Are you ready to try for a baby? “What a strange question!” you might think. “I’ve wanted a baby for ages. Of course, I’m ready!” But there’s more to preparing for pregnancy than simply wanting a child.
Have you considered how optimising fertility through important lifestyle changes can make all the difference? If your answer is “I’m not sure” or even “No,” then read on because what you do before you conceive can influence whether you have a healthy pregnancy and baby.
My Personal Fertility Journey
For those who know me, you’ll remember that my journey to motherhood was long and challenging. After three and a half years of trying, a miscarriage, and countless tears, I finally welcomed my healthy baby boy. That journey taught me just how important preconception health is, which inspired me to share what I’ve learned.
Using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), I was able to balance my hormones, regulate my cycle, and prepare my body to conceive naturally. I hope that by sharing this wisdom, I can help other women experience the joy of motherhood without the struggles I faced.
Why I Wrote an eBook on Preparing for Pregnancy
Looking back, I often think: if only I had known then what I know now, I could have halved my conception journey and perhaps even avoided my miscarriage. When I first started trying for a baby at 37, I conceived quickly, but that pregnancy ended in a loss at 14 weeks.
Out of frustration and a desire to empower others, I wrote my ‘Ready to Try?’ eBook, a comprehensive workbook designed to guide women through the essential steps of preconception health. It’s packed with exercises and insights to help you determine how ready your body is for pregnancy.
I genuinely believe it can save you time, tears, and the heartache of unanswered questions, so if you’re ready, just hit the link to download your free copy today.
The Importance of Preconception Health

Through writing ‘Ready to Try?’, I realised that preconception health is the foundation for a successful and healthy pregnancy. It’s not just about wanting a baby; it’s about preparing your body to nurture and sustain new life.
While often overlooked in modern culture, this preparation is a crucial step that can make all the difference in your fertility journey. So, let’s dive into why preconception health matters and how it has been a cornerstone of holistic wellness.
For centuries, cultures worldwide have honoured the importance of preconception health. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), for example, places a strong emphasis on balancing the body and preparing for pregnancy.
Women were nourished with the best foods to strengthen their bodies and support fertility. Nutrient-rich staples such as bone broths, goji berries, and black sesame seeds enriched blood and balanced Yin and Yang.
Foods like red dates and lotus seeds were prized for nutritional value and calming the mind, while walnuts and seaweed supported kidney and thyroid health, essential for reproductive function. These time-honoured practices remind us of the power of food as medicine—something we can still embrace today to prepare our bodies for this extraordinary journey.
However, these time-tested practices are often forgotten in modern Western culture. Instead, we’re expected to carry on as though nothing has changed, asking our bodies to grow a new life without pause. But this approach overlooks a crucial truth: pregnancy places extraordinary demands on your body.
Did you know that labour alone burns over 3,600 calories? That’s equivalent to running a marathon! By the first trimester, your body must produce an additional 1.5 litres of blood to nourish your baby.
The truth is, this is one of the biggest jobs your body will ever do. Just as you wouldn’t attempt a marathon without proper training, you shouldn’t approach pregnancy without preparation.
So, what does preconception health mean, and how can you start preparing? It’s about creating the best environment for your body to thrive, conceive naturally, and sustain a healthy pregnancy.
Here are some specific actions and steps to get started:
Set a timeline: Dedicate at least 6 months to a year for intentional preconception preparation.
Rule out red flags: Understanding your menstrual health is essential when preparing for pregnancy. Is your cycle regular? Are you experiencing pain, clotting, or other unusual symptoms? These can be signs of underlying issues that need attention. My online course, “An Introduction to Natural Fertility,” will help you identify these red flags and, more importantly, guide you on what steps to take to address them naturally.
Never skip breakfast: It sets the tone for your day, stabilising blood sugar and supporting energy levels.
Start BBT charting: Tracking your basal body temperature (BBT) can help you understand your ovulation patterns and identify the optimal time for conception.
Prioritise your sleep: Aim for a minimum of 8 hours of quality sleep each night to allow your body to rest, repair, and balance hormones.
By taking these steps, you’re preparing your body for pregnancy and the lifelong health and well-being that follows. So, let’s honour the magnitude of this task and embrace the power of intentional preparation. Remember, preparing for pregnancy is more than wise; it’s a gift to yourself and the child you hope to welcome.
4 Steps to Take Before Getting Pregnant
When it comes to preparing for pregnancy, many women focus on what they should start doing, but it’s equally important to take a thoughtful approach and assess what your body truly needs.
Whether changing your diet, addressing nutrient deficiencies, or evaluating your menstrual health, small but intentional steps can make a big difference. Therefore, understanding your unique health profile is the first step to creating the right environment for natural conception.
One of the most common scenarios I see is women taking supplements like prenatal vitamins and folic acid or folate without fully understanding their deficiencies. While it might feel like a proactive step, it’s worth asking yourself: why take a supplement if you don’t know what your body actually needs?
Your body needs a delicate balance of nutrients, hormones, and overall health to support conception and pregnancy. This balance isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s unique to you and influenced by your diet, stress levels, sleep quality, and menstrual health. Therefore, understanding the right steps to take before getting pregnant means identifying and addressing specific needs.
Start with a Basic Blood Test

