My ‘Trimester Zero’
Here is my own experience preparing to conceive, or ‘Trimester Zero’
If only it was that simple!
Apparently this is what the kids are now calling preconception care and it’s a quick and easy 3 month detox! So trendy and convenient, imagine if we could just schedule our lives like this!
It’s been a long road.
My TTC journey started 10 years ago when I saw 28, I was naive and preconception care was non existent. I went in with simply a huge dose of self confidence and optimism. About 5 years ago in the depths of disappointment, shock and fear, I followed every rule, every protocol, saw my naturopath, nutritionalist, acupuncturist and specialist weekly.
From naive to informed.
It’s these experiences that make me something of a tried and true expert in TTC! To this day, I tell my clients that what you put in every month is cumulative, you don’t lose that even if you bleed. That healthy eating, self care, rest, supplements and deep listening all add up and make you the woman you are at the end of the month, no matter what.
Focussing on me.
The last few years my focus has been on rebuilding and boosting myself up as woman. Following goals, dreams, charm and pleasure. Imagining, and living, a life that was fulfilling without children.
Bloods, supplements and support.
In the months before conception I had such supplement fatigue that I was taking the bare minimum prenatal, CoQ10, Fish Oil and iron. For my clients, I recommend getting a series of foundational bloods done with your GP. From there, we might investigate the partner, and slowly introduce minimally invasive testing such as a tubal patency assessment (HyCoSy) just to make sure you have the foundations and pathways you’ll need to continue confidently trying to conceive.
CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) is a potent antioxidant often recommended to improve egg quality and reducing oxidative stress, especially beneficial for women over 35 or those with low ovarian reserve.
I’m a big fan of liver supplements, a highly nutrient-dense, offering concentrated Vitamin A (retinol), B12, folate, iron, and zinc, which support hormone balance, egg quality, and preconception health.
In the past I’ve used and enjoyed Melatonin for its potent antioxidant properties, which help protect eggs and sperm from oxidative damage, potentially improving embryo quality and IVF success rates.
There are a range of hormones and medications that can also be used to support a natural cycle if you have the right foundation and I can connect you with a specialist who’ll talk you through your options.
Assisted Reproductive Therapy… of sorts.
Having done my fair share of ICSI, IVF, frozen transfers and medicated cycles in the past, I decided to follow a medication protocol I’d used with my specialist earlier in the year when I’d gotten pregnant and miscarried, with a few tweaks based on my gut instinct. I tracked my cycle, medicated myself accordingly. Please note this is not something I advise anyone else to do! This was a last hurrah, a clear out of the cupboards and the result of many, many cycles with my fertility specialists over the years.
A shared responsibility.
My husband was onboard, we calendarised the days and dates so he knew exactly what the next four weeks involved, both in terms of his contribution and my schedule of jabs, uppers and downers.
As women we tend to carry the mental and physical load of a TTC cycle, and I always encourage my clients to explain and share the process with their partner (even if they’re not ‘required’ to contribute) so that you don’t have to explain or justify why you’re feeling how you are, day to day, week to week, emotionally and physically.
A miracle in the unknown.
I still don’t know exactly what made this little soul stick and we’ll never really know. There is still a magic of the perfect timing, environment, genetic and cosmic alignment that makes every life a miracle.
I consult and support women trying to conceive with a blend of conversation, investigative pathways and nervous system regulation through bodywork and yoga.
I’ll be your TTC bestie, available both online or in person in Hobart, Tasmania.
- Alex