When planning for a big event in one’s life, (such as a wedding), most people put a lot of care and attention into the preparation to help ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible. Becoming pregnant and having a child is one of the biggest events in one’s life—it’s important to put that same level of care and focus into planning. Of course, things don’t always go as expected; however, why not prepare as best you can?
The health of the biological parents impacts the likelihood of conception, and, if pregnancy does take place, the woman’s health affects the growing foetus, her experience of pregnancy, the birthing process, postpartum, and ultimately the child’s wellbeing.
We often work with women and men to address health conditions that affect fertility. Ideally, couples start preconception care about three months prior to trying to conceive. If there are medical conditions, especially of the reproductive system such as PCOS, endometriosis, amenorrhea (no periods), heavy or painful periods, fibroids, and erectile dysfunction, this increases to around six months.
In saying that, many of our clients come to us for preconception care after they have started trying to conceive, and this is fine as well! Especially since it is not always advisable to hold on trying to become pregnant, especially in women over the age of 35. We may encourage you to try to conceive while we are concurrently looking at other areas of health. Please be assured that if you only start taking the support of acupuncture, nutrition, or herbal medicine years after you have been trying to conceive, it can still affect a change in the body.
Acupuncture can support natural fertility by increasing blood flow to the ovaries and uterus and by supporting the endometrial lining. For men, improved blood flow reaches the testes for sperm health. Acupuncture has also been shown to calm the nervous system via the parasympathetic nervous system.
Your diet and nutritional status create the foundation for the thousands of cells and various organs in your body—including the egg and sperm cells, the endometrial lining, and the cervical mucus—all key players when trying to conceive. In addition, specific nutrients and antioxidants have been shown to help protect the egg and sperm cells against DNA damage, which is especially crucial for women 35 and older.
Your practitioner will discuss your specific treatment protocol with you in detail and answer any questions you have.
23a/255 Drummond St, Carlton VIC 3053
Phone: (03) 9348 2867 or 0405 799 996
Monash IVF, Level 1/510 Church St, Cremorne VIC 3121
Phone: (03) 9348 2867 or 0405 799 996
Monash IVF, 252-256 Clayton Rd, Clayton VIC 3168
Phone: (03) 9348 2867 or 0405 799 996
Saturdays (other days embryo transfers only)
Melbourne Fertility & Endosurgery Centre, 767 Hawthorn Rd, Brighton East VIC 3187
Phone: (03) 9348 2867 or 0405 799 996
Suite 108, 430 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: (03) 9348 2867 or 0405 799 996
1/28 Waterloo Pl, Mornington VIC 3931
Phone: (03) 9348 2867 or 0405 799 996