Who is this program for?
This 4-month program is for women who want to conceive and have the healthiest pregnancy possible. It’s for those who have been trying for some time to conceive, without success. It is also for women who may not yet be actively trying to get pregnant but would like to prepare their body for pregnancy using naturopathic methods. Our doctors meet virtually with patients, making the program accessible to women almost anywhere in the world. Since optimizing sperm is a crucial part of fertility, we also offer an adjunctive program so male partners can be part of the process.
Can I do this protocol if I am already doing IVF or IUI?
YES. This program is perfectly safe and can actually help optimize your chances of conceiving when doing IVF (in vitro fertilization) or IUI (intrauterine insemination).
What makes The Dr. Maura Practice Fertility Protocol special?
- The issues that affect your ability to get pregnant are intricate. To get a true picture, it is crucial to look at every aspect of your health.
- At The Dr. Maura Practice, we take a comprehensive approach to assessing and addressing all the health issues that can impact your ability to conceive a child. The program includes comprehensive functional medicine testing to assess your health at its root level and how it impacts your egg quality and ability to conceive. See below for the functional medicine tests included.
- You will be tested for hormone levels, thyroid function and blood sugar/insulin levels. You will also do DNA testing for “methylation defect” (MTHFR), a genetic condition that can increase risk of miscarriage.
- Your doctor will teach you how to know when you are at your most fertile every month, and provide you with a nutrition plan specifically tailored to you. We have also devised a program of daily supplements (included in the package) designed to help your body produce and ripen a healthy follicle.
- Finally, what makes this program so special is the emotional support you will receive from your doctor. Together, you will create a checklist/timeline of your program, to help you feel more confident – and less overwhelmed at this often highly emotional time. She will also help you navigate the complexities of the greater medical system, if and when you decide you might want to try IVF or IUI.
Why work with The Dr. Maura Practice?
In addition to being experienced and widely respected doctors of naturopathic medicine, our physicians have specific training in and long-term experience with fertility and preconception. Thus, we’re not only professionally experienced, but we have a deep understanding of the emotional, medical and nutritional needs during:
- conception
- pre-natal care
- childbirth
- motherhood
What is included in this fertility program?
This program is a combination of private consultations, lab tests and natural supplements. Here is a breakdown of what is included.
CONSULTATIONS (6)
- WEEK 1: Initial 60-minute consultation to discuss your personal history, explain how to track your ovulation and metabolism, discuss and arrange your lab tests, and get you started on some basic pre- natal supplements to prepare your body for pregnancy. You will also have the option for your male partner (If you have one), to embark on a his own program to help with healthy sperm production while you are trying to conceive (ask us for more details). You and your doctor will also create a checklist/timeline of your program, so you can keep track of everything in one place.
- WEEK 3: 60-minute consultation to review your initial lab results, discuss your nutritional requirements, and discuss hormone balancing so your estrogen and progesterone levels are optimal at the right times throughout your monthly cycle. At this point, you will be put on a special dietary plan to support your hormone balance, and begin the next phase of natural supplements.
- WEEK 5: 30-minute consultation to review your food panel and/or any other lab tests that have come in. You and your doctor will analyze your basal body temperature and discuss ovulation prediction. Depending upon your lab results, you might be put on additional supplements at this time.
- WEEK 8: 30-minute consultation to review the rest of your lab results, assess and review your program so far, and revise your supplements and treatment plan as needed.
- WEEK 12: 30-minute consultation after your usual menstrual cycle (even if it doesn’t happen). This is again to review, assess and modify your plan as needed. If you happen to get pregnant during this time, you will begin working with your doctor on pre-natal care instead of fertility.
- WEEK 16: 30-minute consultation, to take place after your usual menstrual cycle (even if it doesn’t happen). This is again to review, assess and modify your plan as needed. If you happen to get pregnant during this time, you will begin working with Dr. Maura on pre-natal care instead of fertility.
