSW.
What are the top things you wish people knew before starting IVF?
I wish all young women, especially those with demanding university degrees and careers, would consider freezing their eggs or visit a fertility doctor to discuss their fertility options.
Also, I encourage you to get a second opinion if you feel your doctor doesn’t have a plan for both short and longer term. It can be hard to tell why things aren’t working or are taking many months/cycles/years to work.
Finally, it can be very difficult to keep hearing pregnancy and birth announcements. There seem to be baby reminders everywhere. I just kept telling myself that I had started the process and to hang in there. It can be very tough though and I encourage you to chat to your fertility clinic for support.
What are you most looking forward to at the Melbourne Fertility Expo?
I’m really looking forward to meeting anyone considering fertility treatment and explaining how CycleGuide can help you with your fertility treatment planning. I’m also excited about being surrounded by enthusiastic fertility professionals and meeting my fellow exhibitors.
As the founder of CycleGuide, can you give us an overview of your role?
My role was to come up with the idea and to have the courage to pursue the app. I then collaborated with Appetiser Apps project managers and designers to create CycleGuide – Your fertility treatment planning app
I recall spreading all my IVF medications, paper instructions from various egg collections and embryo transfers (from different clinics and doctors), over a large table with Appetiser apps staff Jarrod, Sharon and Tovah. We met regularly to discuss the best way to design a simple, clear and flexible app.
For example, one key decision was whether to add a pre-populated list of IVF medications, with a drop-down list to choose from. But my concern was that medications change their name and branding, doctors have different preferences, and medications vary between countries. I liked the idea that patients could add their medications by a name or description that resonated with them. We decided to make it free text and free of medical lingo. Typing in the information also reinforces your treatment instructions to help you follow them correctly.
Where can people learn more about CycleGuide: Your fertility treatment planning app?
You can visit my website CycleGuide or follow us on Instragram @cycleguide ivf app. We’re also on Facebook, Pinterest and LinkedIn.
To download the app, visit CycleGuide: IVF Treatment Mobile App | Appetiser or the Apple store. It’s available in Australia and New Zealand: 7-day free trial, AUD $8.99/month and NZD $9.99/month. For clinics, there’s bulk discounts for 3, 6 and 12-month subscriptions per patient. CycleGuide is currently in progress for the UK, and our aim is to expand globally.
You can also contact me at caroline@cycleguide.com.au and contact@cycleguide.com.au
When a woman starts considering solo motherhood, it’s one of the most courageous and confronting decisions she’ll ever make. It’s not a backup plan, and it’s definitely not giving up on love. It’s choosing not to let time, circumstance, or the absence of a partner stand in the way of becoming a mum.
But while this path is empowering, it’s also filled with emotions that can be hard to put into words, especially in the early stages. That’s where her support network comes in.
Whether you’re a friend, family member, or colleague, here’s what women on this journey wish you knew:
1. She’s not “giving up”.
One of the most common misconceptions is that women are “giving up on love.” Nothing could be further from the truth.
She’s choosing to honour her biological timeline, her emotional wellbeing, and her desire for motherhood, without waiting for the perfect partner, or perfect moment. Even better, she isn’t rushing into a relationship just to have children, which might end up in co-parenting if she doesn’t take the time to ensure she has found the right person for her.
She’s not giving up; she’s stepping up.
If you want to support her, recognise the strength it takes to make this decision. A simple “I’m proud of you for doing what feels right for you” goes a long way.
2. Don’t say “just have a one-night stand”
This is one of the most common and insulting comments women hear when they open up about considering solo motherhood. It might be said jokingly, but it dismisses everything thoughtful, ethical, and deeply personal about this decision.
Suggesting she “just have a one-night stand” implies she should deceive a man into conceiving a baby – something no woman on this path would ever do. It’s not only unethical, but if she knowingly conceives with a man, he is the child’s father and therefore financially liable and legally entitled to custody, regardless of her intentions.
If she doesn’t know who the man is, that creates lifelong consequences for the child, who would grow up never able to access half of their genetic history or medical background.
Choosing to conceive using a donor is an act of responsibility, transparency, and love – for herself and her child. It ensures her child’s right to know where they come from one day and protects everyone involved legally and emotionally.
