At Leeds Fertility, we recognise the importance of diet and lifestyle factors in preparing for IVF treatment and a healthy baby. Following feedback from patients, we decided to launch a free fertility and preconception care support group offering information on evidence-based diet and lifestyle factors that can affect your chances of conceiving either naturally or through IVF.
This group was launched in partnership with a new venture, Balance Fertility, that focusses on turning the widespread evidence of the impact of these things on fertility into clinical programmes and practical advice for patients. The sessions were delivered by Reproductive Biologist, Grace Dugdale, who has spent many years researching how underlying health impacts male and female fertility and the health of babies born to couples experiencing fertility problems. The excellent feedback we received from patients participating in the group showed how much having a credible source of evidence based information is needed with 100% of participants rating the programme as excellent or good and happy to recommend the group to a friend.
The programme culminated in a cookery class that allowed patients to put into practice some of the advice covered during the course, and encouraged them to cook at home with fresh, nutrient-rich ingredients with recipes that followed some of the dietary recommendations to support good fertility. The cookery class was exceptionally well-received by patients who both gained important skills and knowledge, and thoroughly enjoyed the process and social and peer-supports aspects of the class.
The pilot programme was launched in June and we will be repeating the support group in September. A Balance Fertility website will be available for further information, as well as registration information for the next round of the course. Please email leedssupport@balancefertility.co.uk for further information.
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