At the plumb Blossom Clinic we are seeing an increasing number of couples who come for Acupuncture and herbs to aid a natural conception. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes both parents should be brought to optimum health before conceiving, and the health of the fetus depends on the mother and father’s health at conception and is contingent on the mother’s physical and mental health during pregnancy.  

For this kind of treatment we would generally divide the menstrual cycle into 4 weeks or 4 stages, and different Acupuncture points will be used for a different effect at each stage:

• Week 1: Follicle growth. Here we will strengthen the kidney energy which governs reproduction and “congenital Qi”, and the spleen energy which controls “acquired Qi” and blood. This in turn will help to promote follicle growth.
  
  
• Week 2: Ovulation. Now we will nourish “yin” and essence to help strengthen maturing follicles and promote the movement of “Qi” and blood to detach the mature egg form the ovary.
  
  
• Week 3: Progesterone growth. Next we will nourish “yin” then warm the “Yang” to promote good blood circulation in the uterus to agitate progesterone.
  
  
• Week 4: Protection of fetus. Finally, with fertilization in mind, we strengthen the spleen and kidneys again, and promote a smooth flow of “Qi” and blood.

Once a woman becomes pregnant we generally let nature take its course. However if there has been a history of bleeding or miscarriage, we can use Acupuncture to help prevent miscarriage.

Male sub fertility may be a factor in 50% - 70% of couples, and the figure is rising.
At the Plumb Blossom Clinic we also like to focus our attention on the male to further boost chances of conception.

There are couples who for various reasons cannot conceive without assisted reproductive techniques (ART). In these cases we aim to balance and prepare your body so your chances of a successful IVF, ICSI, or IUI are significantly increased.

Acupuncture is increasingly being used to assist and improve ART. This is one of the best examples of how Western and Eastern medicine can work side by side.

Where Western medicine concentrates solely on the reproductive organs, Chinese medicine works to strengthen and balance all systems of the body, using a combination of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and herbs.


Female ART preparation procedure

After an initial assessment and diagnosis, we will use Acupuncture and herbs to adjust the regularity and length of the cycle, reduce pain or PMT, and start to nourish the uterus, making the eggs, endometrial and cervical mucus the best quality they can be.

Next, as the ART cycle approaches we nourish the uterus and ovaries to help make good quality follicles.

Then during ART we like to see people as soon as possible before embryo transfer or sperm insemination to invigorate blood flow to make the body more receptive to implantation.

The next stage is to stabilize the hormone level to assist conception.

After conception, if there has been a history of miscarriage we can continue with Acupuncture to promote a stable pregnancy, otherwise we just let nature take its course.

While IVF may disrupt the body’s natural cycle and cause undue stress, receiving Acupuncture in conjunction with ART helps keep the body balanced, increasing the chances of conception.


Male ART preparation procedure

Western medicine offers little to men with reproductive issues. After an assessment and diagnosis we can use Acupuncture and herbs to help improve the morphology, motility and number of sperm.


ART Treatment protocol

For both males and females it is advisable to begin weekly sessions 3 months prior to ART to regulate the menstrual cycle, balance the hormones and optimize egg quality, and to improve the morphology, motility and quantity of the sperm.