Holistic fertility care in Chennai – a message from The Birthwave
When couples come to our clinic at The Birthwave, expecting a straightforward path to pregnancy, what we often find is this: fertility treatment and advice has become a booming industry. Everyone wants to help, many want to profit-and unfortunately, not everyone is giving evidence-based, patient-centred guidance. In the process, couples can get misled, overcharged, unnecessarily stressed, or diverted from what really matters.
In this post I’ll cover:
How fertility and conception have become areas of broad interest (and sometimes exploitation) beyond traditional gynecology.
Why getting the right information from the right people is absolutely essential (especially for diet, lifestyle, physical activity, fertility coaching).
A cautionary story from our clinic (with identities changed) of a couple who followed random online advice from an influencer and spent huge sums with poor results.
How The Birthwave does things differently: under gynecologist guidance, integrated holistic team, transparent evidence-based protocols, natural-first but realistic about when treatments are needed.
What you should look for when selecting a fertility/holistic-wellness clinic in Chennai, and how to avoid common traps.
Practical take-aways for couples trying to conceive: what questions to ask, what red flags to watch, and how to work smarter not harder.
1. Why Fertility Has Become “Everybody’s Business”
A decade ago, fertility services tended to be narrowly located within obstetric/gynecology departments or specialist IVF centres. Today, you’ll find:
Workshops on fertility and “how to conceive” run by wellness coaches, dietitians, online influencers.
Social-media “fertility gurus” promising shortcuts, miracle diets, supplement stacks, workshops and paid programmes.
A booming “add-on” market in fertility treatments: extra tests, unproven supplements, empirical lifestyle programmes tacked on to IVF/ICSI cycles. For example, in the UK a regulator found 73% of fertility patients used unproven add-on treatments such as supplements or extra drugs, despite little evidence of benefit.
Clinics, wellness centres and “fertility retreats” popping up, offering “holistic conception” packages, even when the couple’s medical work-up has not been done or verified.
This is not necessarily all bad-holistic care, lifestyle support and fertility awareness are positive. But the problem arises when information is unbalanced, when overpromising replaces realism, when expensive programmes overshadow core medical evaluation, or when people skip the basic guided path under a qualified gynecologist or fertility physician.
The ethical/regulatory side
There is also a documented risk of misuse or abuse in the fertility sector. For example:
A review found that patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology may experience “abuse” in the sense of coercion, insufficient informed consent, or untransparent add-on treatments.
Ethical guidance emphasises the obligations of fertility practitioners: to ensure disclosure, informed consent, realistic information about risks and effectiveness.
Even major fertility treatments like IVF carry risks-such as ovarian hyperstimulation, multiple pregnancies, and long‐term health considerations.
So, in short: yes, fertility treatment and advice can be misused-not always intentionally, but because lines blur between evidence-based care, commercialised programmes, wellness hype, and patient vulnerability.
2. Why “Right Information from Right People” Matters
When you are trying to conceive, you want trustworthy guidance across multiple domains: medical, nutritional, physical activity/exercise, stress/emotional, lifestyle, relationship, environmental exposures. But how do you ensure you are working with qualified professionals and not simply following “random advice”?
Key domains and why precision matters
1. Medical evaluation
Without a proper medical work-up (partner semen analysis, female ovulation/ovarian reserve, uterine/tubal evaluation, hormone screens) you may treat the wrong thing-or not treat a real obstacle.
For example: you may focus on diet and supplements when the issue is tubal blockage or severe oligospermia. In that case, “wellness only” won’t suffice.
2. Lifestyle/Nutrition/Exercise advice
These are highly relevant-but they must be tailored to your fertility status, underlying medical conditions and cultural context. A “one-size-fits-all” Instagram reel is unlikely to address key variables (BMI, PCOS, endometriosis, male factor, etc).
Credentials matter: a dietitian with fertility specialisation is very different from a generic “nutrition coach”. A fitness influencer with a certification course in lifestyle management may not provide you the lifestyle change you need to make for a pregnancy.
3. Holistic/Emotional/Relational support
Stress, sleep, relationship dynamics, body image, libido, emotional health- they all affect fertility. But they also need someone aware of fertility-specific issues (not just general wellness).
A “fertility coach” without medical oversight may miss medical red flags (for example, suppressed ovulation, male hormone deficiency) while focusing simply on “positive thinking”.
The dangers of following random advice
You might spend large amounts of money on programmes that give no real benefit for your specific scenario.
You may delay getting necessary diagnostics or treatments-wasting valuable fertile time. In fertility, time matters.
You could adopt diets/supplements/exercises that are counter-productive (e.g., extreme calorie restriction, over-exercise, unmonitored herbs) especially if you have fertility-related hormone imbalances.
