Acupuncture

Preparation for Parenthood

Acupuncture enhances fertility by balancing hormones, improving egg and sperm quality and supporting relaxation, reducing stress and aiding general well-being.

The acupuncturist will help both partners identify aspects of lifestyle and general health which might be impacting on their chances of conceiving and will show them how to pinpoint the most fertile time of the month.

Preparing for pregnancy with acupuncture is a wonderful way to ensure your future family has the best start in life and that you are both at the peak of your health before embracing your new roles as parents.

Fertility Support

Acupuncture treatment to support couples who have been trying to conceive and need more help looks in detail at the diagnosed or suspected problem and can give a fresh perspective to difficult issues.

Treatment aims to treat both partners for the best results and can improve egg and sperm quality, improve ovulation rates, balance hormones, improve sleep, relaxation and reduce stress as well as addressing diet, lifestyle and emotional factors which might be influencing fertility.

Acupuncture has been shown to help patients with polycystic ovaries, endometriosis, irregular ovulation, other known causes of infertility or who feel their age or other emotional or physical problems might be affecting their fertility.

IVF Support

In the 4-6 weeks before IVF, OCSI or IUI begins acupuncture treatment prepares women to be in the best possible health by balancing hormones, resolving anxiety, improving sleep, encouraging good blood flow to the womb lining.

Once you begin your assisted cycle we support you by working alongside your medical treatment to compliment its effects and reduce side-effects as well as improving rest, relaxation and reducing stress and anxiety.

Wherever possible we offer treatment on the day of egg transfer and continue to support you if required until your pregnancy is secure.

In a study of 114 women carried out by the American Reproductive Medicine and Fertility Centre in Colorado Springs inOct 2004, half the group recieved acupuncture before and after embryo transfer.

Of the acupuncture group:-

* 51% became pregnant compared to 36% of the control group
* 0.8% miscarried compared to 20% in the control group
* acupuncture also reduced ectoptic pregnancies and increased the live birth rate by 23% compared to the control group.

Enjoying Pregnancy

Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for nausea, sickness and fatigue in the first twelve to fourteen weeks of pregnancy. It also provides supportive and strengthening treatments for women with miscarriage fears or who need emotional support from the earliest stages of pregnancy.
Treatment during pregnancy benefits sleep, reduces anxiety and is often used by pregnant women in the 2nd and 3rd trimester for relief from back pain, heartburn, sciatica, pelvic pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and to help reduce the discomfort of swollen feet and ankles.

Preparing for Birth

If your baby is not in an optimal position and is breech or back-to-back acupuncture treatment can safely turn the baby without any discomfort.

In a study of 505 women 81% of the babies in the group receiving acupuncture had turned compared to 49% in the control group. The best results are achieved before the 36th week a much smaller percentage of babies turn after this date but a positive outcome is more likely if this is not the woman’s first child.

From 36/37 weeks pre-birth acupuncture plays an important role in relaxing the back and pelvis, ripening the cervix ready for birth, improving blood flow, improving sleep and reducing any anxiety surrounding the birth.

Studies have shown that a treatment once a week in the last three weeks of pregnancy reduces the amount of time spent in labour, improves labour outcomes and reduces the need for medical inductions and caesareans.

We also use part of these sessions to teach acupressure techniques to birth partners for pain relief during the early stages of labour and to keep easy and efficient contractions going as labour progresses.

If you have passed your due date and are overdue acupuncture treatment can be used to promote labour and encourage it to begin naturally and safely.

Post-natal Care and Nourishment

Chinese medical theory places a great deal of importance on the complete recovery of a new mother’s strength and vitality following the birth. Treatments are gentle, nourishing and designed to enhance sleep, relaxation and rest.

Treatment can quickly resolve feeding difficulties, anxiety, feelings of not being able to cope and general fatigue and mild depression. Treatment also benefits haemorrhoids and prolapses and can strengthen weak pelvic floor muscles and improve bladder control and libido.