“In the context of in vitro fertilization (IVF,) several studies have indicated that women who receive acupuncture before the procedure tend to have higher success rates. This may be attributed to acupuncture’s ability to lower stress levels, which are often heightened in women undergoing IVF. Consequently, many IVF centers now incorporate it as part of their treatment plans.“
Since I was five years old, I’ve envisioned myself as a mother. One of my earliest childhood memories is holding my doll Dahlia, tenderly singing lullabies, nurturing her, dressing her in new clothes, rocking her to sleep, showering her with kisses, and pouring my love into her. It was the instinctual longing of a young girl, dreaming of the day when I would cradle my own baby in my arms, and experience profound joy and a sense of fulfillment. Countless women share this desire to become mothers, yet many face immense challenges to realize this cherished dream, just as I did.
In the United States, approximately one in eight couples may encounter infertility issues, however, there is hope. Acupuncture can help infertile couples to conceive. Scientists investigating the connection between acupuncture and fertility are uncovering compelling evidence that supports its effectiveness.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture, derived from ancient Chinese medicine, is a profound therapeutic practice that focuses on restoring balance and enhancing overall health and well-being. This traditional approach involves the delicate insertion of ultra-thin, sterilized needles into specific points in the body known as acupuncture points. By stimulating these points or pathways, the aim is to rectify any imbalances in the body’s energy flow.
Central to traditional acupuncture is the belief in the existence of an energy force called Qi, often referred to as the “life force.” It is believed that Qi flows through the body along intricate channels known as meridians. When this vital energy encounters blockages or disruptions, it can lead to various ailments and imbalances.
How does acupuncture improve fertility?
For both women and men, infertility is often linked to imbalances caused by factors such as hormones or stress. Acupuncture plays a significant role in addressing these imbalances by reducing stress hormones and triggering the release of endorphins, inducing a profound state of relaxation. Research has demonstrated that acupuncture can help improve fertility in several ways, including:
– Regulating the menstrual cycle
– Balancing hormones
– Enhancing blood flow to the reproductive organs
– Improving sperm count and motility
– Reducing the risk of miscarriage
– Alleviating stress and anxiety
– Enhancing the chances of successful pregnancy, particularly in women undergoing in vitro
fertilization (IVF)
Furthermore, acupuncture has shown potential in assisting with certain medical conditions that can impact fertility, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, and fibroids. However, perhaps one of its most significant advantages lies in its ability to address stress and anxiety.
When the cause of infertility is unknown, stress can become a key factor impeding pregnancy. Stress can adversely affect physical health, leading to irregular periods, inhibiting ovulation, and causing hormone imbalances. In men, it can reduce sperm count. All these factors combined can make it more challenging to conceive, creating a distressing cycle of stress and fertility difficulties.
Acupuncture has been proven to induce relaxation, alleviate stress, and reduce anxiety by triggering the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain and stress-reducing hormones. When combined with herbal treatments, acupuncture can help restore hormone balance.
Case Studies
When Jessica came to my office, she was 33 years old and had experienced a second early miscarriage. It was evident that she was carrying a heavy emotional burden. I could sense her anger, frustration, and deep sadness. It broke my heart to see her in such a state. However, amidst her turmoil, there was a flicker of hope in her eyes.
To address Jessica’s concerns and prevent another miscarriage, I devised a special program that incorporated Chinese herbs. These herbs had shown promising results in similar cases, and I believed they could make a difference for her. But it wasn’t just about the herbs; we had to take a holistic approach. I wanted to ensure that Jessica’s body received the nourishment it needed, so we also focused on improving her diet. Additionally, I provided her with supplements to enhance the quality of her eggs.
Recognizing the importance of emotional well-being, I wanted to support Jessica in every possible way. Hence, I recommended acupuncture sessions for her, twice a week for six weeks. Since acupuncture has been known to have a calming effect on the mind and body, I hoped it would bring some relief to her troubled spirit. Week after week, I saw a gradual transformation in her demeanor.