You may elevate stress (feeling you must attend workshops, doing many interventions) rather than focus on essentials.
You may mistakenly believe that “natural always works” and ignore when medical assistance is required-thus limiting your chance of success.
That’s why: the quality of information-provision and the credential of the provider matter just as much as the intervention itself.
3. A Real-Life Example from The Birthwave
Allow me to share a vignette (names and specifics changed) from couples we have seen here in Chennai-because sometimes the “too good to be true” path is very appealing but also distracting.
Case: “Aarav & Shruti” Aarav (34) and Shruti (31) had been trying to conceive for 18 months when they arrived at The Birthwave. They had no obvious medical history of infertility, but had done minimal work-up. Prior to coming to us they had joined a high-cost “fertility workshop” run by an influencer who billed herself as a “fertility and wellness guru”. The programme included monthly online webinars, a prescribed “fertility diet” (no red meat, high GI fruit avoidance, multiple exotic supplements) and “fertility yoga flows”. They paid a substantial sum and believed that once they finished the course, pregnancy would follow.
After 6 months they were disappointed-no pregnancy. They were tired, stressed, the cost had mounted, and their intimacy had become “scheduled”. When they came to us:
We did a full medical evaluation. It revealed that Aarav had a mild oligospermia (low sperm count) and Shruti had evidence of endometriosis (which the wellness programme had never checked for).
We explained that while lifestyle/nutrition/yoga absolutely have a place, they cannot replace diagnostics and individualised fertility management under a gynecologist.
We designed a plan: lifestyle optimisation (nutrition + moderate exercise + stress reduction) plus targeted fertility work-up and monitoring.
We guided them away from an “all or nothing” mindset of “natural only” and kept a realistic timeline.
Within 9 months (with one cycle of IUI plus the holistic optimisation) they conceived.
From their testimony: “We realised we were spending more on the workshop than we did on our fertility work-up-and worse, we were ignoring our real fertility signals. The guru gave us hope but no real diagnostics.”
What this teaches
Good branding and “wellness appeal” do not substitute medical credentials and evidence-based assessment.
A holistic programme is most effective when it is integrated with a qualified fertility physician/gynecologist-not instead of one.
It’s absolutely fine to choose a holistic path-but shouldn’t bypass the basic medical pathway when trying to conceive.
Timing matters-every month counts. Delay caused by chasing “wellness only” without diagnostics can reduce chances of success.
4. How The Birthwave Does It Differently - Our Holistic Fertility Framework
At The Birthwave in Nungambakkam we have structured our clinic to deliver a balanced, integrated, fertility-focused model that honours both the natural & the medical. Here’s how:
1. Gynecologist-led fertility evaluation
Every couple begins with a consultation with our gynecologist (and fertility physician as needed). We review both partners: hormone profiles, semen analysis, ovarian reserve, uterine/tubal imaging, medical history, lifestyle factors.
This ensures that we do not start from lifestyle alone-because if there is a treatable medical obstacle, it should be identified early.
We use evidence-based guidelines to assess when natural conception is plausible, and when to consider stepping-up to assisted fertility.
2. Holistic wellness team under one roof
Nutritionist (with fertility specialisation)
Physical activity/exercise physiologist (focusing on fertility-friendly movement)
Naturopathy practitioner - Stress/relaxation coach (yoga, mindfulness)
Psychologist – crucial for couples going through long standing fertility issues, couples intimacy support)
Relationship/sexual‐well‐being counsellor (to support libido, connection, communication)
Fertility nurse coordinator (to help track cycle, appointments, adjust plan)
Because all providers work in coordination with the gynecologist, the whole programme remains medically coherent-not just a collection of independent “modules”.
3. Natural‐first but realistic
Many couples benefit significantly from lifestyle + nutrition + optimisation of health + intimacy enhancement alone. We prioritise that route because it builds foundation, reduces unnecessary interventions and aligns with our holistic philosophy.
But we are realistic: if diagnostics show diminished ovarian reserve, male factor requiring ICSI, tubal block etc, we don’t delay. We transparently discuss assisted treatments, probabilities, cost-benefit, and how we integrate them with the holistic path.
We emphasise clarity: what is the next step, what is optional, how long we will wait, what metrics we will watch.
4. Transparent programmes, no hidden hype
We avoid selling “miracle conception in 30 days” programmes. Those are rarely scientifically credible.
Instead we provide clear outlines: what is included, what is optional, what the expected timeline is, when to escalate.
We educate couples on real success rates, possible obstacles, and how “wellness” supports-not replaces-medical fertility care.
5. Localised for Chennai & India context
We understand culture, typical lifestyle patterns, diet norms in Chennai & South India. Our nutrition plans respect local food, festive habits, work-life constraints.