3. The early stages are the hardest.
The early stages of solo motherhood can be the loneliest. She might be processing grief for the life she imagined, fear about doing it alone, or anxiety about what others will think.
Don’t push for updates or ask how treatment is going – that pressure can feel enormous. Instead, make it clear that you’re there, judgment-free, whenever she’s ready to talk.
Try saying: “You don’t have to share anything before you’re ready. I won’t ask for updates, just know I’m here whenever you want to chat or a distraction.”
That small act of understanding can make her feel safe enough to keep going.
4. Don’t try to fix it.
Most women considering solo motherhood have already spent months (if not years) researching, questioning, and soul-searching. They don’t need advice; they need support.
What she needs are small, tangible gestures:
Drop off dinner during a treatment cycle.
Offer to pick her up from her egg collection.
Ask if she wants company for a scan or appointment.
She’ll tell you what she needs if she feels safe enough to do so, and offering ways you can help her will make it easier for her to ask.
5. Everyone needs a village.
When you become a solo mum, there’s no default co-parent. That’s why finding a like-minded community is so important — other women who get it, without explanation.
The right support network can make all the difference, and it doesn’t have to come from family alone. Online and in-person communities, like the Solo Mum Society Facebook Group, or the Bump membership, provide connection, laughter, support and reassurance that she’s not the only one walking this path.
Encourage her to find her village. Because when she connects with other solo mums, she discovers a world where she finally feels safe to express how she’s feeling without having to explain or justify it.
The bottom line
Solo motherhood isn’t a plan B — it’s a bold, beautiful choice to create life on your own terms.
If someone in your life is walking this path, the best thing you can do is stand beside her, listen without judgment, and remind her she’s not alone.
And if she hasn’t yet found her village, send her to Solo Mum Society — where empowered women become mothers, and mothers become unstoppable.
By Alisha Burns, Founder – Solo Mum Society
Website – www.solomumsociety.com
Instagram – @noneedforprincecharming
Facebook – Solo Mum Society
Podcast – No Need for Prince Charming
Pregnancy is a profound time of change and as the body prepares to grow and nourish new life, nutritional needs shift significantly. Among the most important nutrients are Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, which play vital roles before, during and after pregnancy.
Omega-3s support cell membrane health, regulate inflammatory and immune responses, and strengthen the intestinal barrier, helping to reduce systemic inflammation. For fertility and pregnancy, this is crucial. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPs), the building blocks of fats, are especially important for both mothers and babies. They contribute to brain development¹, nervous system function², and healthy vision³.
With the worlds largest peer reviewed publication on omega 3, Zinzino’s test-based nutrition concept is world-leading. Read more here: https://lipidworld.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12944-025-02676-6
Prenatal supplementation with Omega-3 is recommended at least six months before conception. These nutrients remain just as important throughout pregnancy, after delivery, and during breastfeeding, supporting maternal well-being while also aiding fetal brain and eye development, reducing the risk of preterm birth and promoting healthy growth in infants. Balanced Omega 6:3 ratios provide benefits from preconception right through to all stages of life.
Why BalanceOil+ Stands Out
BalanceOil+ is a premium Omega-3 supplement enriched with olive polyphenols and vitamin D3. Unlike standard fish oil, its high polyphenolic content improves nutrient absorption and protects cells from oxidation. Derived from wild-caught small fish and pre-harvest extra virgin olive oil, BalanceOil+ adjusts and maintains healthy EPA + DHA levels and supports the optimal Omega 6:3 ratio. It also contributes to normal heart², brain¹, and immune⁴ function.
Safety and purity are key during pregnancy. BalanceOil+ is sustainably sourced, molecularly tested for toxins and free from environmental contaminants, making it a safe choice for expectant and new mothers. With its natural taste and easy integration into a smoothie or juice, it’s a convenient daily habit.
With over 15 EFSA-approved health benefits, BalanceOil+ helps women navigate the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy and beyond. It’s more than a supplement. It’s a daily step toward ensuring the body is in its best possible state for motherhood.
Is your omega 6:3 ratio in balance? Test! Don’t guess!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
