Acupuncture and FertilityEvery year in Great Britain, 27,000 couples receive infertility treatment, 1 in 6 results in a successful pregnancy. The pain that infertility causes is immense and when a couple does not have children it is not necessarily the result of a "lifestyle choice". It is difficult not to become obsessive about having a child, but acupuncture can help with managing the every day feelings of anxiety, frustration and sadness which come with the effort of trying to get pregnant.
Infertility affects both women and men. Couples can experience a variety of difficulties, they may have battled with miscarriage or be having difficulty wtih assisted conception.
Female infertility can arise from various reproductive issues, or might be unexplained.
Acupuncture stimulates the body's own healing systems and helps to restore natural rhythms. Lifestyle and nutrition will also play a part, as well as emotional wellbeing (individually and as a couple), which is often overlooked.
Acupuncture can be used on its own to assist fertilty or can be used to support fertility treatment, such as IVF and IUI. A research study published in the British Medical Journal (February 2008) concluded that "Acupuncture given with embryo transfer improves rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation".
Male infertility accounts for 40% of infertility cases. A normal sperm count today is half the quantity and quality that it was 20 years ago. Healthy sperm production is affected by hormones, fevers and infections, prescribed drugs and lifestyle.
Acupuncture can support a man in much the same way as a female can be treated, helping him reach his potential for fatherhood.
The research is still in very early stages, but whatever the statistics suggest, it is my experience that acupuncture does offer at the very least an aid to provide a calming effect upon the patient. Trying to get pregnant is an extremely sensitive and emotional time for both partners, there are highs and lows on a monthly basis, acupuncture can help them to relax and to counter the tension of the whole situation.
Acupuncture and PregnancyAcupuncture treatment during pregnancy, birth and post-natally can benefit both mother and baby.
As a complementary therapy acupuncture can also address those unpleasant symptoms during pregnancy which can not always be treated by western medicine. These include morning sickness, back and pelvic pain, digestive disorders and headaches as well as general tiredness.
Treatment during pregnancy can enhance the health of a mother-to-be in the preparation for labour, childbirth and motherhood. In the case of breech babies, moxibustion can be effective in turning a baby, the optimum time being between 32 and 35 weeks.
If your baby is overdue acupuncture can be tried as an alternative to medical intervention, once you have gone past your due date and providing that your main healthcare professional supports this approach.
Acupressure during labour can help you to have a more efficient labour and is often used by mid-wives during the labour. This can be extended to offering lessons to a couple prior to labour, so that a birthing partner can assist you (and feel more useful!) during labour and the birth. This is not intended as a replacement for medical pain relief or intervention if required (not all labours go to plan after-all), but is a very useful additional choice for a mother-to-be in labour.
Life after childbirth is very different and can be challenging both emotionally and physically. Post-natally, acupuncture can provide general support in recovery from childbirth as well as treat issues such as exhaustion, mastitis, back pain, haemorrhoids and post-natal depression.
