How to Help Enhance Your Fertility, Improve Your Pregnancy and Give the Best of Starts to Your Baby.

The IVF protocol

A guide to using acupressure in labour

There are a number of things to consider when trying to conceive. It helps to take a good look at the way you live, and to work towards being as fit and healthy as possible. Ideally, to maximise your chances of producing a healthy baby you should both start to prepare at least three months before you conceive. Specifically, we will look at five main areas: your general health and fitness, your nutritional health, your reproductive health, your emotional and psychological health and, finally, the way you manage stress.

Good general health and fitness will help to ensure that a man’s sperm are in optimum condition and that a woman’s body is well prepared to cope with the demands of pregnancy. There is increasing evidence that good nutrition plays an important part in optimising conception and ensuring a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby.
Some lifestyle factors can adversely affect fertility for both men and women. Any changes to diet or lifestyle take about 3 months to have an effect - the time taken for sperm production and egg recruitment and maturation. Good nutrition for both partners must be a priority as it impacts on every aspect of your health and well-being.

The information in this article can help improve not only your reproductive health, but also your general health.     I usually suggest to clients that they don’t look upon the advice contained here as something to be done just until they have achieved pregnancy.  Rather, the advice is a blueprint for a long and healthy life.  

Conception – where a new life begins.

For conception to take place you require a healthy egg, healthy sperm, intercourse at the fertile time in the woman’s cycle and for an egg to be fertilised.

Conception occurs when the fertilised egg has embedded in the uterus.  But what happens before then?  Sperm can live for between 3 and 7 days whereas an egg is only capable of being fertilised for 8 to 12 hours.    Timing of sex is crucial to your chances of getting pregnant.  After ejaculation, the sperm begin the equivalent of a swimming marathon taking thousands of tail movements to move just 1 centimetre forward. 

They are helped in their swim if sex has been timed to coincide with the woman’s fertile secretions and they will take up to 2 hours to reach the egg in the fallopian tube.   Sperm may rest at intervals and some may wait at the neck of the womb waiting for the egg to be released.  At any one time there may be hundreds of sperm swimming round the egg, trying to “drill” their way in. Once a sperm has penetrated the egg, chemical changes mean that no other sperm can get in.  The successful sperm sheds it’s protective head and the male and female cells merge.   

From this point the fertilised egg continues on it’s way down the fallopian tube to embed in the uterus and so a new life begins.

The Role of Reproductive Hormones

For women there are 4 major hormones which control the phases of the menstrual cycle.  These are Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinising Hormone (LH), Oestrogen and Progesterone. 

There are 3 phases in the cycle beginning with the Follicular phase which starts on day 1 of your period.   The pituitary gland releases FSH and LH which stimulate the growth of about 15 to 20 eggs in the ovaries, each one contained within it’s own follicle.   FSH and LH also trigger an increase in oestrogen production.  As oestrogen levels rise it turns off the production of FSH, stopping any more follicles being stimulated.  

One follicle will become dominant and continue to mature, as it produces oestrogen, so the remaining follicles stop growing and die.

The ovulatory phase of the cycle begins when oestrogen levels rise causing a surge in the amount of LH produced by the pituitary gland.   LH triggers the release of the egg by the follicle which is then caught by and transported down the fallopian tube.

As the egg travels down the fallopian tube it produces an enzyme that helps to attract and guide sperm toward it.

In the luteal phase, the empty follicle develops into the corpus luteum and secretes progesterone to prepare the womb for a fertilised egg to implant.   If the egg has been fertilised it will travel down the fallopian tube and embed in the lining of the womb.  If the egg has not been fertilised, it passes through the womb and the next period begins.
You may have had your FSH levels checked already.  High FSH levels (above 12) indicate that the ovaries are struggling and not responding to FSH.

The primary hormones for a man are LH, FSH and testosterone.  FSH is needed to stimulate sperm production and a high FSH level can indicate that a man is struggling to make sperm.  LH stimulates the production of testosterone, which in turn is responsible for male sexual development and arousal.

Understanding the menstrual cycle and fertile time 

In each menstrual cycle there is a “window of opportunity” which lasts about 7 days.
It seems that Nature plays a game with us, in that ovulation occurs 14 days before the start of your next period.  Which is fine if your cycle is always regular, but can be tricky if you have irregular cycles.  

