The Proceive Blog
Understanding Egg Health: The Questions We Hear Most
Learn how egg health, nutrition and simple lifestyle choices can support fertility and help prepare the body for pregnancy. A positive, balanced approach can make a meaningful difference.
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Trying to Conceive with PCOS? Your Nutrition and Supplement Guide
A clear and supportive guide to understanding PCOS and natural conception, with practical steps you can take right now. From nutrition to supplements and lifestyle tweaks, discover what may help you feel more confident on your TTC journey.
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6 Self-Care Tips for Breastfeeding Mothers
1. Prioritise Rest and Recovery Breastfeeding is energy-intensive, so rest is essential. Sleep whenever your baby sleeps, and don't hesitate to ask for help with household chores or other children. Even a short nap can help recharge your energy. If your partner is looking after the baby, take the opportunity to rest. 2. Stay Hydrated and Nourished Your body needs extra fluids and nutrients while breastfeeding. Keep a water bottle within arm’s reach during feeds. For quick and easy meals, we recommend dishes that are easy to eat with one hand- like shepherd’s pie. You can make it ahead of time and freeze it, so it's ready when you’re short on time. Plus, it won’t slide off the plate easily, making it a great choice for one-handed eating during feeds. If you’re relying on quick meals and worried about nutrition, Proceive Breastfeeding is specially designed to support you with 24 essential vitamins and minerals, including folic acid(in L-Methyfolate form), Vitamin D3 and Calcium. If you are not getting two portions of oily fish per week, we recommend that you also take Proceive Omega 3. 3. Create a Comfortable Feeding Space Set up a cosy spot for feeds, whether it’s a special chair or a corner of the sofa. Use pillows to support your arms and back, and keep essentials like water, snacks, and a phone or book within reach to make feeding time more comfortable. 4. Make Time for Yourself It’s easy to lose yourself in the demands of motherhood, but taking time for yourself is essential. Whether it's a walk, a hot shower, or a chat with a friend, small moments of self-care help recharge your energy and mood. 5. Listen to Your Body Breastfeeding changes over time, so pay attention to how you feel physically and emotionally. If you notice any pain, discomfort, or feelings of overwhelm, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. There’s no need to go through it alone. 6. Prepare for cracked nipples, Cracked nipples can be a common issue, lanolin-based products can provide relief. We love the MultiMam compresses, they are fantastic for soothing sore nipples, pro-tip pop them in the fridge overnight.
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Breastfeeding: A Unique and Ever-Changing Journey for Mother and Baby
Breastfeeding is one of the most natural ways to feed your baby, but it can also be one of the most demanding experiences for mothers. It’s a journey filled with precious moments of bonding, alongside challenges that may take time to navigate. Every mother’s breastfeeding experience is unique, and there’s no right or wrong way to approach it. Whether you’re exclusively breastfeeding, combination feeding, or expressing milk, it’s important to look after your own well-being while caring for your baby. As a mother, your body works hard to provide nourishment for your little one, and that requires energy, rest, and support. 1. Understanding Your Nutritional Needs When you’re breastfeeding, your body prioritises the production of milk to help meet your baby’s needs. While the composition of breast milk naturally adjusts to provide essential nutrients, maintaining your own health is equally important. A balanced, nutrient-rich diet is key, alongside staying hydrated and getting as much rest as possible, although we know that sleep can be elusive with a new baby in the house! Breastfeeding mums often report feeling hungrier and thirstier than usual, which makes sense considering your body is working hard to produce milk. That’s why it’s important to focus on eating regular meals and snacks that contain a variety of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein sources. For some mums, taking a breastfeeding-specific supplement, like Proceive Breastfeeding, can be a convenient way to help support nutritional intake during this stage of motherhood. 2. Navigating the Emotional Side Breastfeeding isn’t just a physical process; it’s an emotional one too. Many mothers feel a deep bond with their baby during feeds, but it’s also normal to experience a range of emotions, from joy and fulfilment to exhaustion and frustration. It’s important to remind yourself that no two breastfeeding journeys are the same. Some mums find it comes naturally, while others may need time and support to get the hang of things. Both experiences are completely valid. If you encounter challenges, you’re not alone. There are resources and support groups available to help you navigate any difficulties, including lactation consultants, breastfeeding support helplines, and online communities. It’s important to seek help when you need it, doing so can make a world of difference. 