A basic blood test is an essential first step. It can provide crucial insights into your body’s current state, highlighting deficiencies like iron, vitamin D, B12, or thyroid function.
For example, low iron levels could signal anaemia, which might affect your energy levels and the ability of your blood to carry oxygen, both critical when preparing for pregnancy. Similarly, a vitamin D deficiency can impact hormone regulation and bone health, while thyroid imbalances can interfere with ovulation and menstrual regularity.
Focus on Core Areas to Support Preconception Health
Once you’ve completed a basic blood test and identified any deficiencies, the next step is understanding the core areas your body needs to support conception and pregnancy.
Let’s look at the most important aspects to support your preconception health:
Nutritional building blocks: Your body needs the right nutrients to thrive, and the best way to get them is through food itself. Focus on:
Good quality protein supports cell growth and repairs
Healthy fats regulate hormones and reduce inflammation
A substantial amount of vegetables (aim for 10 a day if you can!) gives your body the vitamins and minerals needed for fertility.
These building blocks lay the groundwork for a healthy pregnancy, so make every meal an opportunity to nourish your body.
Hormonal harmony: Hormones are the conductors of your fertility orchestra. When oestrogen, progesterone, and thyroid hormones are balanced, ovulation and your menstrual cycle run smoothly. Hormonal imbalances can disrupt this delicate process, making it harder to conceive. By focusing on sleep, reducing stress, and eating nutrient-rich foods, you can help your body find balance.
Healthy metabolism: A stable metabolism keeps your energy consistent and your hormones regulated. Blood sugar dips and spikes can send mixed messages to your reproductive system. Think of your metabolism as the fuel for everything else, so keep it steady, and the rest will follow.
Rest and restoration: Sleep is where the magic happens. During deep sleep, your body recalibrates, balances stress hormones like cortisol, and strengthens reproductive hormone regulation. Skimping on sleep robs your body of this vital time to recover and prepare, so make rest a priority! It’s not a luxury; it’s a necessity.
Stress management: Stress is a silent disruptor of fertility. High cortisol levels can delay ovulation or lower progesterone, making it harder to conceive. Deep breathing, guided meditations, or progressive muscle relaxation can calm your mind and body. A calmer you will create a more supportive environment for conception.
Mindfulness practices: Activities like yoga, journaling, or mindful walks in nature do more than just relax you—they help you reconnect with yourself. These moments of mindfulness improve emotional well-being, reduce inflammation, and balance hormones, helping you prepare physically and mentally for pregnancy.
By meeting these needs, you ensure your body is prepared to nurture and carry a full and healthy pregnancy through term. At the end of the day, preconception care isn’t about guesswork; it’s about giving your body the tools it needs to thrive.
Nourish Your Body with Whole Foods
In many cases, simple dietary changes can address deficiencies. Whole foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and fortified cereals are excellent sources of essential nutrients when planning your pregnancy, and they’re often more bioavailable (easier for your body to absorb) than pills.
If you’re looking for inspiration to nourish your body, visit my recipe section. There, you’ll find a collection of healthy, fertility-friendly recipes, with new ones added regularly to help prepare your body for pregnancy.
Build a Strong Foundation for Natural Conception
While taking steps to nourish your body with healthy, whole foods lay the groundwork for optimal preconception health, a well-rounded approach goes beyond diet alone.
Understanding how to personalise your efforts can make all the difference in preparing your body for conception. This is where my ‘Ready to Try?’ eBook comes in, guiding you through practical, tailored steps to support your fertility journey.
At its core, preconception health is about giving your body exactly what it needs—nothing more and nothing less. By tailoring your efforts to your unique health profile, you can really appreciate the importance of preconception care. After all, thoughtful preparation gives you the best chance of building a strong foundation for conception and beyond.
If you’re ready to dive deeper, get your free copy of ‘Ready to Try?’ and learn the preconception strategies that have worked for me and countless others. Let’s walk this path together. I promise, you’re not alone.
Preparing for Pregnancy with Strength and Confidence

Preparing for pregnancy is not just a checklist; it’s a transformative journey. It’s about reclaiming control over your health, honouring your body's incredible capacity, and stepping into this phase of life with intention and confidence. Every small, thoughtful action you take now isn’t just for your future baby; it’s also an act of self-care and empowerment for you.
Remember, fertility isn’t a race or a guarantee; it’s a partnership between you and your body. So, trust in the process, the tools you now have, and most importantly, yourself. Whether this path is long or short, know that you are capable of incredible things.
Take heart if you’ve been feeling lost or unsure where to begin because preparing for pregnancy doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Through my own challenges, I’ve learned that the most powerful changes happen when we embrace preparation as an opportunity, not a burden.
Together, we can redefine what it means to be ready to conceive and thrive in every sense. Remember, I’m here to be your guide, cheerleader, and fertility big sister. If you ever feel stuck or unsure where to start, that’s exactly what my consultations are for. I’ll help you uncover what your body needs and guide you every step of the way. So, let’s make this journey one of strength, connection, and hope.
As you know, I'm a woman on a mission who wants to bring more information about natural fertility to as many women as possible. If you found this article helpful, share it with others who could benefit from it.
Thanks for being here,
Irena x
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To better understand your natural fertility journey, I encourage you to explore some of my previous articles. They provide valuable context and additional insights that complement the information shared here.