What are the opening hours?

Tuesday 10am - 5pm Thursday 10am - 7:30pm Friday 7am - 5pm

Vela Health, 3/101 Palm Beach Ave, Gold Coast (2026)

12/05/2022

✦ F E R T I L I T Y F O E S

Are any of these factors in your life?

All of the above can disrupt your reproductive hormones in one way or another.

But do you know the main issue linking everything to your fertility?

Each factor can delay or completely prevent ovulation!

And when you aren’t ovulating, you can’t get pregnant.

The good news is that these are modifiable factors of infertility.

So, you have the power to improve your fertility by addressing these factors in your life.

Whether you're dealing with these issues, irregular cycles, excessive bleeding, no bleeding, or chronic PMS - I can help.

Come see me in person at Earth Mothers or book an online consultation.

🧡 Mac

14/04/2022

✦ Has your breastmilk supply decreased since being sick? 
Over the last few months, I've had many versions of the same conversation with breastfeeding mums.

So many women, who have been sick, notice changes in their breastmilk supply.

This topic has also been doing the rounds on my Instagram feed! 
So I wanted to share information to help you understand: 
1️⃣ A common reason why this may happen

2️⃣ To provide you with a solution often not covered
 But before I get into it, I want to be clear that everyone is an individual. So, this may not be the case for you, but this is what I see as a primary factor of low milk supply.
 So what's the main point I want to discuss?

💪🏽 PROTEIN 💪🏽 
Protein powers our immune system with amino acids and co-factors, which are critical for our bodies to build their immune system battalions, combat inflammation, fight threats and recover (1,2,3).

Protein is also one of the essential nutrients we require more of to create breastmilk (4).

So what’s the problem?

Sickness aside, a breastfeeding mum requires more protein than most women realise. They require approx. 20 grams more protein compared to a non-breastfeeding woman.  
So if a breastfeeding woman isn't eating the right amount of protein and gets sick, then her body may struggle to keep up the milk supply.

If the body has to pick between using nutrients (derived from protein) to help the mum recover or create breastmilk, we can be sure it will prioritise the mum. 
So, for your immune system to function, your body to recover and to ensure you keep pumping out an optimal amount of breastmilk, you need to eat the right amount of protein.

These amounts vary from person to person, so swipe right for help figuring out how much protein you require and some protein snack ideas.

If you require more help with your recovery or diet, please book a consultation with me. 
🧡 Mac
See comments for references 📖

25/01/2022

✦ How to cope with the current situation?

Like me, if you're living in Queensland, you or your loved ones are likely getting sick 🥲

So one of the best things you can do is prepare and support your immune system. 
🌶⏰ I recently caught the spicy cough myself and was fortunate to recover relatively quickly!

But what was the first thing I did?

🏁 I made sure my medicine cupboard was stocked and ready to go before the inevitable hit! 
Below is a list of each nutrient that I took and a solid reason why they are essential: 
⭐️ Vitamin D3: Vitamin D is an immunomodulator capable of enhancing the innate and adaptive immune response against SARS-CoV-2 infection (1, 2). 
⭐️ Zinc: Dietary zinc deficiency has been associated with immune dysfunction with increased vulnerability to infections because virtually all immune cells are highly zinc-dependent (3). A 2009 WHO report on disease risk factors found zinc deficiency may be responsible for 13% of all lower respiratory tract infection cases, primarily pneumonia and flu cases, in children younger than 5 years (4). 
⭐️ Vitamin C: Vitamin C plays a significant role as an antioxidant and co-factor of various biosynthetic pathways in the immune system (5). Vitamin C also supports the adrenal glands and nervous system with stress. We all know how stressful these times are! 
⭐️ N-acetylcysteine: NAC is a mucolytic nutrient that supports mucus clearance from the upper and lower airways. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulating properties and has long been used to treat conditions that closely resemble the signs and symptoms of SARS-Cov-2 (6). A recent review of evidence found that NAC may prove beneficial in treating and preventing SARS-Cov-2 as it has exhibited strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulating characteristics (7).

➡️ Swipe right for more practical lifestyle tips to help you cope.

🙆🏽‍♀️ ohhh and mamas, you will be happy to know that these are safe during pregnancy. 
👩🏽‍💻HMU for naturopthic support during these times. I offer online consultations and can send you everything you need in the mail.
 Take care out there! 
🧡Mac 
👇🏽See references below

01/01/2022

✦ Hello 2022

Last year was momentous for me.

