Some information about Acupuncture and Assisted Conception

Traditional Chinese Acupuncture

Natural Health For Fertility

Acupuncture Support During IVF/ICSI/IUI

Acupuncture may help:

Improve ovarian function

Regulate hormones

Increase blood flow to the uterus and increase thickness of the uterine lining

Relax and decrease stress

Lessen the side effects of drugs used

Strengthen the immune system

Improve semen quality

Help support pregnancy

Acupuncture is available with Francesca Howell who is a qualified, experienced acupuncturist and full member of the British Acupuncture Council.

Prices:

First visit £45 (up to 90 mins) Return visit £40 ( up to 60 mins)

Treatment Packages & Special Offers:

Booking in advance: £105 (3 sessions)

Initial Treatment

This is a preparation period and can start up to 3 months before treatment. We will discuss lifestyle, nutrition, and your wellbeing as well as focusing on any specific issues such as high FSH levels, low AMH, painful or irregular periods. Acupuncture can be helpful for both men and women. This period can really help prepare for and support the body during any fertility treatment

During IVF/ICSI/IUI

During the periods of ‘down regulating’ and ‘Stimulation’ Acupuncture can help with any effects of the drugs used. We aim treatment at supporting the body, regulating hormones, decreasing stress and increasing blood flow. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) advocates using acupuncture at this point in the IVF treatment to support the 'Qi' (energy) of the body in order to optimize the follicle growth and/or endometrial thickness as well as relax the patient so that the egg collection is as easy as possible.

Acupuncture can be helpful at different stages of treatment some examples of which are below, you can choose which might be of benefit to you.

Post Egg Collection

This treatment will take place just after egg collection. This treatment aims to aid post-operative recuperation and reduce internal swelling and abdominal bloating. TCM theory states that at this point the Qi of the body is devoted to repairing itself. We aim to aid this healing process in order that there is more Qi available to implant the embryo when the time comes.

Pre Embryo Transfer

This treatment is aimed at helping to dilate the cervical opening in order to more easily transfer the embryo into the uterus, It is also calming and relaxing preparation ahead of the procedure.

Post Embryo Transfer

This treatment occurs after transfer of the embryo back into the uterus. This session is designed primarily to relax the patient and from a TCM point of view, encourage the embryo to secure itself inside the body by using acupuncture points which ensure that the Qi of the body flows in an upward direction.

Implantation Treatment

This treatment is done 4 - 7 days after transfer, around the time that an embryo would naturally implant in the uterus. Our treatment encourages blood flow in uterus to be as thick as possible, and enhances the energy of the body which, when strong, supports implantation and subsequent pregnancy. It is also used to relax and support the patient emotionally.

Pregnancy

Additional acupuncture treatments to support pregnancy and tackle symptoms such as morning sickness, fatigue or anxiety are also available

We were talking about these acupuncture points in our talk this week. They are points you can easily massage. They are on the Kidney Channel. They access the deep reserves of our Kidney energy and are good for adrenal fatigue, anxiety, worry or feeling depleted both physically and mentally. They can be spiritually both nourishing and uplifting. They also help open the chest and improve the Lung energy, so are helpful for any type of breathing difficulty.

Wall Photos

Ok, let's see if this works. This is my first blog. I am currently working on my website, which has been sadly neglected for the past year as I have been finishing my Post Graduate Counselling Diploma and that has pretty much taken up all of my time for a while. So revisiting my website is a strange thing. It feels a bit cobwebby and like there is a lot of spring cleaning and updating to do. I am newly qualified as a counsellor and somehow I need to incorporate that into the site. Also my work as an acupuncturist has changed since I was last here. And some of my headings need adjusting. I now work in Napiers off Byres Road, so I have added my contact details there to my bookings page. I am there very much as part of the Natural Fertility Centre which is very exciting. I am still at Woodland Herbs, although have changed my hours around a bit. My work there with Anna Hill has become an important part of what I do there and we are working on various projects such as the Natural Pregnancy in Glasgow website and also on Naturally for Women which is our own thing and is really a heading for working together which has evolved very organically and continues to be very rewarding. And I am growing my practice on the Southside of Glasgow. So, all contact details and prices are now up to date and I have added a combined back massage and acupuncture treatment to the list as this is something that I already do with some clients. That feel enough for now. I'm going to press 'publish post' and see what happens ........