After three long months of tireless effort and unwavering determination, she felt ready to embark on her journey to conceive once again. It was a nerve-wracking time for her, but deep down, she carried a glimmer of hope. And lo and behold, her hope turned into reality. Jessica successfully became pregnant and gave birth to a healthy baby boy, a testament to her resilience and the power of the treatment program we had embarked upon.
In the context of in vitro fertilization (IVF,) several studies have indicated that women who receive acupuncture before the procedure tend to have higher success rates. This may be attributed to acupuncture’s ability to lower stress levels, which are often heightened in women undergoing IVF. Consequently, many IVF centers now incorporate it as part of their treatment plans.
Sarah, a brave woman who sought my help at the age of 39 had high follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and low anti-mullerian hormone (AMH.) She was planning to undergo IVF, however, her reproductive doctor, aware of the potential benefits of complementary therapies, advised her to consult with me first. I could sense Sarah’s mixed emotions, a combination of excitement and trepidation. She wanted this IVF cycle to work, and so did I.
With Sarah, I designed a comprehensive program that included special herbs known for their ability to lower FSH levels. These herbs had a reputation for helping women like Sarah, and I had seen them work wonders in the past. But it wasn’t just about the herbs; we needed to optimize her overall health. So I recommended specific vitamins and nutrition to aid in reducing her FSH levels. Sarah’s commitment to following the program was commendable.
To complement the herbal and nutritional support, I felt that acupuncture sessions would be beneficial for her as well so she started visiting my clinic three times a week, looking for that extra boost of encouragement.
A few months went by, and Sarah’s determination never wavered. She diligently followed the program, taking each step with unwavering hope. And finally, her perseverance paid off. Sarah’s FSH levels dropped significantly and her AMH doubled, surpassing all expectations. It was a moment of triumph and validation for both Sarah and me.
With her FSH levels under control, Sarah could proceed with her long-awaited IVF cycle. The procedure went smoothly, and we were fortunate to obtain healthy embryos for transfer. Sarah underwent the transfer with a mixture of anticipation and cautious optimism. And to our utmost joy, her dream came true. Today, she cradles a healthy baby girl in her arms, a testament to her unwavering determination and the power of the treatment we had embarked upon together.
There’s truly nothing more precious than cradling your own baby in your arms, singing sweet lullabies to them, witnessing their first steps, and hearing their first words. The love experienced through raising children is unparalleled and brings immeasurable joy to our lives.
Gilli’s journey began with acquiring valuable skills that would shape her future path. Her dedication to healthcare led her to serve as a medic in the Israeli army after which she worked for two years in emergency care as well as labor and delivery at the prestigious Kaplan Hospital in Israel.
In 1995, Gilli earned her Doctorate from the Israeli College of Complementary Medicine in Naturopathic Medicine. Gilli’s quest for knowledge took her to the United States in 1996, where she pursued studies in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, ultimately obtaining a Master’s Degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine. She is certified by the State of California to practice Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, boasting over 23 years of specialized experience.
Gilli’s unique Acupuncture style harmonizes her vast knowledge and techniques for the well-being of the body, mind, and spirit. Her expertise encompasses a wide range of symptoms and illnesses, including fertility issues, IVF, women’s health, pregnancy care, and more. Collaborating closely with Western Infertility Specialists, Gilli has achieved remarkable success rates with her fertility patients. Her treatment approach integrates Chinese herbs, diet therapy, and supplements to optimize results.
Gilli warmly welcomes you into her practice, where renewed comfort and healing await. Find out more at www.gilliwellness.com
“I met my husband later in life, although not so late that I thought we needed to talk about babies straight away. He already had children from a previous marriage so we took our time. We waited, we talked, argued and finally got to the point where we started trying.”
Informed Pregnancy+ is Dr. Elliot Berlin’s brand new multi platform streaming channel dedicated to pregnancy, postpartum and parenting. The Filmmakers Spotlight blog series features creators whose work is showcased on the channel. To learn more or sign up for a yearly or monthly subscription, click here!
Having a child will be easy, you have time, it’ll happen. Protect yourself from getting pregnant they say… take the pill… use condoms… withdraw they say. Little did I know just how heartbreaking my journey to have a child would be.