Looking at an average 28 day cycle your window of opportunity looks something like this:-

(The chart above assumes that an egg has not been fertilised and that progesterone levels are dropping toward the end of the cycle.)   You can see that under the influence of LH and FSH a follicle begins to ripen an egg. As the follicle produces more oestrogen, it causes FSH levels to drop and a surge in LH.  The follicle ruptures and ovulation occurs.    The ruptured follicle then produces progesterone until a fertilised egg has embedded in the uterus.

Begin to monitor the length of your cycle, so that you can determine when you are most likely to ovulate.  If your cycle is 28 days, then you will ovulate on day 14 counting from the first day of your period.  If your cycle is 26 days you will ovulate on day 12 and if it is 32 days you will ovulate on day 18.  You can see that the old idea of ovulating “mid-cycle” doesn’t work for everyone!

You need to bear in mind that if you wait till you ovulate to have sex, then by the time the sperm complete their marathon swim, it may already be too late.   In order to maximise your chances of getting pregnant, you need to have sex on alternate days in the lead up to ovulation. 

The importance of regular sex

It’s very easy when you are desperate to get pregnant to focus all your attention on having sex “at the right time.”   It’s important to remember that you want a baby because you are in a supportive, loving relationship and that enjoying sex is part of that relationship.

Having sex regularly throughout your cycle helps to keep stress under control, and makes sure that in your fertile time you have sperm which are fresh and vigourous. 

Remember that men make sperm 24/7 at the rate of approximately 50,000 a minute, so although each ejaculate contains up to 300 million sperm there are plenty more being made!  If a man does not ejaculate for 4 to 5 days or longer, the sperm get caught in a “backlog” and their quality deteriorates.  It can then take 2 ejaculations to “clear the tubes”. 

Healthy vigorous sperm swim at a speed of 2 to 3mm per minute and usually reach the fallopian tube within 2 hours.   Seminal fluid contains nutrients which  can help sperm stay alive for up to 7 days waiting for the egg to be released.    Having sex on alternate days during your “window of opportunity” will maximise your chances of getting pregnant.   The more sperm there are available, the more likely you are to catch the egg whilst it is capable of being fertilised.

Frequent sex does not weaken sperm. The chances of conception per cycle increase from around 15% for couples having sex once a week to around 50% for couples having sex every day, (lower % for older couples). Sperm quality deteriorates if they are retained in a man’s tubes for more than about 3 days, so frequent ejaculation through the cycle ensures that there are fresh healthy sperm available at the fertile time.

Enjoying sex and achieving orgasm can help conception. This may be due to the effect of the contractions during orgasm helping to ‘suck up’ the sperm. Many women find it easier to relax and have an orgasm when they are less stressed, such as on holiday. So if possible try to keep sex spontaneous, varied, passionate and fun.

Stay flat after intercourse: When the seminal fluid is ejaculated it is a viscous consistency. This sticks to the woman’s cervix, but then within a few moments, it liquefies releasing the sperm. The strong healthy sperm start to swim rapidly through the fertile secretions in the woman’s cervix. The rest of the seminal fluid and the weaker and dying sperm will leak back out of the vagina about 10-15 minutes after intercourse. There is no evidence that pillows under buttocks or any other gymnastic feats will help, but it makes sense to stay flat for about 15 minutes. Avoid leaping straight out of bed, wiping or washing immediately.

Recognising your fertility signals

There is one very straightforward way to recognise when you are entering your fertile window of opportunity.  The mucus secreting glands which line your cervix produce mucus continuously and they are part of the self-cleansing mechanism of the vagina.   During the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle the mucus is thick and sticky forming a plug over the cervix which prevents sperm from entering.  It also makes the vagina more acid which kills off sperm.  

When this sticky plug comes away it indicates that the fertile time is starting.  Cervical secretions increase by a factor of 10.  At first they feel moist or sticky and look white or cloudy.  As they become clearer, wetter, slippery and stretchy you are in your most fertile time.  After ovulation the secretions revert to sticky, then dry.

The fertile secretions turn the vaginal fluids alkaline and provide nourishment for sperm in the form of sugar, amino acids, salt and water enabling them to live for up to 7 days.   Fertile mucus also contains “swimming lanes” through which sperm can travel easily.   

