Conceive
Published on 15. May 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
320 pages
978-1-918191-19-6 (ISBN)
Description
What if your fertility isn't broken, just blocked?
From the pioneering fertility expert who has helped thousands of women conceive.
With over four decades of experience supporting women and couples worldwide, Zita West understands what many modern approaches miss: fertility begins when the body's internal systems are working in alignment.
At the heart of this is the HUG Method, a framework that recognises the unique intelligence of each 'brain' in the body: the Heart, the Uterus and the Gut. Blending neuroscience, biology and holistic healing, this approach helps you regulate your nervous system, reconnect with your cycle and release subconscious patterns that may be impacting conception.
This method works alongside both natural conception and IVF, helping you optimise your body's internal environment for pregnancy and understand that your fertility is not broken, but influenced by patterns that can be shifted.
With guided visualisations, reflective questions and practical tools, Conceive shows how to listen to your body, uncover emotional patterns and create space for new life.
Conceive is more than a fertility guide. It's a roadmap to transformation, inviting you to come home to your body and the creative power within.
From the pioneering fertility expert who has helped thousands of women conceive.
With over four decades of experience supporting women and couples worldwide, Zita West understands what many modern approaches miss: fertility begins when the body's internal systems are working in alignment.
At the heart of this is the HUG Method, a framework that recognises the unique intelligence of each 'brain' in the body: the Heart, the Uterus and the Gut. Blending neuroscience, biology and holistic healing, this approach helps you regulate your nervous system, reconnect with your cycle and release subconscious patterns that may be impacting conception.
This method works alongside both natural conception and IVF, helping you optimise your body's internal environment for pregnancy and understand that your fertility is not broken, but influenced by patterns that can be shifted.
With guided visualisations, reflective questions and practical tools, Conceive shows how to listen to your body, uncover emotional patterns and create space for new life.
Conceive is more than a fertility guide. It's a roadmap to transformation, inviting you to come home to your body and the creative power within.
Reviews / Votes
'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
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Illustrations
59 black and white illustrations/infographics
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
550 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-918191-19-6 (9781918191196)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
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.
Content
Preface The Spark Beneath Everything 1
Introduction Where Science and Spirit First Met 6
Chapter 1 Preparing the Soil 12
Chapter 2 Energy - The Spark of Life 24
Chapter 3 The Power of Beginning 38
Chapter 4 Mind, Body and Spirit - Coming Home to Yourself 49
Chapter 5 HUG - Listening to the Intelligence Within 60
Chapter 6 Starting the Conversation - The HUG Visualisation 74
Chapter 7 The Rhythm of Light and Shadow 90
Chapter 8 Sex, Intimacy and Connection 100
Chapter 9 The Wisdom of the Seasons 116
Chapter 10 Letting Go - Clearing the Weeds of the Fertility Mind 130
Chapter 11 The Stories We Carry 141
Chapter 12 The Seeds of Life 160
Chapter 13 Tending The Spark - 100-Day Mitochondrial Plan 185
for Fertility and IVF
Chapter 14 The Garden of the Microbiome 202
Chapter 15 Lifestyle - The Conditions for Growth 215
Chapter 16 When Seeds Don't Sprout 228
Chapter 17 When Science Meets Soul: Preparing for IVF 244
Chapter 18 Going Through IVF 256
Chapter 19 The Landscape of Loss 282
Chapter 20 The Cycles of Life and the Fertility Journey 296
Acknowledgements 302
Work With Zita West 303
Resources & Recommendations 304
Introduction Where Science and Spirit First Met 6
Chapter 1 Preparing the Soil 12
Chapter 2 Energy - The Spark of Life 24
Chapter 3 The Power of Beginning 38
Chapter 4 Mind, Body and Spirit - Coming Home to Yourself 49
Chapter 5 HUG - Listening to the Intelligence Within 60
Chapter 6 Starting the Conversation - The HUG Visualisation 74
Chapter 7 The Rhythm of Light and Shadow 90
Chapter 8 Sex, Intimacy and Connection 100
Chapter 9 The Wisdom of the Seasons 116
Chapter 10 Letting Go - Clearing the Weeds of the Fertility Mind 130
Chapter 11 The Stories We Carry 141
Chapter 12 The Seeds of Life 160
Chapter 13 Tending The Spark - 100-Day Mitochondrial Plan 185
for Fertility and IVF
Chapter 14 The Garden of the Microbiome 202
Chapter 15 Lifestyle - The Conditions for Growth 215
Chapter 16 When Seeds Don't Sprout 228
Chapter 17 When Science Meets Soul: Preparing for IVF 244
Chapter 18 Going Through IVF 256
Chapter 19 The Landscape of Loss 282
Chapter 20 The Cycles of Life and the Fertility Journey 296
Acknowledgements 302
Work With Zita West 303
Resources & Recommendations 304