3. Why Self-Care Matters In the whirlwind of looking after a newborn, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. However, your own well-being plays a big role in your breastfeeding experience. Here are a few simple ways to support yourself during this time: Stay hydrated: Keep a water bottle nearby when breastfeeding to remind yourself to drink regularly. Eat regularly: Nourish yourself with meals and snacks that contain a variety of nutrients. Rest when you can: Even short naps or moments of relaxation can help recharge your energy. Ask for help: Whether it’s from your partner, family, or friends, don’t be afraid to ask for support. 4. The Role of Proceive Breastfeeding At Proceive, we understand that a mother’s nutritional needs change during different stages of life. That’s why we developed Proceive Breastfeeding, a tailored supplement designed to support mothers from the early postpartum period and throughout their breastfeeding journey. Containing 24 carefully selected vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, Proceive Breastfeeding provides targeted nutritional support for mums during this important time. Key nutrients include: Vitamin D – recommended for both mother and baby Calcium – supports bone health Iron – helps reduce tiredness and fatigue B Vitamins – contribute to energy production While no supplement can replace a healthy diet, Proceive Breastfeeding can be a helpful addition to your routine, especially during a busy and demanding time of life. 5. Every Journey Is Different, And That’s Okay It’s important to remember that there’s no “perfect” way to breastfeed. Some mothers breastfeed for months or even years, while others stop earlier due to personal preferences or circumstances. Some find it easy, while others face challenges. Whatever your experience looks like, be kind to yourself. You’re doing your best, and that’s what matters most. If you have any questions about Proceive Breastfeeding or need advice, our team is always here to help. Feel free to reach oumast to us at info@proceive.com or send us a message on Instagram.
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Preparing For Egg Freezing By Ro Huntriss
Egg freezing is the fastest-growing fertility treatment and has emerged as a transformative option for women looking to preserve their fertility. There are many reasons why a woman may pursue egg freezing, from career pursuits and relationship reasons to medical circumstances. Whatever the reason, careful consideration should be taken to understand the process, what it entails, and what preparation can help you to achieve optimal outcomes. This blog will explore the process, as well as how diet, lifestyle, and supplement changes help you navigate and prepare for optimal outcomes. Understanding the process The process of egg freezing can feel daunting or overwhelming at first however understanding what it entails and how to prepare can help you to manage the process and take back some control. My first port of call to understand more about egg freezing was the Human Fertilisation Embryology (HFEA) website. This is also a good place to find a licensed and experienced fertility clinic that offers the service near you. Thankfully, because I worked in the fertility space, I had a good understanding of the general process, and for those that are less familiar, I think it’s worth taking the time to full explore the journey and what it entails to understand whether you feel it’s the right thing for you. Egg collection is the same as the first step of IVF and it involves taking medication to stimulate the ovaries to develop multiple eggs and help them to mature. Once the eggs are mature enough they are then collected during a medical procedure whilst you are under sedation. If you were pursuing IVF, the eggs would then be fertilised with sperm to create an embryo. With egg freezing, any mature eggs that are collected will be frozen using a cryoprotectant and stored for use at a later date. At what age should I do egg-freezing? Egg freezing is an attractive option as it allows a woman's eggs to be frozen when they are younger, preserving their quality. If eggs are frozen below the age of 35, the chances of success using these frozen eggs is higher than the natural conception rate as a woman gets older. The ideal time to freeze eggs is in your 20s, or early 30s when egg quality and ovarian reserve are higher however this doesn't mean it can’t be done at an older age. As much as freezing eggs before the age of 35 may be recommended, sometimes, life doesn’t work out that way and people may need to consider egg freezing a little bit later. I ended up freezing my eggs at the age of 37 due to a change in circumstance, but I was able to optimise my AMH and AFC and ultimately I got results I was happy with. While egg freezing can offer a better chance of a successful pregnancy in the future it is important to note that this is not a guarantee. Preparing for optimal outcomes Being armed with knowledge can be powerful. Knowing what you can do to support your chances of success can have a positive effect on your overall experience of the egg-freezing process as well as the outcome. Our diet, lifestyle, and supplements can influence both the quality of our eggs as well as our ovarian