To identify fertile mucus, use white toilet paper to blot your vaginal mucus after passing urine.    If it feels slippery like raw egg white and can stretch it is fertile mucus.  If it is dry, thick, sticky, crumbly, opaque, white or yellow in colour is is the more acid, infertile mucus. 

There are many factors that can have an impact on your production of cervical mucus:

• Anti-histamine or diuretic medication  (because they are drying up secretions generally)
• The ferility drug Clomid
• Tranquillisers
• Anti-biotics
• Expectorants in cough medicines
• Vitamin C in excess of 1000mg a day as it has an anti-histamine effect and can make cervical secretions more acidic
• Use of tampons and panty liners
• G string pants
• Vaginal or sexually transmitted infections
• Vaginal douching
• Being overweight
• Breastfeeding (high prolactin levels can suppress oestrogen secretion)
• Decreased ovarian function

 

The day after having sex you may notice some white or clear discharge which is liquefied semen, but can easily be confused with cervical mucus, as can vaginal secretions produced when you are sexually aroused.  If you’re not sure if you have fertile secretions, put some in a glass of water -  they will stay in a blob if they are cervical secretions, otherwise they will dissolve.

Doing pelvic floor exercises can help you detect changes in your mucus.  Tighten the pelvic floor muscles, hold for a few seconds and then relax.  In the most fertile time you will notice a slippery feel between your legs as you do this exercise.  If you’re not sure which are your pelvic floor muscles, imagine that you need to go to the toilet urgently for a wee, but there is no toilet facility available.  It’s the muscles you use to hold your wee that are your pelvic floor muscles.   Make a habit of exercising these muscles every day as they can be challenged during childbirth, sneezing, coughing or jumping up and down.  Toned pelvic floor muscles can also intensify sexual pleasure.

Whilst we are talking about cervical secretions, it’s worth mentioning that most proprietary vaginal lubricants are hostile to sperm.    Saliva (yours or his) contains digestive enzymes and can kill off sperm.  Tap water, baby oil, mineral oil or egg white can also damage sperm.  If you need to use some lubrication, try Pre-Seed, which is designed for use by couples trying to conceive.  You can get more information at www.preseed.co.uk.

To maximise your production of cervical mucus, make sure that you drink plenty of water, at least 1½ litres a day, and that you have at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables daily.   Avoid acid foods such as sugar, caffeine and cola drinks. Evening Primrose Oil can be taken from day 1 of your period up to ovulation to help with the production of cervical mucus.  You can take 1500 to 3000mg daily, provided that you have not been diagnosed with high oestrogen levels.

Don’t worry if you can’t detect your cervical secretions, monitor  the length of your cycle, get a clear idea of your window of opportunity and aim to have sex every other day at that time.

Temperature Charts can be useful to help monitor when ovulation is occurring and that your progesterone levels are rising in the luteal phase of your cycle.   You should take your temperature at the same time every morning before you get out of bed.

Your temperature is lowest around 3 to 4am and rises .1 degree every hour after that.    Having a late meal, alcohol, illness, stress, anxiety, fever, shift working, paracetamol,  aspirin, getting up in the night can all affect the temperature reading.  You must be in bed at least 3 hours before you take your temperature to get accurate readings.

Temperature rises between 0.5 and 1 degree after ovulation and there is often a slight dip just before ovulation.  The rise in temperature is due to the influence of progesterone which is trying to make the womb warm and receptive to a fertilised egg. 

I suggest that monitoring your temperature be done in conjunction with monitoring cervical mucus.  Once you have charted for a couple of months, you should have a good idea of when your fertile window occurs.    Then put the charts away, keep a mental note of when your next fertile window will be and get on with enjoying life!

Ovulation kits only identify a short time from the surge in LH to ovulation.    Waiting till you get the “go ahead” from an ovulation kit can mean that you have let most of your fertile window pass by and so missed an opportunity. 

Remember that the egg is only available to be fertilised for a matter of hours, and that you need to get sperm “in situ” well ahead of time!

Don’t even consider saliva testing devices – a study published in the Lancet found that 8/10 post menopausal women and 10/10 men tested positive for ovulation!

