IVF Support

IVF AND NATURAL HEALTH CARE:

At this point in time more and more women who have fertility issues are being sent directly to IVF clinics. At a recent audit of our Associate practice in Richmond and Harley street London a conservative estimate of 30% of women were being sent unnecessarily for expensive IVF procedures. Even more interestingly a lot of those women who failed with IVF were able to conceive naturally with good TCM and naturopathic medicine.

IVF SUPPORT

For those women (and men) for whom IVF does provide a necessary route we can support you throughout your entire treatment and beyond. It is well known in IVF circles that Acupuncture (in particular) and Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicines improve the outcome at the very start and even supporting the pregnancy to help prevent miscarriage. So what can we do at the outset:

1. We can improve the function of the ovaries.
2. We can affect the egg covering making it more permeable to sperm.
3. We can regulate your hormones and increase the number of follicles on the ovaries.
4. We can increase the thickness of the endometrium (lining of the womb).
5. We can make the endometrium more receptive to implantation.
6. We can lessen the side effects of the drugs used in IVF without interfering with their effectiveness.
7. We can regulate the immune system.
8. We can improve sperm quality.
9. We can decrease the chance of miscarriage.

Clinical trials with Acupuncture TCM and IVF

There are various Acupuncture and TCM protocols now in situ in support of IVF treatment and these are a result of a number of clinical trials.  A recent German study (Dr. W. E. Paulus, Christian-Lauritzen-Institut in Ulm), found that using Acupuncture alone with IVF achieved a 42% clinical pregnancy rate in a test group compared to 26% in the control group. An eminent TCM practitioner (Dr Lifang Liang) who has worked for many years in this area has found that it can go to 60% with support of both Acupuncture and Chinese Medicinal Herbs.

Acupuncture and TCM protocol for transfer of embryos for IVF

Before transfer: Specialised herbal prescription taken day before and morning of transfer to relax the patient, slightly dilate cervix, and aid in receptivity. Acupuncture evening before or morning of transfer.

After Transfer: Specialised herbal prescription to assist blood circulation to womb, maintain implantation of embryo and nourish embryo growth. Acupuncture should be administered on the day of transfer but if not possible, the following day.

Continued support: We can continue to support you throughout your entire pregnancy to help prevent miscarriage and protect your health, even aiding and easing delivery.