Infertility & IVF
Infertility | IVF & Other Reproductive Medicine Support | Women's Reproductive Health & Infertility | Men's Reproductive Health & Infertility
Infertility
Current statistics indicate that one is six couples are infertile. Infertility is diagnosed when a couple have been trying unsuccessfully to conceive for six to twelve months. The most common treatment options include medically assisted procedures such as IVF (in-vitro fertilisation) and Intra-cytoplasmic sperm insertion (ICSI). However, there are some steps couples might consider before trying more invasive methods of conception.
If you are just starting out, natural medicine approaches can improve your fertility and your chance of conceiving. Our Practitioners are experienced in treating infertility due to a range of causes, including medically diagnosed and unexplained infertility. Our approaches are safe, non-invasive, and result in generally improved health and well being for you overall.
We often recommend a period of preconception care during which we treat specific fertility issues as well as address any underlying health issues that may be part of the problem. Preconception care is undertaken for a minimum period of 4 months and focuses on the health status of each prospective parent during the generation and maturation of the gamete cells that go on to form a baby (sperm in men and ova or eggs in women). The healthier you are, the healthier these maturing cells will also be.
During this time we look at improving your overall health while also treating the specific factors that are affecting your fertility. For many of our patients, this is all that is required for them to achieve a healthy pregnancy. Others may need to seek other reproductive medicine in order to achieve their goals, and we support them on this journey to help maintain good health, manage stress and increase the chance of a successful outcome.
IVF & Other Reproductive Medicine Support
At Fertile Ground Health Group, our Practitioners are experienced in working with couples undergoing IVF and other assisted reproduction methods. They have a thorough knowledge of the IVF process and the physical and emotional experiences you may have during this time. Importantly, because they are supporting couples through assisted reproductive approaches on a daily basis, they are also highly attuned and sympathetic to the emotional stresses you may experience.
During your IVF treatment we may help you in one or more of the following ways:
- Naturopathic support includes pre-conception care, physical, mental and emotional health support during treatment, and miscarriage prevention measures. A recent study in the U.K. showed that IVF success rates more than doubled when preceded by a period of preconception health care. DVD's outlining this study and its findings are available for loan from the clinic.
- Recent studies in Germany and China have shown Acupuncture support to be especially successful in enhancing IVF outcomes. (See News and Research page) Proven protocols include preconception care, egg collection and transfer preparation and miscarriage prevention.
- Stress management and nervous/adrenal system support will enable your body and mind to cope more effectively with ongoing treatment.
- Appropriate physical treatment and adjustments restore balance, reduce stress, assist physical imbalance and enhance circulation and blood supply to affected areas.
- Ongoing Counselling support is valuable at this time to help with stress and emotional issues that may arise or to help you and your partner to cope with any challenges or disappointments which may be affecting you or your relationship.
We work closely with your other medical and health professionals to ensure efficacy and safety of treatment. With your consent, we advise in writing of all treatment undertaken with us for your medical records.
Women's Reproductive Health & Infertility
Fertile Ground Health Group Practitioners are experienced in helping women to improve their fertility using natural medicine approaches. Our Practitioners have undertaken further specialist post graduate training in Natural Fertility Management and Preconception Care, and treat a range of diagnosed health conditions as well as unexplained infertility.
Many women's fertility problems can be improved naturally, including
- menstrual problems (including painful, irregular, absent, light or heavy periods)
- PMS
- early menopause
- other hormonal imbalances
- ovarian cysts
- endometriosis
- fibroids
- Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- weight loss
- thyroid problems
- miscarriage prevention
Understanding Fertility
Our bodies give us clear and unmistakable signs to indicate the fertile and infertile phases of our cycle. Our Practitioners can assist you to predict ovulation and time conception accurately by helping you understand mucus changes, temperature charts, the rhythm of your cycle and other signs. Learning to recognise natural signs of fertility is empowering for every woman and provides an effective method to avoid or achieve conception, which can be successfully used through all stages of life.
There are many benefits to understanding what is normal in your cycle and knowing how your body works. Charting the signs gives you and your practitioner a tool to see clearly how your treatment is working for you.
Men's Reproductive Health & Infertility
As for women, a man's health is never so important as when you are planning to start a family. Fertility and pregnancy are often mistakenly seen as 'women's problems'. However, the data available over the past 20 years reveals that a couple's infertility is due to:
30% male fertility problems
30% female fertility problems
20% mutual problems
20% unexplained infertility
Therefore, the male factor is at least partly responsible in about 50% of infertile couples.
Your sperm constitutes 50% of the DNA and cellular material that constructs your baby's very being. The healthier you are, the healthier your sperm, the more likely you are to conceive a healthy baby and the better your partner's chances for a healthy pregnancy. It makes sense to be as healthy as possible before your partner conceives, doesn't it? The better quality the materials to start with, the better the final product will be.
Preconception care will help you to achieve optimum health - on every level. You reap the benefits in more energy, better sleep, less stress and grumpiness, experiencing fewer health problems and enjoying greater longevity to watch your kids grow up!
Our Practitioners are experienced in treating a range of health issues specific to men and can help you address infertility issues including:
- Male infertility
- Sperm count, motility, morphology issues
- Impotence/erectile dysfunction
- Premature ejaculation
- Prostrate conditions
- Low libido
- Hormone dysfunction
- Genito-urinary infections and STDs
The effects on your fertility of:
- Anxiety and depression
- General fatigue
- Stress
- Other disorders affecting fertility including diabetes and cardiovascular problems.
We also attend to factors such as diet, exercise, stress management, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, exposure to environmental toxins and EMR, the use of prescription and non prescription drugs known to affect sperm.
As it takes approximately 3-4 months for sperm to mature, whatever lifestyle and diet changes you make or herbal and nutritional supplements you take will only be reflected in the quality of your sperm after a minimum of 4 months.
Herbal remedies and Acupuncture are extremely effective in resolving many male fertility problems, especially when combined with nutritional supplementation, exercise, detoxification, and stress management.
Recommended Reading
Making Babies - Personal IVF Stories by Theresa Miller
For a full book review, follow this LINK.