Perinatal Naturopathy
Introducing Our Naturopaths Emma Sutherland and Olivia Ford
Naturopathy is a natural form of medicine that incorporates nutrition, herbal medicine, homoeopathy and lifestyle modification in order to restore and optimise health and prevent disease. Naturopaths treat the individual person according to their specific needs and address the underlying factors of a disease or complaint, rather than just the symptoms.
Emma and Olivia are fully qualified Naturopaths, having completed four years of training in Herbal Medicine, Nutrition and Homoeopathy as well as a Bachelor of Health Science. They treat a wide variety of conditions for both men and women and have a specific interest in female reproductive health.
Emma and Olivia are registered Naturopaths with memberships to both the Australian Traditional Medicine Society and the National Herbalists Australian of Australia. Rebates are available with most health funds.
Modalities:
- Naturopathy
- Homeopathic Family Medicine
- Western Herbal Medicine
- Nutritional Medicine
Areas of Specialty:
- Preconception care to help you achieve a natural, healthy conception
- Infertility and IVF natural health support
- Pregnancy nutrition
- Nutritional and herbal medicine for pregnancy and postnatal health
- Homeopathy for pregnancy, labour and breastfeeding
- Reproductive health care and treatments for specific hormonal problems such as endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, adenomyosis, fibroids, low libido, dysmenorrhea and menstrual irregularities
- Natural Children’s Health
Articles by our Naturopath Emma Sutherland:
Pregnancy and Childbirth by Emma Sutherland
Homeopathy is ideal for women in their child-bearing years as it is a gentle yet highly effective system of medicine. During pregnancy some women will choose to live with the discomfort of minor complaints such as morning sickness or heartburn, rather than seek treatment because they are concerned about the possible side effects of orthodox medicines with regard to their unborn child.
Homeopathic medicines cannot cause side effects because only a minute amount of the active ingredient is used in their preparation. They work by stimulating the body's own healing powers. Homeopaths recognise that symptoms of ill health are expressions of disharmony within the whole person and that it is the person who needs treatment rather than the disease alone.
By stimulating the vitality of a pregnant woman, homeopathic treatment will automatically benefit her baby. By being as healthy as possible during pregnancy you are giving your baby the ideal conditions in which to thrive. Many homeopaths will advise you on diet and lifestyle to encourage a healthy pregnancy and birth. Good homeopathic treatment prior to conception can help you be as healthy as possible during your pregnancy.
The many physical and emotional changes of pregnancy may cause minor health problems, such as mild urinary problems, diarrhoea, heartburn, anaemia, varicose veins, backache, cramps, thrush or emotional distress. All these problems and more potentially complicated symptoms such as raised blood pressure or oedema, can still be helped by professional homeopathic treatment.
How can homeopathy help during the birth?
There are many effective remedies that can help deal with possible problems during childbirth, such as a cervix which is slow to dilate, pain, excessive bleeding, retained placenta and other difficulties. These need to be prescribed for by an experienced homeopath. Ask your homeopath to supply a labour kit with instructions so that your partner can give them to you during the labour.
Healing after the birth
After the birth you can use homeopathic remedies to speed healing for yourself and your baby - this will help you to enjoy the whole experience more.
Can homeopathy help with breastfeeding problems?
Yes it can. There are some problems that can make it difficult for women to breastfeed successfully including mastitis, painful nipples and a slow milk supply.
Treating Babies
Babies tend to respond quickly to homeopathic treatment. There are homeopathic remedies to help relieve the pains of colic or teething, nappy rash and as well as more serious problems. You will need to consult a homeopath if you want homeopathic treatment for your baby.
Homeopathic Birthing Kits
Homeopathic remedies are safe, gentle and effective to use before, during and after labour. Birthing kits can be made specifically for each patient’s requirements. These are available from Southside Health and Wellbeing.
What is Preconception Health Care? By Emma Sutherland
‘Is preconception health care a new idea?’
The Ancient Greeks and Romans knew that alcohol taken before and around the time of conception was damaging to the later development of the foetus. Many traditional societies fed special diets to their young women and men of childbearing age. Veterinarians, stockbreeders and farmers all practice preconception health care.
