In our view, preparing properly for
IVF or other assisted fertility treatments is even more important and potentially beneficial than if you are trying for a baby naturally.
Embarking on
IVF can be very demanding and stressful, but if you are supported it's our belief you can get through anything. Our experience has shown that the right physical, nutritional, and emotional support, before and during the treatment, can help to off-set these stresses and strains and enhance your overall well-being. We can keep you positive and in the right mind-set too. All of which can help improve your chances of success.
Your First Step?
We usually recommend that clients who are new to the clinic and who are about to undergo
IVF, start with an "IVF Support Consultation" with one of our consultant midwives or our fertility nurse. Depending on what has already been done elsewhere, and how advanced your planning is, the session can be used to talk you through the whole
IVF process, as well as to recommend a personalised plan of the things that can be done for you and your partner to help improve your chances of conceiving successfully.
Ideally, we like to see you at least three months before your
IVF cycle is due to begin. However, there are still plenty of useful things we can do to help if the interval is shorter.
Just Want to Book a Specific Treatment?
For those of you who are already well informed about what can help, you may prefer to skip the introductory "IVF Support Consultation" and book yourselves straight into one or more of the individual consultations, treatments or therapies that most interest you. A list of the support available at the clinic and the particular help it can provide, for men as well as women, can be found in the menu on the left hand side of this page.
Acupuncture and IVF
Acupuncture, for example, may be especially valuable. In our experience, having treatment in the months and weeks preceding an
IVF cycle - either individually, or for both partners - can substantially improve the likelihood of a successful pregnancy. As can treatment immediately prior to and after embryo transfer.
Improving Implanation:
Research suggests that electro-acupuncture may be particularly useful for the female partner prior to starting a cycle. In a study conducted by the Dept of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the University of Gothenburg, electro-acupuncture helped to increase blood flow to the uterus, creating a thicker and more regular uterine lining, improving the likelihood of the embryo implanting successfully. As women age, the blood flow to the uterus can be just a fifth of what it might have been at their reproductive peak.
Reducing
Stress:
Research suggests that
acupuncture may be especially good at reducing
stress and
anxiety too, due to its ability to stimulate the release of endorphins.
Stress (mental, emotional and physical) seems to be a major under-diagnosed contributing factor in sub-fertility, for both partners.
Balancing Hormones:
If your hormones levels are out of balance (which is often the case)
acupuncture can also be used to try to return them to equilbrium, as well as to help bring FSH down and to help improve egg quality by nourishing the ovaries. Plus it can be used to help alleviate any adverse symptoms you might experience as a side-effect of any drugs you may be required to take.
Optimal Number of Treatments?
A planned programme of treatments prior to a cycle starting is likely to have the maximum benefit, but even having a few may be helpful. A US study, designed to determine the optimal number of
acupuncture treatments, suggested that women who have eight treatments prior to the start of their cycle had the best chance of getting and staying pregnant
(Diane Cridennda & Paul Magarelli).
Pre and Post Embryo Transfer:
Acupuncture pre and post embryo transfer may also help improve the chances of success. A German study, conducted in 2002 at the Dept of Reproductive Medicine of the Christian-Lauritzen-Institut in Ulm, showed a significant increase in pregnancy rates amongst women who had
acupuncture pre and post embryo transfer, compared to those that didn't.
Acupuncture and "The Womb Room"
Women who are about to commence an
IVF cycle might like to know that we now offer a same-day booking service in our wonderful new "Womb Room" (now available on Sundays too), where you can get the benefit of
acupuncture in a calm and positive setting immediately before and after your embryo transfer. It's also the perfect place for you to relax after the transfer.
The most recent audit of our own success rates has shown that having acupuncture at our clinic pre and post embryo transfer resulted in a mean pregnancy rate per IVF cycle of almost 60%.
NOW AVAILABLE - Take advantage of our great new "5 for 4" offer for women having IVF, and save 20% on the price of 5 valuable acupuncture sessions with one of our specialists. Call us on 020.7224.0017 to make your booking.
Nutritional Therapy and IVF
Diet and
nutrition has a critical influence on the workings of the male and female reproductive systems too, and a pro-active approach to both these factors is a central part of our approach to helping improve the chances of
IVF success. Unless you have already received specific dietary and nutritional advice elsewhere, we will nearly always recommend that both partners see one of our specialist nutritional therapists for an individual consultation, as part of any programme of support.
Those of you who are travelling to the Clinic from outside London might like to consider booking these sessions to follow-on from your "IVF Support Consultation" to save having to make an additional journey. One of our receptionists will arrange this for you if you mention it when you call.
Want to Book an "IVF Support Consultation" or an Individual Treatment or Class?
Whatever stage you are at in planning for your
IVF, do give us a call. One of our receptionists will be delighted to advise you on what would be best for your individual situation. Please click on "How to Contact Us" from the menu bar on the left hand side of this page for details of how to contact us, or just click on "Contact Us", immediately below.
Our fee schedule can be found towards the bottom of the same menu.
LIVE FAR FROM LONDON?
If you live a long way from London, you might like to know that we can now offer all our fertility problem-solving, preconception planning and IVF support consultations, plus our wonderful nutritional healthchecks, on the telephone too. Click here for brief details. 