I met my husband later in life, although not so late that I thought we needed to talk about babies straight away. He already had children from a previous marriage so we took our time. We waited, we talked, argued and finally got to the point where we started trying.
My husband was working FIFO (fly-in fly-out) at the time, and although he was away for 3-4 weeks at a time we were blessed with getting pregnant pretty quickly. Knowing the short window we as women have and the fact I was getting closer to 40 it was even more exciting.
We got our confirmation from the GP, and they told me I wouldn’t need a scan till later, my levels looked good. As it was my first pregnancy I didn’t question anything. My boobs got bigger, they were sore, all my symptoms and my body told me I was pregnant. So for the next 8 weeks we went blissfully about our business. We even started talking names. Eventually I requested a 12 week scan, just to make sure all was ok.
The morning of our first scan was a Tuesday. We spoke excitedly about the future as we headed to see our baby but once there – heartbreaking news, it was a non-viable pregnancy. In that moment my heart broke. That baby was wanted, loved already. Although I had a friend who had gone through a loss, nothing could have prepared me for the pain and grief I felt in that moment.
We rang my mum, we told those close to us. And at 2am in the morning I wrote a SMS to my friends who knew about the pregnancy with the news. I explained what had happened, then I told them not to contact me till later. I knew they cared, but the reminder of my loss would break my heart again.
I thought it must have been something I had done… I worked too hard, got too stressed. I thought I had lost our baby. The next day I threw myself into work. I had back-to-back clients and because I didn’t know how to process everything, work meant I didn’t have to think about it. During a break, I rang my doctor, who hadn’t even looked at the scan yet, so I had to tell her about the miscarriage. She gave me the number of an obstetrician whose receptionist was rude and unhelpful. They didn’t have an appointment for 2 months, I was almost at breaking point when I pleaded with her to give me the number of someone who could help. I didn’t want to wait for it to pass naturally, how long would that be? Eventually I found someone who was understanding to help me get a DNC as quickly as possible.
Afterwards, I had to ring a client to cancel an appointment later that week. While on the phone she asked me if I was ok. I broke down and told her that we had lost our baby. I distinctly remember her saying, “oh I had one last year.” That was the start of a discussion I had with many other men and women in just a few days. They had all experienced loss, some of them multiple times.
A week later another very good friend of mine sent me a text message, one similar to mine, she too had lost her baby. It was in that moment that ‘You Are Not Alone’ was born. I thought, why don’t we talk about this, why is this something we suffer in silence? In pain? In grief? Why should we hold it in? I wanted to do something to help all those other women and their partners. So many people like me are going through this, but still feel so alone.
The production of the series was cathartic at times, and bloody hard at others. Just over a year after our first loss, we finally got pregnant again. Once again, excited was an understatement, but with a little more trepidation. It was super early – I was testing as soon as I was a day late. That week I headed on trip for work where I was to work a twelve hour day on the hottest day on record in full PPE on an iron ore barge.
Throughout the day I started spotting. It was hot and my body wasn’t coping. But when I rang the GP clinic they told me it was probably normal. The following morning it was more than a spot or two. I knew in my gut that this one wasn’t going to continue. I sat on the bed, took out my phone and recorded that moment. Part of me knew that if my documentary was going to happen I needed to record my journey. If I wanted others to tell me their stories, I needed to tell mine/ours too.
So I filmed moments along our journey – our journey to the ultimate joy of holding our beautiful child in our hands. Six months after our miracle was born we began filming the series proper. I watched as our wonderful subjects cried at the babies lost. I hugged them tight when we could (Covid was here) and I grieved again for ours. After a couple months of filming interviews I moved onto editing then finally the series was done. I hope that myself and the wonderful men and women who shared their stories will help someone on their own journey. My series “You Are Not Alone” is for those women, their partners, friends and families who have lost their baby, those who tried, suffered, grieved and yearned.
With over 15 years experience working as an editor and camera person at some of this country’s leading television and media companies, I have had a wide range of experience.
My knowledge of video principles, technologies, and methodologies is sound through the previous positions I have held. I have excellent communication skills, which have developed through my previous roles and exercise daily through my current role. I am passionate about producing high quality video stories for any medium.
