Conceive

Zita West is one of the UK’s leading fertility and pregnancy experts. A midwife, acupuncturist and author, she founded the pioneering Zita West Clinic, the first holistic IVF clinic in London. For over 40 years, she has combined medical knowledge with nutritional and mind–body approaches to support women and couples worldwide. She is the creator of the HUG Method (Heart, Uterus, Gut), a consultant to global health brands and a trusted media voice on fertility and women’s health.

‘The fairy godmother of fertility.’ – The Telegraph‘Zita West is famous for helping women to get pregnant when everything else has failed.’ – The Times‘Zita, the baby dream maker.’ –  Sunday Mirror'Zita West has helped transform the way we think about fertility. This book is a powerful reminder that preparing for a baby is as much about emotional and spiritual well-being as it is about the body.' – Olivia Buckingham, Fashion Stylist'As Patron of the Chasing Rainbows charity, Zita has played an enormous role in raising awareness of the charity and the vital work it does supporting women on their fertility journeys.' – Samantha Catanach, Founder, the Chasing Rainbows Charity'Fertility is not simply about age or chance; it is shaped by cellular energy, oxidative balance and nutrient sufficiency. Research consistently shows that mitochondrial function underpins egg competence, that sperm are vulnerable to oxidative damage, and that preconception folate status is critical for early development. Zita West presents these evidence-based foundations in a way that empowers readers to focus on what truly matters in the months leading up to pregnancy.' – Dr Federica Amati, Head Nutritionist at ZOE & Visiting Research Fellow in Public Health, Imperial College London'Zita West has long been a trusted voice in fertility care, and this book beautifully reflects her integrative approach. She brings together science, clinical wisdom and compassion to help readers understand fertility not as a single moment, but as a whole-body state of readiness shaped by the nervous system, immune system, hormones and the microbiome. It’s an empowering guide that invites us to work with the body’s biology rather than against it.' – Dr Jenna Macciochi, PhD, Immunologist & Author'I loved the beautiful metaphor of ‘preparing the soil’. As a cook, I know that nourishing the body with the right foods is one of the most powerful ways we can support our health. Conceive is a gentle and inspiring guide to preparing the body for new life.' – Melissa Hemsley, Cook & Author'Zita’s vision and foresight in fertility care have always been extraordinary. Having founded the Zita West Clinic with her, I have seen first-hand the impact of her work on thousands of families. This book brings together decades of insight, compassion and expertise.' – George Ndukwe, Consultant Gynaecologist IVF & Co-Founder, Zita West Clinic

• Preface The Spark Beneath Everything 1Introduction Where Science and Spirit First Met 6Chapter 1 Preparing the Soil 12Chapter 2 Energy – The Spark of Life 24Chapter 3 The Power of Beginning 38Chapter 4 Mind, Body and Spirit – Coming Home to Yourself 49Chapter 5 HUG – Listening to the Intelligence Within 60Chapter 6 Starting the Conversation – The HUG Visualisation 74Chapter 7 The Rhythm of Light and Shadow 90Chapter 8 Sex, Intimacy and Connection 100Chapter 9 The Wisdom of the Seasons 116Chapter 10 Letting Go – Clearing the Weeds of the Fertility Mind 130Chapter 11 The Stories We Carry 141Chapter 12 The Seeds of Life 160Chapter 13 Tending The Spark – 100-Day Mitochondrial Plan 185for Fertility and IVFChapter 14 The Garden of the Microbiome 202Chapter 15 Lifestyle – The Conditions for Growth 215Chapter 16 When Seeds Don’t Sprout 228Chapter 17 When Science Meets Soul: Preparing for IVF 244Chapter 18 Going Through IVF 256Chapter 19 The Landscape of Loss 282Chapter 20 The Cycles of Life and the Fertility Journey 296Acknowledgements 302Work With Zita West 303Resources & Recommendations 304