One old fashioned method (pre-ovulation test kits) was to use litmus paper to test the acidity/alkalinity of the vagina.   It should change to being more alkaline as the cervical secretions increase.   Again, it can be a way to help identify the fertile window, but don’t get hooked on using it.

Your GP can do blood tests to check that you are ovulating. These are usually done mid-way through the second half of your cycle (around day 21). Another test is usually done to check your follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level and other hormones and blood levels on days 1-3 of your cycle. The timing of these tests is crucial. Women with irregular cycles may have problems timing the tests accurately. We will be able to discuss appropriate timing of your tests for your cycle.

Acupuncture can help to boost natural fertility by balancing hormones, improving blood flow to the reproductive organs and boosting egg growth and the thickness of the womb lining. It can also help to improve the quality of sperm. It’s really good for reducing stress too. 

Creating healthy eggs and sperm

It takes 150 days to grow an egg and 100 days to produce sperm.  Within that time you have a golden opportunity to improve the health of your eggs and sperm and so increase both the chances of conceiving, and going on to have a healthy baby.

A healthy diet is crucial to making healthy eggs and sperm and therefore a healthy baby.   A fertility boosting diet needs to contain all the vital food groups – carbohydrates, fibre, essential fats, protein and water.

All living foods (animal or plant) are influenced by the environment in which they grow and the processes they are subjected to before they reach your plate.  In order for your body to function at its best and stay healthy, it needs high quality food.

As long ago as 1936, warnings were being given about the poor quality of soil and its effect on crops.  Problems have arisen because chemical fertilisers primarily contain the growth promoting elements nitrogen and phosphorus and exclude the trace elements which are vital to human health.

It follows that if the soil does not contain essential minerals, then plants cannot take them up.  In 1991 a report showed that the mineral content of our food was over 45% greater in 1946 than in 1991. 
If your budget will run to it, eat organic fruit and vegetables and organic/free range meat and fish.

Make sure that you both include all of the following in your diet:-

At least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day.   Make sure they are lightly cooked or raw to preserve the vitamin, mineral and fibre content. 

Try eating a salad each day and incorporate a wide range of different fruits and vegetables.   Go for the “rainbow effect” on your plate. Regularly eating fruit and vegetables can halve your risk of miscarriage.

Eat complex carbohydrates as they are your key source of energy and vital fertility boosting nutrients such as zinc, selenium and B vitamins.  Complex carbohydrates are found in vegetables, wholemeal bread, oats, wholemeal pasta, brown rice, pulses and beans.  
Avoid simple carbohydrates in the form of white bread, cakes, pastry, white flour, sugar which have little or no nutritional value and disrupt your blood sugar levels.   Fruit is okay as it contains vital nutrients which are important for fertility. 
Including whole grains, fruit and vegetables  in your diet should ensure that you get plenty of fibre.  Fibre is needed to keep your bowels healthy, clear out toxins and old hormone residues.  Don’t add bran to your food as it actually blocks the absorption of vital nutrients such as iron and zinc. 

If you suffer from constipation, soak a tablespoon of organic linseeds (flaxseeds) overnight in water then add the whole lot to porridge or muesli in the morning.

At least 6 glasses of water of water every day. Water is essential for hormone balance, transporting nutrients to your organs, removal of toxins and metabolising stored fat. Drink little and often through the day. Flavour water with fresh orange or lemon slices or try herb or fruit teas. If you drink tap water, filter it first. Don’t drink with a meal as you will dilute your digestive juices and make it more difficult for your system to digest and absorb what you eat.

Protein foods are needed for building and repairing cells, manufacturing hormones and a healthy reproductive system. You do not store proteins and so need a constant supply. Try eating some good quality protein with every meal. Good sources of protein are oily fish, eggs, pulses, beans, meat, poultry, nuts and seeds.

Make sure that you have free range/organic meat and poultry. Factory reared chickens contain more fat than protein and should be avoided. If you have fibroids, endometriosis or PCOS then you are best to avoid red meats, otherwise keep it to a maximum of twice a week.

Avoid dairy foods if you can. Modern production methods mean that dairy cows are milked when they are pregnant and so high levels of oestrogen are present in the milk. This carries over into all dairy products which are known to increase oestrogen levels in the blood. Try having sheep or goat’s milk instead.