I was honored with a Commended in the Best Current Affairs and Highly Commended in the News Camera categories of the SA Press Club Awards for my documentary on the Kapunda murders for “Evil Up Close”
In 2015 I worked as a Field Producer for Channel 9’s Alysa and Lysandra to the Rescue and as an Associate Producer for Channel 7’s Seven Year Switch..
Most recently I worked as a Shooter/Producer for season two of Seven Year Switch, as well as documentaries for Moving Visuals, Singapore and WAG TVs ‘What on Earth’.
“This isn’t part of my plan. I’m supposed to be pregnant by now!” Stubbornly, (did I mention I’m Ukrainian?) I refused to accept that I had a medical issue that I couldn’t plan to resolve on my own, so I spent the next nine months decanting smelly herbs, working with acupuncturists, and balancing my qi.”
Ever heard the saying “the best-laid plans of pregnancy can be found in hospital dumpsters”?
Well, now you know where to look for them.
Every single plan I had, from conception to birth to breastfeeding, was trashed. And as I sit here writing this postpartum, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Prior to parenthood, I lived my life by the motto: Failing to plan, is planning to fail. At the start of 2020, I decreed that this would officially be “my year”. It would be the year that ten long years of hustle, sweat, and $400/week theater jobs turned into making my Broadway debut. I’d sign my contract, and then, I’d give myself permission to have a baby.
But no one can properly plan for a global pandemic. So after spending six months locked down in a dilapidated 1-bedroom garden level apartment in Brooklyn, my husband and I packed up our dog, our cat, and as many possessions as we could shove into our 2010 Chevy Traverse and drove across America. With a change of scenery, I planned to save my small business (a voice studio) and pivot from manifesting my Broadway debut to accepting that, for the moment, Broadway was dead.
As we hit the Great Plains, I finally had enough space to hear what my body was trying to tell me. Deep down, I knew I wanted to be a mom- I just planned on being more successful before justifying taking a break. But on a hike in Arches National Park, I heard it: a little voice whispering, “It’s time.” Set to the tune of a ticking biological clock and a giant cloudless sky, I released any hesitations I held about “perfect timing” and tossed my NuvaRing in the trash.
I planned on getting pregnant easily, like they made it seem in middle school health class. Wrong. After tossing that ring in September 2020, my period never returned. My plan to get pregnant didn’t transpire for another fourteen months.
After we arrived in LA, I met with an OBGYN who tried a few things to revive Aunt Flo – a 10-day dose of progesterone, a two-week supplement of estrogen, a daily thyroid medication – none of which spared me from her diagnosing my situation as “too problematic for regular care”. She suggested I see a fertility specialist. My mouth dropped. “This isn’t part of my plan. I’m supposed to be pregnant by now!” Stubbornly, (did I mention I’m Ukrainian?) I refused to accept that I had a medical issue that I couldn’t plan to resolve on my own, so I spent the next nine months decanting smelly herbs, working with acupuncturists, and balancing my qi.
Fourteen months later my pulses were slippery, I had given up coffee, built a yoga practice, started meditating, and still no period. I asked my acupuncturist if I should give up. Perhaps I wasn’t strong enough to get pregnant evolutionarily, and my lineage was supposed to die out. He laughed before suggesting that the universe granted me the choice: the choice to accept further medical help or not.
Plans and choices.
Hm.
This guy was good.
I could plan to make a choice.
Exactly one year after I heard the little voice on our cross-country trek, I went to the fertility specialist emboldened with the choice. I was diagnosed with hypothalamic amenorrhea. The gist: I had a ton of eggs, but my brain and ovaries weren’t speaking. So, first I needed to take a medication to help my ovary follicles grow. Once they got big enough, I’d give myself a shot to trigger release an egg, and we’d have “timed intercourse” for 3 days in a row (a big win for my husband). I felt positive about planning a September conception. Giving birth in May would give me enough time to return to work for many summer theater seasons.
My follicles grew, grew, grew, and…wilted. The attempt was deemed unsuccessful. Yet another plan had failed, and I felt discouraged.
