Preparing for IVF

Ideally, we'd start working together at least three months before your planned IVF cycle begins. This is because it takes approximately 90 days for an egg to complete its maturation journey — so the nutritional and lifestyle work we do now has a direct impact on the eggs that will be collected in your retrieval. That said, if you have less time than that, please don't let it stop you from reaching out. Even starting one month out, or during stimulation, can still make a meaningful difference to how your body responds and how you feel throughout the process.

This is one of the most important questions I get asked, and I'm so glad you're asking it. The honest answer is: it depends entirely on the supplement, the dose and where you are in your cycle. Some supplements are absolutely safe and beneficial throughout IVF, while others need to be paused or avoided at specific stages - particularly around egg retrieval and transfer. This is exactly why working with a naturopath who specialises in IVF preparation matters so much. I'll design your protocol with your medications and cycle timeline in mind, and I always communicate openly with your fertility clinic to make sure everything is aligned and safe.

Yes - and this is one of the areas where the research is most exciting. Egg quality is influenced by the nutritional environment the egg matures in over those critical 90 days before retrieval. Specific nutrients - including ubiquinol/ CoQ10, melatonin, NAC, folate, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, among others - have good evidence behind them for supporting mitochondrial function, reducing oxidative stress and improving the conditions in which eggs develop. I'll build a protocol specific to your situation, your test results and your IVF timeline. Not a generic off-the-shelf approach.

Absolutely, and the research backs this up. Studies consistently show that dietary patterns influence IVF success rates, embryo quality and implantation. A Mediterranean-style dietary pattern in particular has strong evidence for improving reproductive outcomes. But beyond broad dietary patterns, what you eat affects your hormonal environment, your inflammatory load, your insulin sensitivity and the nutritional quality of the follicular fluid your eggs are bathed in. We'll build a genuinely practical, enjoyable eating approach that supports your IVF outcomes without making mealtimes feel like a chore.

Yes -and you're not alone in this. Most fertility clinics are exceptional at the medical side of IVF but simply don't have the time or scope to provide detailed nutritional and lifestyle guidance. Naturopathic IVF preparation sits alongside and complements your clinic's care - it doesn't replace it. I'll never recommend anything that conflicts with your specialist's advice, and I'm always happy to liaise with your clinic directly if needed. Think of it as filling an important gap in your care.

Yes - wholeheartedly. A failed cycle is one of the most painful experiences, and navigating what comes next, whether that's trying again, considering other options, or simply taking time to recover, deserves proper support. I'll help you process what happened, look at whether there are any factors we can address differently in the next cycle, and support your body and your nervous system through the recovery period. You won't just be left to figure out the next steps alone.