Fat is an essential part of your diet and cutting all fat out will lead to a wide variety of serious health problems. However, fats can be divided into two groups; those that help your body to function and increase fertility and those that contribute to its destruction. The fats that you need are fresh, unprocessed fats containing one or both of the essential Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are vital to the development of a baby's brain, eyes and nervous system. It is also needed for the maintenance and repair of your brain and nervous system. Omega 3's are anti-inflammatory and deficiency has been linked with a number of health ailments.

Essential fatty acids are found in oily fish, such as sardines, tuna, salmon, trout, herring and mackerel and in nuts and seeds. People often avoid nuts, thinking that the high fat content will make them put on weight, but the essential fats that nuts contain actually help your body to metabolise stored fat.

You need to avoid trans-fats and hydrogenated fats. These are fats which have undergone chemical processing which changes their molecular structure, making them damaging to the body. This kind of fat is most commonly found in fried foods, cakes, biscuits, chips, pastries, margarine, processed foods, crisps and "fast food". Eating 4g of trans-fats daily (the equivalent of half a portion of takeaway fried chicken) has been shown to cause problems with ovulation and reduce fertility. However, essential fatty acids can improve fertility for both men and women.

Studies have shown that children born to mothers who ate at least 350g of oily fish every week had more advanced motor, communication and social skills. The housewives tale that fish makes you clever is proving to be true, as it is now known to be vital to proper brain function throughout life.

Get back to basics

Avoid all processed, packaged, "free from", low sugar, low fat and microwaveable foods. Invest in a good cookbook and prepare your meals using fresh, organic, free range produce. Think about how far your food has travelled and how it is prepared. Factory-processed food which uses cheap ingredients, sugar and flavouring, hydrogenated fats just isn't going to provide you with the nutrients you need to make a healthy baby.

Have lots of variety in your diet to make sure you get all the vitamins, minerals, fats and proteins you need. It's no good just eating carrots and peas with your Sunday dinner and expecting to have healthy sperm and eggs! (And some people do!)

Include as many of the "superfoods" in your diet as you possibly can:-

Sprouted beans and seeds: These are newly germinated seeds and pulses, baby plants bursting with all of the concentrated nutrition necessary to produce a fully grown plant.
Sprouts are a powerhouse of nutrients.
• All the trace minerals including selenium and zinc.
• Antioxidant nutrients such as Vitamins A, C, B and E.
• Bioflavonoids
• Amino acids (the building blocks of protein)
• Antioxidant enzymes.
• Fibre
• RNA and DNA which are anti-ageing.
• Protein
• Calcium

Eating sprouts regularly can result in an enormous improvement in your general health, boosting the immune system, revitalising and strengthening the body, improving digestion, combating tiredness and stress.

Sprouted beans and seeds can be added to salads, stir fries, soups, casseroles or eaten on their own. If you are adding them to cooked food, add them for no more than 1 minute at the end just to warm them through. If you cook sprouts to a high temperature you will simply destroy all of the wonderful nutrients they contain.

Beansprouts are an important source of protein for vegetarians and vegans and are soooo cheap!
Hemp Seeds: Hemp seeds contain all the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids necessary to maintain healthy human life. No other single plant source has the essential amino acids in such an easily digestible form, nor has the essential fatty acids in as perfect a ratio to meet human nutritional needs.

Hemp seed is a nutritious dietary source of easily digestible gluten-free protein. It provides a well-balanced array of all the amino acids, including 34.6g of protein per 100g. The fatty acid profile of the hemp seed is extremely beneficial, containing omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in a virtually ideal ratio.

Other beneficial aspects of hemp seed include a strongly favourable ratio of unsaturated/saturated fat; a high content of antioxidants; and a wide variety of vitamins and minerals.

Shelled hemp seeds are delicious when added to salads or to a breakfast muesli.

Avocados: Avocados are rich, creamy, and filling. Although they're often shunned for being "fattening" (they average about 300 calories each, mostly from fat), avocados are actually heart-healthy if you eat them in moderation.

Their oils are mostly monounsaturated - the kind that lowers LDL ("bad") cholesterol but maintains HDL ("good") cholesterol. Many people think avocados have cholesterol, but no plant foods do.