We chose to do another round in November. Having a baby in August would thwart my potential summer plans, but I also knew waiting was pushing me further into geriatric pregnancy. Damn biological clock! This time, we added hormone injections and a low dose of progesterone. My follicles grew, and grew, and grew, and we got the go ahead to trigger three nights of marital bliss. These three nights also happened to be the same nights I was making my LA debut workshopping a new musical at Hollywood’s Bourbon Room. I’m not sure if it was the song and dance or the timed intercourse, but my plan finally worked! Two weeks later, I was in New York when the blood test revealed I was pregnant. Facetiming my husband from Times Square, I said, “Ben. I’m on Broadway, and we’re having a baby.”
Getting pregnant was one of the best choices I had ever planned to make, and it was really the only plan that didn’t drastically change throughout my pregnancy. My plan for an unmedicated birth with a lengthy active labor at home turned into a c-section. My plans to flip my breech baby using inversions, moxibustion, and swimming laps straight up failed. My plan to breastfeed was thwarted with a tongue and lip tie. My plan to exclusively pump has been challenged by an undersupply issue.
The moral of my birth story is that attempting to plan and control it has left me with the choice: Do I approach parenting as a decision that I fully control, or is it a relationship between two people (me and my baby)? I can create extensive plans, and ultimately, he will choose how to participate. In a way, by presenting him with the choice, he will help me to create the plan.
So now that Broadway’s open again, I’m still planning to make my debut. Except now, whenever it happens, my son will be there, cheering me on from the front row. On that, he has no choice.
Jenna Pastuszek (she/her)is a professional actor, singer, voice over artist, musical theatre educator, and voice teacher. Jenna has performed in theatres across America in a variety of mediums, including her acclaimed solo shows GET HAPPY! and ME,MYSELF & BARBRA. She is a voiceover artist, voicing household brands like Starbucks Cafe, Pepsi, Amazon, KIND Bar, Target, IKEA, Crest, Toyota and more. She is the Co-Founder of Innovative Voice Studio, where she trains Broadway performers and works with leaders across industries through Innovative Performance. Previous faculty positions include The University of the Arts, New York University, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, The American Musical Theatre Academy, and Musical Theater College Auditions. Pastuszek received her Masters in Teaching in Elementary Education and a BA in History and minor in French from the University of Virginia and her Masters in Vocal Performance and Advanced Certificate of Vocal Pedagogy from NYU Steinhardt. She is an Estill Voice International Master Trainer and a graduate of Seth Godin’s altMBA. Learn more at www.jennap.com.
” God bless my wife, then came the hard part. The embryos arrived at the clinic and our doctor began the workup with injections and tests. It was a whirlwind of emotions but with guidance from our doctor, all went as planned. A few short weeks later we were ready for our transfer.”
September 2016, day one of our honeymoon. My wife and I decide to drive the Maui coast, along the Road to Hana. A multi-hour journey, hair pinned turns, and a day of reflection as we start our new lives and journey together. On the radio plays our theme song Starship’s “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” A tour guide app assists us, speaking about life, purpose, and the idea that the Road to Hana is more about the journey than the destination.
Our journey and new chapter of our life began that week. For most, life is planned and in sequential order and my wife has always planned to be a mother. On this trip, we had hopes of continuing our journey of life and starting our family…
The honeymoon ended, months went by, and quickly we came to learn that starting a family is harder than we had originally thought. Patience – that’s what my wife kept telling me. As time went on, our patience grew to frustration but we kept quiet; wondering, broken, and numb.
Stepping through the door to the fertility center we thought, “This won’t be so bad. We will run some tests, find out the problem, and be on our way.” A couple of tests later, we were indeed on our way and heading back to Maui a second time for a family vacation.
This time though, the honeymoon was over. On our first day, we got the alarming call from the
doctor’s office. Sure enough, the test results had come back and we were devastated. Our likelihood of having children on our own was very low. We had so many questions, emotions, and thoughts, all overbearing. Our world crumbled around us as we saw so many of our dreams never becoming a reality.
