Fertility, Ante-natal & Post-natal Care
Our aim is to offer advice, guidance and treatment using Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture to individuals or couples who would like to increase their chances for a natural conception and pregnancy and to offer supportive treatment for couples undergoing assisted reproduction. Whatever your age or background, we are here to help. We frequently work with couples using assisted conception techniques such as IVF and ICSI, as well as couples in their late 30's and 40's, providing support and information, with the goal of improving the general health of both partners.
Fertility Treatment and Support
With over 20 years of experience in the fertility field , we have helped many couples and individuals to fulfill their dream to become a parent. We work closely with you to give you the best chance of conceiving, having a healthy pregnancy, healthy baby and being healthy parents!
How Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture can help with Fertility?
Research has shown that acupuncture, usually combined with Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, can greatly increase fertility whether through natural conception or assisted reproduction and can improve the success rate of IVF by up to 60%.
Traditional Chinese Medicine and IVF
A carefully structured programme of treatment optimises the chances of success. Clients are encouraged to prepare well for a possible pregnancy. Ideally this preparation should begin 3 months before conception, whether normally or through reproductive techniques. Weekly or fortnightly acupuncture sessions combined with Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicines can help to bring the body into an optimal condition for pregnancy.
Treatment is aimed at adjusting the menstrual cycle to improve regularity, stimulating ovulation, boosting not only circulation but increasing energy levels and adjusting the hormonal levels to put the body into a more balanced state. Another important element of the treatment is to reduce stress; this is often an important element within difficulties in conceiving.
During this preparatory period it can be useful to offer treatment to your partner, if required, as well.
After the client starts to take the drugs prescribed by the IVF clinic, acupuncture continues on a weekly basis optimising the condition of the womb in preparation for hosting the embryo and helping to minimise the side effects of the drugs. Acupuncture is also given before and after the actual implantation. Once pregnancy has been confirmed, treatments continue, helping to maintain the desired hormonal balance as well as relieving symptoms of pregnancy such as morning sickness and fatigue. Throughout the treatment, advice is offered on nutrition, lifestyle etc.
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Conception
TCM is also very effective in increasing the rates of natural conception for those couples that are not undergoing IVF. Indeed, many of our clients have fallen pregnant whilst awaiting their IVF appointment! Diagnosis plays a strong part here, as it is important to establish, wherever possible, the cause of infertility. Often the effect of the treatment in important areas such as stress reduction or improved hormonal balance can result in a successful pregnancy. There may also be other factors such as underlying medical conditions, which will respond well to acupuncture, thus increasing the chances of conception.
How Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Works
In Traditional Chinese Medicine a very particular diagnostic method is used which involves looking at the tongue, the taking of pulses and various health questions. All of these lead to a Chinese diagnosis.
Ways in which Acupuncture helps
Acupuncture is a positive treatment – it stimulates the body to achieve its own balance and healing.
1. Better quality eggs produced by improving the function of the ovaries.
2. Hormones are regulated and balanced so that larger numbers of follicles are produced.
3. Increases the blood flow to the uterus and the thickness of the uterine lining.
4. Reduces stress and increases relaxation.
5. Helps to prevent uterine contraction.
6. Reduces toxic side effects of drugs used in IVF.
7. Boosts the immune system.
8. Semen improved in quantity, quality and motility thus improving quality of embryos.
9. Reduces chance of miscarriage.
Ante-Natal and Post-Natal Care
Whether or not you are experiencing difficulties in conceiving, we offer care before, during and after pregnancy.
Acupuncture and Ante-Natal Care
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help you to maintain a healthy pregnancy as well as relieving common symptoms such as morning sickness.
Following IVF we like to see you weekly for the first 3 months, then monthly or 6 weekly up to 36 weeks. Throughout your ante-natal care we will give you advice on diet and exercise tailored to your own body and symptoms. We hope to offer you safer alternative treatments for any common ailments or discomfort you may experience during pregnancy.
Pre-delivery treatment
· Help in reduction of any stress or anxiety.
· Help with natural induction of labour should your baby be overdue.
· Help to encourage a breech baby to turn.
Acupuncture and Post-Natal Care
We are pleased to offer you treatment and support for post-natal problems.
1. Recovery from Caesarean section.
2. Help to strengthen your immune system.
3. Recovery from any infections. We hope to help you minimise the need for antibiotics which you may wish to avoid, particularly if you are breast-feeding.
4. Help to relieve breast engorgement.
5. Treatment for thrush.
6. Help to boost energy levels.
7. Help with prevention of and recovery from post-natal depression.