‘Why is there renewed interest in this practice now?’
At present, one couple in six is infertile, one woman in five will suffer a miscarriage, one baby in ten is born prematurely, one in thirty is born with a congenital defect. At least one child in every ten suffers from a learning or behaviour problem, one child in five suffers from asthma, and yet the combined evidence of many eminent researchers shows that conditions such as infertility, miscarriage, low birth weight, premature birth, malformation, breastfeeding difficulties, learning problems, allergies and many more are often preventable with preconception health care.
‘Are there any studies which demonstrate the effectiveness of preconception health care?’
Foresight (www.foresight.co.uk), the Association for the Promotion of Preconception Care was established in the UK in 1978. They are presently conducting a study in conjunction with Surrey University that will involve over 1100 couples, but an earlier study, which ran for two years and involved 367 couples, was completed in 1992. When the couples came to Foresight, 59% of them had some previous adverse reproductive history, including miscarriage (38%) and infertility (37%) [ranging from one to ten years standing]. By the end of the study, 89% of all the couples had given birth, including 81% of those who were previously ‘infertile’. No baby was born before 36 weeks, none was lighter than 2368g. There were no miscarriages, no perinatal deaths and no malformations. No baby was admitted to Special Care. It is worth noting that in a population sample of the same size who practice no preconception health care, we would expect to see about 70 miscarriages and 12 malformations.
‘What are the benefits of preconception health care?’
Preconception health care can help to –
- improve fertility and resolve infertility in both men & women
- ensure a normal, healthy full-term pregnancy (prevent miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth)
- ensure a natural unmedicated birth
- avoid postnatal depression
- ensure successful breastfeeding
- ensure a very happy, healthy baby
- avoid birth defects
‘What is the most important aspect of preconception health care?’
Probably the most important aspect is that it involves both partners equally. Another very fundamental aspect of preconception health care is improving nutrition. Every aspect of reproductive health, from formation of sperm and maturation of ova, right through to the production of good quality breast milk, is dependant on an adequate supply of vitamins, trace minerals and essential amino and fatty acids. However, refined modern diets, common lifestyle factors and environmental pollution can seriously compromise an individual’s nutritional status.
For example, a CSIRO study showed that the diets of 67% of Australian women were below the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for zinc, yet of all the elemental micronutrients or trace elements, zinc has the widest range of essential functions. It is involved in over 200 enzyme systems in the body and is needed for all aspects of reproductive function.
‘What else does preconception health care involve?’
There are a number of other areas that require attention, and they may include –
- screening for essential trace elements (eg zinc & iron) and for toxic metals (eg lead & mercury)
- avoiding everyday environmental hazards
- avoiding common social poisons (eg cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine)
- exercising regularly, reducing stress, thinking positively
- using naturopathic medicine to treat reproductive and fertility problems in both prospective parents
- detoxifying
- treating food and chemical allergies
- treating infection, especially that of the genito-urinary type
- using Natural Fertility Management (avoiding oral contraceptives, IUDs)
- undergoing standard medical preconception checks (eg rubella)
‘How long before pregnancy do we need to practice preconception health care?’
Since sperm formation can take up to 116 days, and since ova are susceptible to damage for about 100 days before ovulation, preconception health care for both partners needs to be in place for a minimum period of four months immediately preceding any attempt to conceive.
‘How do we get started?’
You can begin by reading the book ‘Natural Way to Better Babies’ by Francesca Naish and Janette Roberts (Random House). This book is designed to be used as a self-help guide and will help you get started in making changes in lifestyle and diet before you see us for an appointment. We will then provide in depth and individualised recommendations, supplement regime and herbal medicine.
© Health Equals Vitality 2006
This work is copyright. Use of these materials for any other purposes, including copying or resale, without express permission of the copyright owner, may infringe copyright.
Southside Health & Wellbeing Newsletters
Issue1 - Stress (PDF)
Issue2 - Women’s Health Issues (PDF)
Issue3 - How To Avoid Nasty Winter Viruses (PDF)
Issue4 - Children's Health (PDF)
Issue5 - Otitis Media (PDF)
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