Two of my biggest dreams came true.

And we all learned to adapt to our weird and wonderful world ☯️

Mostly, I am so thankful to the mamas and mamas-to-be who have allowed me the honour of helping them along their journey to parenthood. Thank you.

May this year bring you all hope & healing.

🦋

29/12/2021

✦ Do you need to detox post festivities if you're doing preconception care?

☝🏽Before I get into it, I want to start by telling you not to worry if you've overindulged.

Honestly, a few days of joyous eating and drinking isn't going to undo the weeks to months of hard work you've done preparing your body🎉

Over the last few days, many people have reached out for advice on bloating, reflux or detoxing in the new year.

So, I thought I'd share some info on these topics and we're getting started with detoxing.

So do you start a detox?...

NOPE.

While it might be enticing to jump on board a 3-day detox marketed to give you a boost of energy or lose weight, I do NOT think it is necessary if you're TTC 🙅🏽‍♀️

Get back to your regular healthy eating habits instead of forking out more money and restricting more food in the new year.

🥇When it comes down to it, the best way to 'detox' is to gently support your organs of elimination to aid your body's innate detoxification pathways.

The following organs naturally detoxify and eliminate all sorts of substances including waste and toxins:

✅ The liver
✅ The kidneys
✅ The skin
✅ The lymph
✅ The colon
✅ The lungs

Swipe right for tips on how to support your natural detoxification pathways. No restrictive juice cleanses are required here, folks!

If you are thinking about baby-making in 2022, start your preconception care by following these recommendations for the next two weeks.

For those ready to do the work, book a consultation with me. Together, we can determine what course of action is best for you and your journey.

🧡 Mac

27/12/2021

✦ O U T O F O F F I C E ✦

🦋 The Vela Health clinic is closed for the rest of the year 🦋

You can find me swimming in the ocean, walking in the rainforests and soaking up the summer sun until the new year 🌞

🏁My first day back in the clinic will be Thursday 6th January.

You can email or DM me cause I’ll still be online.

🧡 Mac

24/12/2021

✦ How to thrive this season

May these tips help nourish your mind, body and soul 🕊

🤍 Tips for your M I N D:

⭐️ Eat intuitively with your loved ones. In other words, enjoy anything you want whether it's a cocktail, crackling or chocolate. Intuitive eating implies you make peace with your food and avoid labelling it as ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Focus on the beauty in the time spent sharing with your community and truly enjoy it.

⭐️Honour your boundaries. It helps to first identify the boundaries you’d like to have with friends and family over the next few days. This is important for your mental health. No, you don't have to answer those insensitive questions. And no, you don't have to stay if you don't want to stay.

🤍 Tips for your B O D Y:

⭐️ Stay hydrated and drink lots of water, especially alcoholic beverages.

⭐️ Practice mindful eating (chewing slowly with intent). This will aid your digestive system and reduce overeating.

⭐️ Have chamomile or peppermint tea on hand for the inevitable post-feast bloat.

🤍 Tips for your S O U L:

⭐️Prioritise making time for yourself this holiday season and do something that brings you joy.

⭐️Pick one thing that you're grateful for at the end of each day and think about it before going to bed.

⭐️Slow down. It doesn’t matter if you don't get to your in-laws place 30 minutes late.

Here’s to a holiday season where you thrive 🙆🏽‍♀️

🧡 Mac

23/12/2021

✦ A R E Y O U O V U L A T I N G ?

In terms of preconception care, the answer to this question is everything.

But, do you know why ovulation is so important, let alone whether you're ovulating or not?

First, you've got to understand that ovulation is HUGE in determining whether or not our bodies can begin the process of baby-making.

But that's not all…the healthy hormone production associated with regular ovulation has a positive effect on many things including:

⭐️Mood balance
⭐️Bone health
⭐️Sleep⁣ quality

So how can you tell if you are ovulating?

Well, you can start by paying attention to the following signs:

✅ Change in basal Temperature

✅ Egg white-like cervical mucus

✅ Cervix positioning

✅ Increased Libido

✅ Tender Breasts

✅ Mittelschmerz (ovulation pain)

✅ Nausea

✅ Light ovulation spotting

✅ Regular periods

The problem is these signs are not experienced by everyone who ovulates because everyBODY is unique.

