A helpline offering advice for medical and health professionals on managing fertility issues was launched by Natural Fertility New Zealand on 1 June 2009.

Free advice for medical and health professionals will be available Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 2pm on (07) 867 7809 or by e-mail on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The helpline is in response to the increasing number of inquiries doctors are receiving about fertility issues, says Catherine Harris, CEO of Natural Fertility NZ.

"Fertility management is a specialist area and one that doctors are being faced with more frequently as couples leave it longer to have their first child and face difficulties achieving pregnancy.

"There is also the issue of preventing pregnancy while breastfeeding or when there is a contraindication to other forms of contraception.  Also, some people whant to live a more natural lifestyle," said Ms Harris.

"We want to help medical and health professionals answer their patients' questions with clear, scientifically-based information and guidelines.

"We'd like to be able to offer a 24/7 helpline but, like many other charities, funding is a constraint so we're starting with a Tuesday to Friday service by 'phone or e-mail," she said.

Natural Fertility NZ also operates call free 0800 178 637 service for public and client enquiries.