Insights & Resources
Our Fertility Blog
Explore expert tips, research, and real guidance from the naturopathic doctors at Conceive Health — all focused on supporting your fertility journey, naturally.
WHAT IS “LEAN” PCOS?
Not all PCOS cases are the same. A significant number of women I see in my office fit a description of something called “Lean PCOS.” In fact between 20-50% of women who fall into the PCOS category are normal weight or considered “thin” (Nestler 1997). These women have what we would consider a “normal” BMI […]
Preparing for IUI or IVF with Naturopathic Medicine
We know that taking the next step on your fertility journey can be a hard decision to make. It may feel scary, frustrating, tiresome, never-ending and any other number of emotions – but you’ve overcome them and are moving forward. And we’re here to support you every step. If you’re heading into IUI or IVF […]
The Story of My Ectopic Pregnancy
On the morning of May 9, 2015, I found out I was pregnant. I had just returned from a lush vacation in Turks & Caicos basking in the sun with my husband. I had had my IUD removed a few weeks prior and had no intention of conceiving, however, I ovulated extremely early and did. […]
Faces of Fertility: Interview with Dr. Fitzgerald ND
Listen to the podcast above, or check out the transcript of Dr. Fitzgerald ND’s interview below. Joanna: I’m Joanna. Katherine: And I’m Katherine. Joanna: And you’re listening to Faces of Fertility, by Knix Katherine: So Joanna, our next guest is Dr. Jennifer Fitzgerald ND from Conceive Health. Joanna: Okay. Katherine: She’s a naturopathic doctor I […]
The Ultimate Guide: How to Tell When You’re Ovulating
One of my favourite parts of fertility education is teaching women how to really know their cycles and how to read their bodies. Some of us may not have cared before; we get a period once a month – that’s good enough, right? But when you’re trying to get pregnant, knowing when you’re ovulating is […]
Miscarriage: Searching for Answers
Any woman/couple who has experienced miscarriage knows how devastating they can be. When recurrent miscarriages are experienced, it can leave women feeling very helpless about their fertility, and lead to fear and anxiety during subsequent pregnancy. Although in many cases the cause of miscarriage is unknown, pregnancy outcomes can be positively influenced by creating optimal […]
Fertility Tests for Women – Part Two
Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) What is it? AMH is a hormone secreted by immature ovarian follicles (eggs), and indicates ovarian reserve. AMH declines as we age, so women over 35 will naturally have lower levels. Although AMH is considered a good indicator of ovarian reserve, and can somewhat predict oocyte retrieval, it does not reflect egg quality […]
Fertility Tests for Women – Part One
FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) – What is it? FSH is a hormone which is released from the pituitary gland to stimulate the ovaries. The higher the level of FSH, the harder the pituitary is working to get the ovaries to respond, indicating poor egg quality or low ovarian reserve. Normal range? Ideally FSH levels should be 10 or […]
Top 5 Herbs and Supplements for PCOS
Diet, exercise and lifestyle modification are the cornerstones of treatment for PCOS, showing successes above and beyond any form of medication(s) available. Research continuously shows improvement in all of the major characteristics of PCOS when diet, exercise and weight loss strategies are implemented. Research also suggests that a variety of nutritional supplements and herbal medicines […]