For example, a breastfeeding mum who wakes up multiple times a night may not see the temperature changes they’re told to look out for.

For that reason, one sign should not be your SOLE means of confirming or predicting ovulation.

Stay tuned for my next few ovulation posts where I cover the ‘how-to’ aspects involved in assessing ovulation.

Until then, start sign spotting if you can.

This fosters a more conscious connection between your mind and body and is an excellent tool if you're trying to conceive consciously.

🧡 Mac
📷 thank you for your beautiful art

19/12/2021

✦ M O T H E R ✦ N A T U R E ✦

📷

18/12/2021

✦ waiting for motherhood ✦

It's a sacred place we women spend a lot of time in.

Waiting while we prepare our bodies ~
Waiting those two weeks ~
Waiting months ~
Waiting years ~
Waiting another two weeks ~

Then if you’re lucky, you can breathe...

And then you’re back to waiting.

Waiting for some semblance of safety that the 12-week mark holds.

And finally, you can't wait to meet your baby.

I try to always remember:

Waiting makes you conscious of your priorities.
Waiting makes you persevere.
Waiting makes you strong.

Be tender with yourself if you're waiting for motherhood, whatever stage of waiting that may be.

🤍 Mac

📷 my beautiful bff with baby Zuri

17/12/2021

✦ Do you need to balance your progesterone levels? 
Low progesterone is an issue we regularly see in the world of fertility.  
Here's why it's crucial, progesterone is produced during ovulation and prepares the uterus for implantation of a fertilised egg 🥚

Then, if pregnancy occurs, the corpus luteum and the placenta produce it to continue supporting the foetus🤰🏽 
So how do you know if you've got low progesterone?  
Testing can be done, but it’s finicky and has to be done on day 21 of your cycle. Alternatively, you could assess yourself for symptoms of low progesterone 💁🏽‍♀️

➡️ Swipe right for a brief list of symptoms and causes most commonly associated with low progesterone levels. 
The following foods can help balance your menstrual cycle and support healthy progesterone levels: 
⭐️Healthy fats: needed to create s*x hormones e.g. progesterone
⭐️B6: helps with progesterone synthesis
⭐️Zinc: aids ovulation and egg maturation
⭐️Vitamin C: increases progesterone and supports luteal phase defects
⭐️Magnesium: reduce stress and cortisol levels
⭐️Cruciferous vegetables help improve the ratio of oestrogen to progesterone (☝️🏽 very important).

Consider booking a consultation with me (or your preferred health practitioner) if you think you may not be ovulation. This is one of the most important causes to assess 🚩  
Stay tuned though, I'll be posting about ovulation next week. 
🧡 Mac 
Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes. Always make sure you see a health professional before self-diagnosing or self-prescribing.

10/12/2021

✦ S***m health needs to be addressed ✦

📈It is no secret that fertility issues are rising at an alarming rate in men, and men's reproductive health needs improvement (1).

Case in point, a leading environmental and reproductive epidemiologist warned that most couples will have to use assisted reproductive technology (e.g. IVF) by 2045-2050 if s***m counts continue to decline.

So why is this happening? The answer is complex and complicated 🧐

But what is certain is that we can turn it around for the next generation by improving our health before conception🤰🏽

The key is to go back to basics and assess your life for the following:

🚩poor diets
🚩sedentary lifestyles
🚩chemical exposure
🚩unmediated stressors

If this is something you’re interested in, swipe right for tips on improving s***m health.

Always have those swimmers tested if you're 🧪

Preconception care and infertility is NOT just a female problem 🙅🏽‍♀️

You can book a consultation with me by using the link in my bio.

🧡 Mac
***mhealth ***mcount ***mmotility
Reference:
1. Levine, H., Jørgensen, N., Martino-Andrade, A., Mendiola, J., Weksler-Derri, D., Mindlis, I., Pinotti, R., & Swan, S. H. (2017). Temporal trends in s***m count: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis. Human reproduction update, 23(6), 646–659. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmx022

Vela Health

12/05/2022

14/04/2022

25/01/2022

01/01/2022

29/12/2021

27/12/2021

24/12/2021

23/12/2021

19/12/2021

18/12/2021

17/12/2021

10/12/2021

Address

Opening Hours

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share

Category