Avocados provide important nutrients, including folate, vitamins C and E, and potassium, as well as fibre (about 12g in each). Their phytochemicals include beta-sitosterol (a natural sterol that lowers cholesterol), glutathione (an antioxidant that may protect against certain cancers), and lutein (a carotenoid that may help protect against macular degeneration and cataracts). Recent research from Ohio State University showed that avocados can significantly boost absorption of carotenoids from other foods, suggesting you should add a bit of avocado to your salads in place of less-healthful toppings. They are also delicious when whizzed into a vegetable/fruit juice (see below).

Coconut: Coconut is highly nutritious and rich in fibre, vitamins, and minerals. It is classified as a "functional food" because it provides many health benefits beyond its nutritional content.

The flesh of coconut contains Vitamin C, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Vitamin B-6, Folate, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin A, Retinol, Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), Vitamin K, a range of minerals including calcium, selenium and magnesium AND amino acids. A true superfood!

Use coconut oil for cooking in place of saturated oils. Use coconut milk to make a satisfying smoothie by adding a banana and raw egg. Eat coconut flesh as a snack food.

Chlorella and Spirulina: Green plants contain chlorophyll which is the result of sunlight being converted into energy during the process of photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is antibacterial, can cleanse and detoxify the body, purify the liver, and improve blood sugar problems.

These micro-algae contain an astounding array of nutritional elements: vitamins, macro minerals, trace minerals, essential fatty acids, protein, nucleic acids (RNA and DNA), chlorophyll, and a vast spectrum of phytochemicals. They are thought to contain every nutrient required by the human body. You could literally live off these micro-algae. You wouldn't need to eat much, either, since they are so nutritionally dense.

Chlorella has been touted as the perfect whole food. Aside from being a complete protein and containing all the B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, and the major minerals (with zinc and iron in amounts large enough to be considered supplementary), it has been found to improve the immune system, improve digestion, detoxify the body, accelerate healing, protect against radiation, aid the body in the elimination of heavy metals & other toxins such as PCBs, mercury, and lead, aid in the prevention of degenerative diseases, help in the treatment of Candida albicans, relieve arthritis pain and, because of its nutritional content, aid in the success of numerous weight loss programmes.

Spirulina's pre-digested protein provides building material soon after ingestion, its mucopolysaccharides relax and strengthen connective tissue while reducing the possibility of inflammation; its simple carbohydrates yield immediate yet sustained energy; its GLA fatty acids improve hormonal balance; and its protein-bonded vitamins and minerals, as found in all whole foods, assimilate better than the synthetic variety. Spirulina can generally be considered an appropriate food for those who exercise vigorously, as evidenced by the many world-class athletes who use it.

Chlorella & Spirulina can be taken in tablet form or as a powder added to smoothies or vegetable juices.
Bee Pollen: Bee Pollen contains nearly all the nutrients required by humans, all the essential amino acids, a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals, trace elements, enzymes (including anti-oxidants), and hormone precursors which stimulate hormone production and help anti-aging. About half of its protein is in the form of free amino acids that are ready to be used directly by the body. Such highly assimilable protein can contribute significantly to your protein needs.

Bee pollen can be taken as grains straight off the spoon, added to breakfast cereal or added to a smoothie or vegetable juice.

Bee pollen powder harvested in Norfolk is available from Apitherapy Health. Their website address is www.apitherapy.biz/home.html. They also do Apimist which is their own unique food product, made from Royal Jelly, Propolis, and Pollen, in a base of pure honey. Each heaped teaspoon (~10g) typically contains 200mg of royal jelly, 400mg of propolis, 1000mg of pollen and 8g of honey.

Bee Pollen can be taken in tablet form if you prefer, I would recommend Solgar as a reliable make.

If you'd like to try incorporating some of these green foods into your diet, I can recommend Greens RX. Greens Rx is a scientific blend of nature's most potent super foods. It contains organic Green Kamut, Barley and Alfalfa with Red Beet Juice powder and Spirulina Blue-Green Algae, 99% oil free Soy Lecithin provides essential phospholipids, and essential fibre is provided by Apple Fibre and Brown Rice Germ & Bran. Organic Soy Sprouts and Sprouted Barley Malt provides important isoflavones and enzymes, and a special dairy free, temperature stable Probiotic Culture provides Lactobacillus acidophilus for a healthy colon.

