Fertility & Preconception Support in Sydney |
Sonia Savage, Functional Nutritionist
Whether you're just starting to plan a pregnancy, have been trying for years, or are somewhere in the IVF journey, this area of my practice is closest to my heart. I've walked a fertility journey of my own, and I bring that understanding to every couple I work with.
Book a Fertility ConsultationIs This You?
You've been trying to conceive for months or years, and you're tired of being told to "just relax"
You've had IVF cycles that didn't work, and no one has properly investigated why
You have an autoimmune condition, thyroid issue, or endometriosis and you want your body in the best possible place before pregnancy
You've experienced miscarriage and want to understand what more can be looked at
You're planning ahead and want evidence-based preconception care done properly, for both of you
The DNA of a Child Is a 50-50 Deal
This is the thing I'm most insistent about, and in my experience it's the piece most fertility journeys get wrong: the focus lands almost entirely on the female. Working with only one partner is like having an arm tied behind your back.
Half the genetic material comes from the male partner, and his health is very frequently under-investigated. I've seen couples endure repeated failed IVF cycles where no one had ever ordered a semen analysis or checked the male partner's basic bloods. Medications, nutrient deficiencies and undiagnosed conditions on the male side can carry enormous weight, and they're often straightforward to address once they're actually seen.
So, wherever possible, I ask both partners to come on this journey. In my experience, the guys are fantastic once they're in the room.
How I Approach Fertility Differently
A Genuinely Deep Investigation
I take a comprehensive health history from both of you, review your bloods against optimal (not just "normal") ranges, and may use functional and genetic testing when it changes the plan. I'm always looking at all the angles: thyroid autoantibodies, nutrient status, gut health, inflammation, environmental exposures, and more.
Nutrigenomics for Truly Individualised Care
With 10 years of specialised experience in genetics and methylation, I can tailor your preconception plan around your individual requirements for folate, B12, choline, vitamin D and other nutrients critical to conception and a baby's development.
The Anti-Inflammatory Foundation
Where autoimmunity or inflammation is in the picture, I'll be honest: this is an area where I'm firm with my clients, because I've seen what a focused anti-inflammatory approach over four to six months can do for the markers that matter.
Empathy First, Always
If you arrive carrying grief from losses or failed cycles, we start by acknowledging that journey, not rushing past it. I may also suggest supportive adjunct therapies to help you process what you've been through. This is a safe space.
The Process
Before we meet, you'll complete a detailed health history through my secure booking system and, where possible, gather recent blood results. I review everything before your appointment.
Initial Consultation (Each Partner)
A thorough conversation about your history, your journey so far, and what's been missed. We identify what testing will actually be useful.
Testing and Interpretation
Bloods, and where indicated, genetic and functional testing. You'll receive a written summary with optimal ranges beside your results, so you understand exactly where things stand.
Your Roadmap
A clear, staged plan covering diet, targeted supplementation (dispensed through Vital.ly), lifestyle and environmental factors, with realistic timeframes.
Ongoing Support
Many of my fertility families continue the relationship well beyond birth, moving into care for their growing children. Many of my fertility families stay with me right through to their children's wellness.
Timeframes, Honestly
Preconception care done properly takes time. Egg and sperm development cycles mean we generally want at least three to four months of focused preparation, and where autoimmunity or significant imbalances are involved, four to six months or more. Every couple is different, and I'll never promise a specific outcome. What I can promise is a thorough investigation, an individualised, evidence-based plan, and a practitioner fully invested in your journey.
One couple came to me after five years of trying, having been told IVF was their only option. A thorough investigation revealed significantly elevated thyroid autoantibodies. After months of dedicated anti-inflammatory work, those markers fell dramatically, and they went on to conceive naturally, twice. Every couple's journey is different, and outcomes can never be guaranteed, but stories like this are why I insist on looking at every angle.
— Sonia Savage
Consultation Fees
Initial Consultation (Per Person)
Comprehensive health history & plan
$250
Follow-Up Consultation
45 minutes
$160
30 minutes
$129
Functional and genetic testing fees are additional and recommended only when they will genuinely inform your plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do both partners really need to attend?
Wherever possible, yes. Half of your future child's DNA comes from each partner, and male factors are very commonly under-investigated. If your partner can't attend initially, we can still begin, and I'll guide you on the key tests worth arranging for him.
We've had failed IVF cycles. Can nutrition still help?
Nutrition and functional testing can uncover factors that standard fertility workups sometimes miss, including thyroid autoantibodies, nutrient deficiencies, and male-factor issues. I work alongside your IVF clinic, not instead of it, to get your bodies in the best possible position.
I have Hashimoto's / an autoimmune condition. Does that change the approach?
Yes, and it makes preconception preparation even more valuable. Dampening inflammation before conception is central to my approach for autoimmune clients, typically over four to six months of focused work.
Do you offer online consultations?
Yes. I consult online worldwide, with in-person appointments available in Sydney. Fertility clients work with me from all over the world.
How soon should we start before trying to conceive?
A minimum of three months, and ideally six months, before you start trying to align with egg and sperm development cycles. If you're already trying, or already in IVF, it's not too late to start.
Start Your Preconception Journey
Book a fertility consultation online. You'll receive a confirmation with your health history form so we can make the most of your first appointment.
Book a Fertility Consultation