Chinese Medicine: Pre-conception and Fertility

When seeking assistance in fertility, modern medicine often takes centre stage. However, amidst the array of contemporary methods, there’s profound knowledge to be found in ancient practices. Chinese Medicine, with its rich tapestry of herbs and acupuncture, offers a holistic approach to fertility.

Chinese Medicine theory has revered pregnancy as a pivotal moment, where the delicate balance of Jing, Blood, and Qi holds the promise of profound transformation. Pre-conceptual health is foundational, shaping not only the mother’s vitality but also the future well-being of the child.

Central to this philosophy is Jing, akin to genetic factors in Western understanding – the blueprint of our being. Nurturing this vital energy, alongside a healthy lifestyle, lays the groundwork for successful conception and pregnancy.

Chinese Medicine practitioners warn against factors that weaken the uterus, blood, and Qi, such as exposure to cold or indulgence in greasy foods. Stress, a very common condition in modern life too, can disrupt the delicate balance. The mother needs to eat good foods and have a balanced emotional and physical lifestyle to support the foetus’s physical and emotional development.

To align body, mind, and spirit, you can consider these Chinese Medicine suggestions:

  1. Digestive Wellness: Prioritise organic, whole foods to support optimal digestion, a cornerstone of fertility. For example, everyone should have a bowel movement at least once a day that is well formed, free from bloating, constipation or loose stools. Chinese medicine can help get your bowels working well.
  2. Tailored Nutrition: Tailor your nutrient intake to address specific needs. Herbal Medicine is customised in a consultation with a Chinese Medicine practitioner to harmonise body systems to optimise conditions.
  3. Balancing Mental & Emotional Health: The journey to parenthood is not always an easy one. The road can for some be long and heart breaking. Acupuncture can assist with calming the central nervous system during tough times. Tapping into practices like meditation and self-care to navigate uncertainties is also encouraged.

A session with me will address digestive health, including nutrition and absorption, menstrual cycle regulation, stress and mental health. If you have a particular condition which further challenges fertility such as diabetes, PCOS and Endometriosis, this will also be considered in your treatments.

For those undertaking assisted reproduction (ART/IVF/ICSI etc), Acupuncture can be a beneficial supplement and help:

  • increase the blood supply to the uterus and ovaries
  • regulate follicle stimulation hormone-receptor expression
  • reduce stress by normalising cortisol and prolactin level on IVF medication days
  • reduce the side effects and discomfort at any stage of the medicated cycle
  • pre and post implantation acupuncture protocols have shown in clinical trials to increase pregnancy success and live birth rates

I have a keen interest in working with women pre and post-birth. My personal experience drives this interest, and my intimate understanding appreciates the magic and challenges of having a baby.

I offer a range of treatments to meet your needs whether that be Shiatsu, Acupuncture and/or Herbal Medicine. Nothing would please me more than supporting a mother on her journey from fertility to motherhood.