Royal Jelly and Bee Pollen add energy stimulating properties. Acerola Berry Juice powder provides a natural source of Vitamin C and bioflavonoids. Liquorice Root Powder provides potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and Pacific Kelp provides iodine and essential trace minerals.

These sixteen 'Super foods' together provide a synergistic nutrient profile greater than any one of them alone. Many other 'green' products claim up to 50 ingredients to create a label impression of being superior, however analysis shows that most of these additional nutrients are added in nutritionally insignificant amounts, thereby reducing the levels of the important nutrients. Greens Rx is available from www.bodykind.com tel: 0800 0435566.

Juicing is a great way to get lots of vital nutrients into your body in a way that is easily absorbed. Having a freshly made juice each day can give you loads of energy, keep blood sugar levels stable and help you lose any excess weight. You can add avocado, Greens RX or bee pollen to a juice to make it even more nutrient dense. There's so much to say in favour of juicing that I strongly recommend you read this book by Jason Vale. Getting down to your ideal weight is really important, as excess fat stores have a negative influence on hormones for both men and women.

Foods to avoid

Aspartame and MSG should be eliminated from your diet. Aspartame is used to sweeten foods and drink and can be found in a huge range of products. In the digestive system it is broken down to formaldehyde, the chemical that scientists use to preserve specimens. Aspartame is the most controversial food additive in history. The most recent evidence links it to, amongst other things, headaches, blindness, seizures, leukaemia and lymphoma. It is thought to accumulate in the cells, causing damage to the cell DNA.

MSG (monosodium glutamate) is used as flavour enhancer in a wide range of products. It acts as an exciter to the nervous system and can literally over-excite cells to death. Scientists use MSG to make rats obese for observation. The MSG triples the amount of insulin the pancreas produces, causing rats to become insulin resistant and obese. It has been found to cause infertility in test animals. Check food labels for pea, corn or whey protein as they have been hydrolysed, a process which always involves MSG. Also check soups, gravy powder, stock cubes and any pre-prepared food for the presence of MSG.

Caffeine (in tea, coffee, chocolate, cola drinks) is dehydrating and stimulates the release of stress hormones. It is known to have an adverse effect on female fertility increasing the length of time it takes to conceive and increasing the risk of miscarriage. In men, caffeine affects the health of sperm and so should be avoided by both of you. Decaffeinated tea and coffee are not a good substitute as chemicals are used in the decaffeination process which remain in the product. Go for plenty of water, herb or fruit teas or redbush tea, Dandelion coffee, barley cup and peppermint tea are also useful.

Recreational drugs In women, marijuana use can cause irregular periods and prevent ovulation. Men who smoke marijuana have less seminal fluid, a reduced sperm count and sperm which swim very fast, but too early, reducing their chances of fertilisation. Cocaine use damages all the semen parameters and its effects can be seen in the sperm for up to 2 years after use. Cocaine can result in neurological damage to the baby. Recreational drug users should ideally avoid all drugs for at least a year before conception.

Alcohol acts as a diuretic causing nutrients such as zinc and folic acid to be excreted. It is toxic to both the sperm and egg and the baby once you are pregnant. Ideally both partners should avoid alcohol completely. Alcohol in excessive amounts during pregnancy is associated with permanent and devastating birth defects. Sperm quality is seriously compromised by heavy drinking. An absolute safe limit in the pre-conception time is not known, but the occasional glass of wine is unlikely to have an adverse effect.

One study showed a lower pregnancy rate for couples where the man drank more than 10 units per week. Avoid alcoholic binges and remember the effect potentially lasts for up to 3 months. It is unwise to drink more than 1 or 2 units per night for women and 2 or 3 units per night for men, and not more than once or twice per week. Remember, the average bottle of wine contains 8-10 units. 1 pint of beer = 2 units. 1 shot of spirits = 1 unit.

Anything wrapped in plastic! If you buy from your local supermarket, chances are that some of your fruit and vegetables will be shrink wrapped in plastic. Soft plastics contain xenoestrogens (artificial hormones) which leak into the food and disrupt your own hormone levels. Buy your fruit and vegetables fresh and make sure that there is no soft plastic on them. Also, avoid the use of cling film for the same reason.

