Whether you are trying naturally, undergoing fertility treatment, struggling with infertility and not knowing where to turn or have suffered recurrent losses there will be something that Acupuncture can offer. Every treatment that you receive will be individualised to your specific situation and by working with your most recent medical test results we will work together to formulate a treatment plan that is best for you. Your situation is unique, and your treatment will also be unique; to you.
I work with women who have been diagnosed with anything ranging from ‘undiagnosed infertility’ to secondary infertility. Many of my patients have recognised gynaecological complaints such as PCOS, Endometriosis and recurrent miscarriage or recurrent implantation failure. I also work with women and support them as they go through their assisted reproductive therapies such as IVF or IUI. All can be helped in some way with Acupuncture.
After our first consultation where we will delve into your fertility history I will go on to provide you with a report detailing all my recommendations. This may include further testing, for both you and your partner, along with referrals as to where is the best way to seek these either through the NHS or privately. I will also make lifestyle hints and tips that can support you on your fertility journey. In my experience undiagnosed usually means not properly tested. I will help you find the answers that you need.
My starting point is always to establish a regular, balanced cycle. This is vital to enable pregnancy. We need to work on getting a good follicle recruitment, healthy ovulation and a long enough luteal phase to enable implantation.
When should I start treatment?
Follicular recruitment can be influenced from around three months before ovulation and the sperm that will fertilize that egg takes nine weeks to make. Therefore, I would recommend starting Acupuncture three months before any ART intervention. If you are not yet at the stage of considering ART but have been trying for a while now is the time to get started with Acupuncture and let me help you find some answers.
How many treatments will I need?
Before starting treatment, and for couples trying to conceive naturally, I would suggest one treatment every week during your first cycle with me. After this continued weekly treatments are ideal or at least fortnightly. We will continually review your situation, and I will make suggestions on any necessary referrals as I feel they are necessary.
I’m due to start IVF is it too late?
Not at all. If you are interested in starting Acupuncture in conjunction with starting your Fertility treatment, that's fine too. You will still need to have the Initial consultation session so that I can fully understand where you are on your fertility journey. I would then recommend the following:
During Down Regulators (Long Protocol)
- one or two treatments dependent on side effects of medications.
During Ovarian Stimulation Phase
– one or two treatments depending on how follicles are progressing.
Egg Collection
– As soon as possible after procedure but within 24 hours.
Embryo Transfer
– Before and after procedure within 24 hours is ideal but if both can’t be managed, I always opt for the post transfer treatment.
Two Week Wait
– This is a vital time to treat as it maintains a healthy oxygenated blood supply to the uterus whilst reducing inflammation and stress levels. The waiting to test is often the hardest part of a cycle as ‘all the doing is done’.
Every treatment will be individualised with the pre and post Embryo transfer treatments usually incorporating the Paulus Protocol. There has been in depth research into this standardised protocol with research showing it can increase the likelihood of pregnancy by 16.2% compared to patients that don’t receive Acupuncture.
Whatever route you to take Acupuncture can support you. You are not alone, and I am here to help, listen and encourage.
