ACUPUNCTURE FOR FERTILITY AND PREGNANCY
HOW CAN ACUPUNCTURE HELP MY FERTILITY?
Research has shown that Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine may be able to:-
Improve ovarian function to produce better quality eggs, regulate the hormones to produce more follicles and increase the thickness of the uterine lining
Assist relaxation, reduce stress and lessen the side effects of drugs used in Assisted Fertility Treatments
Strengthen the immune system
Improve semen quantity, quality and motility
Decrease the chances of miscarriage
HOW CAN ACUPUNCTURE AFFECT PREGANANCY RATES FOR IVF/ICSI PROCEDURES?
A randomised trial published in April 2002 ("Fertility and Sterility" Vol.77, No.4) concluded that, compared to the control group, "the analysis shows that the pregnancy rate for the acupuncture group is considerably higher (42.5% success versus 26.3%) ...the results demonstrate that acupuncture therapy improves pregnancy rates". This protocol gave acupuncture treatments both 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after embryo transfer. However, if this is not possible, it is currently accepted that the two treatments carried out within 24 hours of the transfer is just as effective.
The fees charged for embryo transfer treatments are £100 for the pair. In addition, I will always want to see you for at least an initial acupuncture consultation and treatment before transfer. Please note that I endeavour to be as flexible as possible about appointments times to fit around your transfer, including weekends and Bank Holidays if necessary however, as you will understand, I cannot guarantee my availability where I have pre-existing commitments.
HOW CAN ACUPUNCTURE HELP PREGNANCY?
Acupuncture may help with:-
Morning sickness and improving the digestion
Relievinh excessive tiredness and smoothing out mood swings
Pain relief when taking painkillers is not advisable e.g. for headaches, leg discomfort etc.
Encouraging optimal position of the baby (i.e. to turn breech babies)
Inducing labour (with the permission of your midwife and consultant)
AFTER THE BIRTH
Acupuncture may help with:-
The number of treatments required depends on each person, the symptoms or conditions suffered and any medication taken. Please be aware that it takes at least 3 cycles/months to see an improvement in egg or sperm quality, hormone balance and overall improvement to the uterine lining.
MALE FERTILITY ISSUES
Over the last 10 years there have been studies and clinical trials researching whether acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help improve sperm count, motility and morphology. It has been found that acupuncture may be effective in improving all these markers and that Chinese herbal medicine may help protect sperm from Anti-Sperm Antibodies (ASAB) and may also improve their "performance" in Assisted Fertility Treatments.