Soon we began undergoing fertility treatments to conceive, but after two failed attempts, we were left heartbroken and with a deep sadness. We had many days of grieving but our desire to have a family was still very strong so we began looking into adoption. Through this journey, we found Snowflakes Embryo Adoption. With a little bit of research, we knew this was a perfect fit. We felt that these embryos’ lives were our path to becoming parents. We met with several adoption agencies and without hesitation, we knew that Nightlight/Snowflakes was the right choice for us.
Days later, as my wife and I tried to come to a decision. We wondered “What is our true purpose, do we ever really know?” and “ Are we not meant to be parents?” To take our mind off things we decided to see a movie. A movie about foster adoption called Instant Family was playing. It was great and very heartwarming. I will not spoil the plot but at the end, a character hits the radio and on comes a song. Not just any song, but our song, the one Ashley and I play over and over: “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” We looked at each other, the perfect moment, both of us wiping away the tears. This was us. NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US NOW.
That week, we signed the Snowflakes Embryo Adoption contract. Both of us working quickly, we completed all necessary requirements of the adoption process and entered the matching phase. At this point, we were 3 months in and were informed it would take months to be matched. But God had another plan. Six days, yes, SIX DAYS later we were matched. “Is this real?” we thought. We were both ecstatic. The portfolio came through and felt the match was perfect.
The placing family that chose us were truly wonderful and have become an extended family to us. An instant family, just like the movie that helped guide us down this path and we couldn’t be more thankful. We agreed to have an open adoption and developed a bond with them that is truly indescribable.
God bless my wife, then came the hard part. The embryos arrived at the clinic and our doctor began the workup with injections and tests. It was a whirlwind of emotions but with guidance from our doctor, all went as planned. A few short weeks later we were
ready for our transfer.
Our transfer went perfectly! A day surrounded by love, God’s blessings, and even a little bit of humor. And, of course, our song played throughout. Afterwards we anxiously counted down each long day. After the first test we received the phone call, one we once thought we’d never receive, telling us “Congratulations, you are pregnant!” Ashley had them repeat it multiple times because those words were music to our ears. I started crying as I looked at her. “We did it! YOU did it!” jumping up and down in celebration. But we understood we were at the bottom of the mountain looking up, we knew we still had a long journey. We still took a moment to celebrate.
We welcomed our daughter Kayley in March 2020. Around Kayley’s first birthday we made the decision to start planning a sibling for her and we had five remaining embryos. Our second transfer was very similar to our first. We transferred two embryos. This transfer resulted in one blighted ovum and one healthy growing baby.
Now, along our own “Road to Hana” I am happy to report that we welcomed our second Snowflake baby, Kathryn, in February 2022. (A full biological sibling to our daughter Kayley). Our daughters are the most incredible aspect of our lives and our bond with them is indescribable. They were always meant to be our daughters and we were always meant to be their parents. Embryo Adoption is the source of our greatest joy and hope. It has given us the opportunity to grow our family in the most beautiful way.Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.
Ashley and Justin live in Pittsburgh, PA with their two daughters and two miniature schnauzers. Justin is a pharmacy manager and oversees multiple locations throughout the country. Ashley works to oversee educational facilities to ensure program quality. She is also a certified instructor and awards grant funding to programs. Both Ashley and Justin love living an adventurous life. Their hobbies include bike rides, walking their pups, spending time with family, neighbors and friends, and traveling. And of course, living in a true sports town, they love to cheer on all Pittsburgh Sport Teams. Both Ashley and Justin are very passionate about embryo adoption and hope to help bring awareness to this incredible family building option.
,,Needed is a nutrition company delivering optimal nourishment for women and their partners before, during, and after pregnancy. Needed is the #1 women’s health brand among nutritionally trained practitioners, and is backed by the recommendation of thousands of perinatal health experts. Their products and educational content are grounded in the latest clinical research and the in-practice experience of its practitioner collective. Needed delivers what you need to thrive, not just survive, along the perinatal journey and the parenting years beyond.
You likely know how important it is for women to take a prenatal vitamin before, during, and after pregnancy. After all, when it comes to building a family, a lot of the focus is put on women’s nutrition. But, did you know that MEN need prenatal nutritional support too?
