Recent statistics have shown that the average age for first-time mothers is over 30 years old. Experts have noted that prioritising education and careers, financial worries, uncertainty over job security, and unstable relationships can contribute to women delaying having children.
We asked three camexpo speakers what techniques they would advise to practitioners with clients who may be having fertility issues.
Dr Marilyn Glenville PhD
Dr Marilyn Glenville PhD, UK’s leading nutritionist, specialising in women’s health
Modern, busy lifestyles, career goals, travel plans … no wonder women are delaying motherhood! We know that fertility decreases with age for women (it does for men too but not so drastically) and that for women the amount of eggs (her ovarian reserve) is set and can’t be altered because the store was established in her body since before she were born but, and this is the big but, she can definitely change the quality of her eggs.
Research has shown that making changes in diet and lifestyle for both the woman and her partner can increase their chances of conceiving either naturally or with IVF. As well as eating a healthy diet, it is important to know that certain substances can lower fertility. Both caffeine and alcohol can affect fertility for both men and women.
As well as looking at diet and lifestyle there is now a great deal of scientific knowledge about the use of nutritional supplements and their beneficial effects on boosting fertility. The most important nutrients for fertility are zinc, folic acid, selenium, vitamin E, vitamin C, Omega 3 fatty acids for both men and women plus two amino acids, arginine and carnitine specifically for boosting male fertility. For information on how to increase the chances of conceiving naturally see my book ‘Getting Pregnant Faster’.
See Marilyn Glenville at camexpo: Diet and DNA: using the power of nutrigenomics (Sep 24, Keynote Theatre) & Natural alternatives to sugar (Sep 25).
Clare Blake
Clare Blake N.D, founder of Fertility Massage Therapy & Training
Clients presenting with fertility issues can be for a number of reasons. If your client is 30+ and has been trying to conceive for over 6 months, your first port of call should be to assess their emotional and physical state and refer them to practitioners that can support them with nutrition, Herbs or emotions.
If you’re a massage therapist, you can bring focus to their lower back and abdomen to help increase circulation, release tension and break down scar tissue.
80% of our immune system resides in our digestive tract. Statistics show that a high percentage of fertility issues are due to an imbalanced immune system. The older we get, the more chance we’ve had to negatively impact our immune system with foods, alcohol, caffeine and stress - weakening our immunity.
Nerves within the lower back feed directly to the reproductive and digestive system, linking all 3 areas. For example, if we suffer a digestive complaint it is likely you will also experience either back or reproductive conditions. Massaging these areas will assist the function of all abdominal and pelvic systems thus improving fertility.
Fertility Massage Training teaches specific techniques to physically and emotionally treat fertility clients, to support them on their fertility journey.
See Clare Blake at camexpo: Fertility: massage therapy (Sep 24, Taster Workshop) & Rebozo for bodyworkers (Sep 25).
Denise Tiran
Denise Tiran, educational director for Expectancy
Infertility - or more correctly, sub-fertility - is a growing problem. Women leave it late to start a family but don’t always prepare well. They’re physically and emotionally stressed – and stress hormones suppress reproductive hormones. Any therapies which relax the woman (and her partner) are helpful - massage, shiatsu, hypnosis, etc. Consulting a nutritionist or homeopath for help with rebalancing nutrients in the body is advised, and folic acid and multivitamins are a must for six months prior to pregnancy (Department of Health recommendation).
It’s important to understand the causes of sub-fertility before commencing treatment. Some women would benefit from acupuncture to rebalance internal energies. Reflexology can be relaxing but is no guarantee of overcoming true sub-fertility – it reduces stress hormones, may aid ovulation and facilitate homeostasis but won’t unblock blocked fallopian tubes or help if the uterus is mis-shapen.
Once a woman is undergoing medical infertility treatment, no therapy should be performed whilst taking ovulation-inducing drugs, or again once fertilised eggs are re-implanted in the uterus, until either, the pregnancy becomes established or a menstrual period has occurred.
See Denise Tiran at camexpo: Aromatherapy in pregnancy and childbirth (Sep 24, Taster Workshop).
Research sources:
Your Fertility: http://yourfertility.org.au/for-women/age/
Daily Mail: www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2968560/Average-age-UK-mother-34-number-babies-born-falls-seven-year-low.html
Express: www.express.co.uk/news/uk/591443/First-time-mums-older-average-age-over-30
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