If you have NOT gotten pregnant by the time of your consultation during Week 16, you and your doctor will discuss other options you might wish to consider. The timeline may also be extended to 20 or 24 weeks to accommodate labs or imaging that are menstrual cycle timing-dependent.
Additional follow-up sessions can always be scheduled a la carte, as needed.
LAB TESTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE
This package includes the following functional medicine tests:
- IgG food sensitivity testing to determine whether any foods are interfering with your body’s balance and metabolism.
- Dutch Complete to assess hormone levels and adrenals
- Metabolomix organic acid nutrient evaluation to assess factors affecting egg quality
(These tests are not normally covered by insurance; therefore, are included in the cost of the program.)
Bloodwork will be ordered and run through your insurance:
- HORMONES: FSH, LH, prolactin, cycle day 3 estradiol
- COMPREHENSIVE THYROID PANEL: TSH, T3 (total), T4 (total), free T3, free T4, reverse T3, anti-TP0, anti- thyroglobulin
- BLOOD SUGAR: HA1c, fasting insulin test
- GENETIC TESTING FOR MTHFR
- IRON PANEL AND FERRITIN
SUPPLEMENTS
The following crucial supplements are INCLUDED in the cost of the package. We’ve hand-picked our favorite prenatal, omega-3 and egg quality supplement. (4-month supply):
- THORNE PRENATAL– 60 capsules
- THORNE DHA – 60 capsules
- VITANICA OVUM AM – 60 capsules
- VITANICA OVUM PM – 60 capsules
SPECIAL DISCOUNTS
You will also receive a 10% discount on any additional labs or supplements you might wish to purchase from The Dr. Maura Practice for the duration of your 4-month plan.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
This package also includes email support (during office hours only), where you can email your queries between your consultation sessions. Dr. Maura or a member of her team aim to reply within 48 hours on weekdays.
HOW MUCH DOES THE PROGRAM COST?
The total cost of this 4-month program is $2,790—a savings of 20% ($704) over a la carte pricing for the same services.
ABOUT THE DOCTORS
MAURA HENNINGER, N.D. – Clinical Director
In private practice for almost a decade and a half, Dr. Henninger has specialized in the treatment of women’s health and fertility and helped many women and couples conceive using the best that functional medicine has to offer. As a mother of two young girls who conceived naturally twice in her 40s, she has a deep commitment to helping women holistically embrace their reproductive health with the powerful combination of evidence-backed science and naturopathic medicine. To each woman she works with, she brings a deep understanding of the emotional, medical and nutritional needs of women preparing for childbirth and struggling with fertility issues.
Dr. Henninger graduated from the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine and received her undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College, both magna cum laude, and her premedical training at Columbia University. Dr. Maura is an emeritus board member and current member of the New York Association of Naturopathic Physicians, and a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
SHANNON CAVANAUGH, N.D. – Lead Physician, The Fertility Blueprint
Dr. Cavanaugh has dedicated her clinical experience to assisting couples in conceiving and achieving healthy pregnancies and will be leading patients through the program. She believes that fertility reflects overall health and vitality, crucial for both men and women. She emphasizes the importance of optimal health prior to pregnancy, recognizing its significance not only in successful conception but also in ensuring a healthy pregnancy, a thriving baby, and a smooth postpartum recovery. In her work, Dr. Cavanaugh utilizes comprehensive functional testing to evaluate hormones, gut health, adrenal function, thyroid health and more. She pairs this information with naturopathic modalities including nutrition, lifestyle, herbal medicine, and supplement support to help patients achieve optimal fertility and pregnancy.
Dr. Cavanaugh earned her medical degree from the one of the five accredited naturopathic schools in the U.S., Sonoran University of Health Sciences, and completed a two-year general medicine residency at the Sonoran University medical clinic. During her residency, she specialized in naturopathic gynecology, and advanced integrative infertility care. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona.
Based in New York and the surrounding tristate area, The Dr. Maura Practice serves patients worldwide.
To request a free consultation to discuss whether this is the right treatment program for you, contact us at:
PHONE: 646-876-9986
EMAIL: staff@drmaura.com
