What is infertility
Infertility is where the reproductive system is not working at optimum levels and is defined as not be able to conceive after twelve months of trying.
It is more common than we assume too. There are a million recorded cases of infertility each year. Some are first time attempts to conceive and have been unable to (primary infertility), and some are where a person has been pregnant before but is struggling to conceive again.
Causes of infertility
There are several reasons why people are finding it difficult to conceive and I think it’s a good idea to break them down here.
In women, the causes can be:
- Abnormalities in the uterus
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Ovulation irregularities
- Conditions such as Polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis
- Overexposure to certain chemicals
- Some medication
In men, the causes can be:
- Low sperm count
- Overexposure to certain chemicals
- Medication
- Smoking
- Sexual issues such as premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction
Having exhausted all these possibilities, sometimes the cause is frustratingly unexplained. If you are still trying for a baby, you may start to think about IVF (in vitro fertilization).
How IVF works
IVF is a medical procedure that takes sperm and eggs and fertilizes them in a laboratory. For men, your sperm is collected and the healthiest and most active are selected. For women, the process is a little more complicated. You will be given medication to suppress your periods so medication to boost your egg supply can be more effective. You will be given regular injections of hormones to support this process. Your eggs are then collected and fertilized before being transferred to your womb.
Support advice from your consultant
Typical advice for self-care during IVF is rest, gentle exercise and a balanced diet as free from chemicals as possible. Diet also affects sperm health, so it’s important for men too. Supplements might also be recommended.
How can acupuncture support your IVF program?
Acupuncture can form an important part of your fertility treatment. It has become very common for many people alongside IVF. Treatment at my clinic will ensure your body is in the best possible condition for good fertility health.
Acupuncture helps by encouraging good blood flow to your reproductive organs and helps you to relax as you go through the IVF treatments. As well as acupuncture, we offer advice on relaxation techniques and yoga exercise to help you to feel more relaxed during your IVF cycle.
Research has shown that acupuncture before and after embryo transfer significantly improves pregnancy success, with a success rate improvement of 65%. We would recommend that you start your acupuncture treatment a few months before your IVF cycle to work on any minor health issues that can help to support a successful and healthy pregnancy.
Acupuncture on Embryo Transfer Day – Nicky’s story
I was approaching 39 and my GP referred me to a consultant to check things out who found nothing wrong. It was suggested that, due to my age, the best possible chance of getting pregnant was IVF treatment.
Then came the best news of all: my positive test result, followed by an early scan to confirm the heartbeat. I couldn’t wait to tell Jane and she knew before any of my close friends and family!
Acupuncture to support IVF – Lizzie’s story
My husband and I knew we needed IVF to conceive again. We had been through the works in the US when trying for our firstborn and we knew the reality of our situation.
Acupuncture paved the way for my body and mind to accept what was necessary with IVF and feel like I was doing something very positive in the light of so much of the unknown. And it worked!
When it came time to try for number 2, I was adamant about including acupuncture as a main ingredient for our success.
We had acupuncture before and after the procedure.
We found out we were pregnant after one cycle of IVF and treatment with Acupuncture. And then we found out it was twins!
The babies are due in 2 weeks and we couldn’t be more thrilled. We truly believe our success – our double success – is due to to acupuncture helping my body prepare for IVF, the result of modern medicine and traditional medicine working successfully side by side.
If you would like to explore the possibility of receiving support from our clinic as you go through your IVF treatment, then please do get in touch by calling for an initial consultation, to arrange how the clinic can help. 212-685-0985
www.berkleycenter.com