reserve, meaning that optimising these before an egg-freezing cycle could positively impact your outcomes. Diet and supplements Eggs take 3 months to mature so we have a window of opportunity where we can influence their quality. Research shows that following a Mediterranean-style diet can positively influence oocyte (egg) numbers. This style of eating is packed with antioxidant-rich foods that support egg quality such as fruit and vegetables, plant-based protein, healthy fats and whole grains. Taking a good quality prenatal supplement can also be of benefit in the lead-up to egg freezing. Incorporating a daily prenatal supplement into your routine can support markers of ovarian reserve such as anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. Having a higher ovarian reserve increases the chance of more eggs being collected. When choosing a prenatal supplement, opt for one that contains multiple key antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin E, vitamin C and selenium which play a role in supporting egg quality. Proceive Women was one of the supplements I took to prepare me for egg freezing. I chose it because it contains optimal levels of important fertility-supporting nutrients in a highly absorbable form, to complement my dietary intake - I also found it really easy to take in supplement form. Proceive Max Women is also a great option, it contains higher levels of the antioxidants vitamin E and vitamin C that contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress - this is in a powder form. In the lead-up to my egg-freezing cycle, I followed an evidence-based diet, lifestyle and supplement regime. Although ovarian reserve can be influenced by many things, I was lucky to find that my ovarian reserve markers had increased by 40% compared with the test I had done the previous year which goes to show the potential impact of my diet, supplement and lifestyle changes. Lifestyle Our lifestyle can also impact the outcomes of egg freezing. Creating health habits and sticking to them is key, my top tips include: Incorporating daily movement Stopping smoking Limiting or avoiding alcohol intake Reducing exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals Emotional preparation Whatever your reasons for choosing this route, the egg-freezing journey can be an emotional one. There can be an array of emotions such as excitement, worry, and fear all rolled into one. Having a strong support system around you can really help. I was lucky to have support from close friends and a good friend was able to accompany me on my egg retrieval day. Talking to friends and family about what you are going through helps take some of the emotional weight off your shoulders. If you need extra help at any point, don't hesitate to seek out the support of a therapist or counsellor that specialises in fertility. I am also a big believer in the power of mindset, embracing the choice you have made to take control of your body and your future. Conclusion By educating yourself, adopting healthy lifestyle habits, and nurturing your emotional well-being, you can approach the egg-freezing journey with confidence and empowerment. Remember, egg freezing is not just about preserving fertility; it's about taking control of your reproductive future and embracing the possibilities that lie ahead. I was able to have a positive experience and so can you. Ro Huntriss Specialist Fertility Dietician https://dietitianro.co.uk/ @dieticianro
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Pre - pregnancy nutrition
Kat Boyd ND, shares the vitamins and minerals that are important when planning a pregnancy and, more importantly, where to find them.
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Protein for conception
Nutritionist Gaye Godkin looks at the role of protein when it comes to conception and pregnancy.
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Shift Work: The Importance of Sleep and Snacking for Fertility
We spoke to our nutritionist Gaye Godkin about why its important for both our overall health and fertility to get enough sleep and resist late night sugar cravings.
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Top 5 Fertility Tips to Boost Your Chances of Conception
When trying to for a baby you may feel overwhelmed with the amount of information a simple google search on the subject will produce. It can be difficult to distinguish between the facts and the myths so we’ve gathered some key facts for you.
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Selenium and fertility
Once the male sperm appears healthy, it is often assumed that it will always be healthy. However, as sperm is produced every 74 days, the new batch may be entirely different!
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Toxins and Fertility
To prepare for pregnancy and enhance fertility, it is very important to maintain a healthy weight and choose foods that will create a safe and supportive environment for your baby’s nine-month journey.
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Vegan diets and fertility
As vegan diets grow in popularity, it’s important to understand how plant based nutrition supports fertility and conception. Learn which key nutrients to focus on when trying to conceive.
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