That’s right! Prenatal supplements for men are needed to support libido, sperm health, brain function, hair health, and overall vitality.
The impact of men’s health
Men’s role in the perinatal stage cannot be understated, because when men don’t optimize their own health, it can impact fertility outcomes and the health of the baby for years to come.
Why? Because sperm contribute 50% of a baby’s DNA, and male factors are responsible for roughly ⅓ to ½ of all instances of infertility and pregnancy loss. The health of sperm is influenced by many factors, including the effects of our environment, diet and lifestyle. Sperm take an average of 100 days to mature, and during this time period they are especially vulnerable. The good news is it doesn’t take long to “turn over” more optimal sperm!
And it doesn’t end there
Men’s health doesn’t cease to matter after conception occurs (acknowledging that this can happen in many different ways). The dad years that follow are demanding (hello, sleepless nights and preschool germs – all while aiming for some kind of work-life balance!). So it is important to continue to support health well into the dad years that follow for optimal energy, immunity, libido, brain function, hair health, and overall vitality.
What can you do about it?
What can a man do to support his optimal health from preconception and into the dad years? It starts with supporting himself through five key diet and lifestyle factors:
Healthy diet: Include more color in your daily plates in the form of antioxidant-rich raw and cooked fruits and vegetables, and prioritize pastured eggs and poultry, grass-fed beef, and wild caught fish. Skip the processed foods, refined carbs, excess sugar, and poor quality oils (like canola and other vegetable and seed oils).
Targeted supplementation: Due to depleted soils, a disrupted food system, and busy lives, even the best diet is unable to cover everything a man needs for optimal health and fertility.
Movement: Exercise is beneficial to both physical and mental health, as well as optimal fertility and sleep.
Stress management: Some stress is inevitable, but too much can influence sperm quality, mood, and physical wellbeing.
Reduction of toxin exposure: Avoid or limit things like alcohol and other substances, as well as endocrine disrupting chemicals in plastics, household cleaners, and personal care products.
Targeted Supplementation
Needed’s Men’s line supports a man’s health with a comprehensive multivitamin/mineral blend, a tailored Pre/Probiotic, and a vegan and sustainably sourced Omega-3 with extra Choline, and added antioxidants.
Needed’s ,Men’s Multi contains 23 optimally dosed vitamins and minerals like B12 for energy, active Folate, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, Zinc, and Antioxidants for sperm health, Biotin for hair health and so much more.
Needed’s ,Omega-3+ is a vegan and sustainably sourced Omega-3 with extra Choline, and added antioxidants.
Needed’s tailored ,Pre/Probiotic for men that supports an overall healthy male microbiome, especially for those wishing to conceive. The gut microbiome plays a huge role in male fertility, including sperm development and function. Sperm health impacts conception outcomes and the health of a growing baby, so supporting sperm development is key.
Needed’s ,CoQ10 supports sperm quality, energy production, metabolism, and protects cells from damage.
Needed’s ,Men’s Complete Plan includes all the nutrients men need to support optimal health, fertility, and energy when trying to conceive and all throughout the dad years to come.
The Bottom Line
We know that 1 in 8 couples find themselves having difficulty getting pregnant and 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in a loss. While much of the focus and education around fertility and perinatal health centers solely on women, men’s health plays a vital role as well.
The good news is, just as there are prenatal vitamins and ways to support a woman’s health before, during, and after pregnancy, there are ways to support and focus on men’s health during these crucial times as well. Men need high quality nutritional perinatal support, too!
Click ,,here to learn more, and use the code BERLIN20 to get 20% off your first order or the first 3 months of a Needed subscription.
Jenna Pastuszek (she/her)is a professional actor, singer, voice over artist, musical theatre educator, and voice teacher. Jenna has performed in theatres across America in a variety of mediums, including her acclaimed solo shows GET HAPPY! and ME,MYSELF & BARBRA. She is a voiceover artist, voicing household brands like Starbucks Cafe, Pepsi, Amazon, KIND Bar, Target, IKEA, Crest, Toyota and more. She is the Co-Founder of