Our fertility counselling addresses Indian couple dynamics, extended family pressures, and emotional cultural context.
We enable convenient access in Nungambakkam (central Chennai) and support outof-town couples too.
5. How to Choose a Fertility/Holistic Wellness Clinic (and Avoid the Traps)
If you’re exploring fertility support in Chennai (or broader India), here are some questions and red flags to help you filter clinics and programmes:
Questions to ask
Does the clinic begin with a gynecologist or fertility physician consultation? Are both partners evaluated?
Will you get a detailed diagnostic work-up (hormones, semen, imaging) before being placed on a “programme”?
Is the nutrition/fitness/stress coaching integrated with medical oversight-or loosely tacked on?
What is the success rate? Are you given realistic probabilities (based on age, diagnosis, previous attempts) or only optimistic marketing?
Are “add-on” services (supplements, exotic therapies) clearly explained in terms of evidence and cost?
What are the escalation/next steps if the “natural optimisation” route doesn’t achieve pregnancy in a given timeframe?
Are roles/responsibilities clear? Who is the medical lead, who is the wellness lead, how do they coordinate?
How transparent is the cost structure? Are there hidden workshops/retreats or mandatory “upgrades”?
Red flags
Big promises: “conceive in 30 days naturally”, “no need for fertility medicines”, “workshop + supplements solves everything”.
Influencer-led programmes without credentialed fertility specialists/gynecologists involved.
High-cost “retreats” or “masterclasses” sold as essential, before diagnostics.
Add-on packages whose efficacy is unsupported by peer-reviewed data.
Pressure to buy “extras” (supplements, new tests) without clear explanation of benefit/risk.
Lack of partner (male) evaluation or focus solely on female partner.
Delays in diagnostics because you are “on a programme” rather than starting investigations early.
Key take-away
Wellness + holistic support are highly valuable in fertility. But they are most effective when they complement the medical pathway-not replace it. Choose a clinic that offers both with coordination.
6. Why Realistic is Better Than Idealistic
It’s understandable: many couples want the “ideal” story-conceive naturally quickly, zero stress, minimal intervention. But as fertility specialists we must give you a realistic roadmap:
Age, ovarian reserve, sperm quality, tubal status, lifestyle-all influence how likely natural conception is.
“Natural only” is perfectly valid in many cases-but in others, delaying intervention may reduce overall success.
A high-quality holistic programme helps build health, improve outcomes, reduce need for invasive intervention-but it doesn’t guarantee success alone.
Assisted treatments exist for a reason. When used judiciously, they can markedly improve chances of pregnancy.
We believe in the mantra: “Optimisation first, escalation when required”. That means build the body, mind, connection, lifestyle-and if the diagnostics show a barrier, escalate intelligently.
At The Birthwave we want couples to start with empowerment (lifestyle, connection, health) and move with clarity to the next steps if needed. That way you remain in control, informed, realistic-and hopeful.
7. Call to Action – How to Engage With The Birthwave
If you are in or around Chennai (or willing to travel), here’s how you can take the next step with us:
Book a Pre-Conception & Fertility Assessment Consultation at The Birthwave, Nungambakkam. We will evaluate both partners, review your lifestyle and fertility history, and map out a tailored plan.
Ask for our Holistic Fertility Optimisation Plan: 4- to 6-week baseline where we focus on health optimisation (nutrition, movement, stress, relationship) and run diagnostics.
Attend our Couples Fertility Workshop where we speak frankly about what works, what doesn’t, how to avoid ‘fertility hype’, how to keep your body & relationship ready.
Subscribe to our newsletter/blog to receive regular fertility-wellness content (nutrition tips, movement suggestions, fertility mindset) designed for couples in India.
8. Final Thoughts
Fertility is a profound journey-not just a matter of “timing the ovulation”. It involves your body, your partner, your lifestyle, your emotional wellbeing and your relationship. Because of its complexity, fertility has understandably attracted many players-wellness coaches, influencers, add-on markets-but that also means there is noise and risk of being mis-led.
At The Birthwave we believe in your journey, and our promise to you is: Rooted in medical clarity + supported by holistic empowerment.
We will guide you with the right diagnostics, the right lifestyle foundation, the right relationship support-and when needed, the right fertility treatments.
No gimmicks. No false promises. Just a clear, compassionate, realistic path toward your parenthood goal.
If you’re ready to begin-with intention, partnership and scientifically-supported care-we’d love to walk this path with you. Reach out today.
Written by Dr. Santoshi Nandigam, Gynecologist & Holistic Fertility Specialist, The Birthwave, Nungambakkam, Chennai.
If you found this helpful, please share it with someone who’s trying to conceive-and follow our blog for more evidence-based fertility & wellness insights.
.jpg)
.jpg)
0 Comments