Microwaved food. Leaving aside the fact that microwave ovens give out electro-magnetic radiation within a range of 15 feet and through brick walls - microwaving food destroys its vitamin content; damages the cell walls of food to such a degree that the remaining particles are barely recognisable as food by the gut, causing immune response reactions.

Carcinogenic toxins could be leached from plastic or paper plates or covers and mix with your food. If you bear in mind that many people use processed pre-prepared quick foods in their microwaves, it is easy to imagine that far from feeding the body, the food they eat is, to some extent, toxic to the body.

Cola drinks contain a vast array of chemicals, phosphoric acid, sugar, sweeteners, caffeine and preservatives. They are toxic to your body, leaching vital nutrients from your system and calcium from your bones. Don't be fooled by "diet" or caffeine free colas. If it's a cola you should view it as a potential poison to your body.

Foods containing vital nutrients for fertility

Beta Carotene	Vitamin B6	Vitamin B12	Vitamin C	Selenium	Chromium	Manganese
Green plants Carrots Sweet potatoes Apricots Squash Green peppers	Whole grains Chickpeas Seeds Raisins Lentils Bananas Avocado Cabbage Molasses Milk products Eggs	Sardines Trout Salmon Lamb Eggs Lean beef Edam cheese Cottage cheese	Red peppers Kale Parsley Watercress Broccoli Kiwi fruit Strawberries Blackcurrants Papaya Spinach Oranges & juice Cabbage Melon Mango Lemon	Brazil nuts Garlic Butter Barley Smoked herring Brown rice Wheatgerm Oats Wholegrains Red Swiss chard	Wheat germ Rye bread Potatoes Green pepper Apples Butter Parsnips Cornmeal Banana Spinach Carrots Blueberries Green beans Butter Cabbage Molasses Black pepper	Pecans Spinach Brazil nuts Barley Oats Rye Raisins Buckwheat Turnip greens Split peas Beet greens Walnuts Brussels sprouts Cornmeal Millet Carrots Broccoli Brown rice Green leafy vegetables Ginger Eggs Parsley Thyme Cloves

 

Vitamin E	Folic Acid	Calcium	Magnesium	Iron	Potassium	Zinc
Whole Grains Nuts Seeds Organic Cold Pressed Nut & Seed Oils (Sesame, Walnut)	Blackeye Peas Beans & Pulses Lentils Green Leafy Vegetables Asparagus Oatmeal Dried Figs Avocado	Parsley Watercress Spinach Broccoli Cottage Cheese Yoghurt Bony Fish Figs Kelp Molasses Hard Cheese (Edam, Gouda) Sesame Seeds Linseeds Tofu	Almonds Kelp Green Leafy Vegetables Tofu Legumes Rye Buckwheat Millet Molasses Brown Rice Bananas Dried Figs Dried Apricots Barley	Meat (Lean) Fish Chicken Eggs Kelp Molasses Pumpkin Seeds Broccoli Oatmeal Spinach Parsley Dried Apricots Dried Figs Dried Peaches Prunes Sardines	Bananas Avocado Carrots Pineapple Leafy Green Vegetables Lima Beans Potato Tomato Apples Dried Apricots Peaches Melon	Lean Meat Fish Chicken Eggs Pumpkin Seeds Sunflower Seeds Whole Grains Legumes Ginger Root Split Peas Rye Oats Parsley

Factors affecting sperm health
The testes are outside the male body because they need to be kept cooler than body temperature. It's important for the man to wear loose clothing, cotton underpants and to avoid hot saunas or baths. Compression of the testes due to cycling, sitting all day or having thick thighs can all affect sperm health. Cyclists can buy saddles with indents to accommodate the testes, taxi or lorry drivers can try sitting on a ring such as a child's swimming ring. If you use a laptop don't sit it on your lap to use it, place it on a desk and don't keep a mobile phone in your trouser pocket.

Sperm is particularly vulnerable to what is known as oxidative stress or free radical damage. Free radicals are unstable molecules that are linked with cellular destruction and high levels endanger sperm function and viability.

 Some causes are poor nutrition, pollutants such as smoking and poor detoxification processes by the body. Burnt, fried and barbequed foods are also sources of free radicals. Damage often results in abnormally formed sperm, and a poor morphology result. Free radicals can also cause sperm to become hyperactive whilst still in the reproductive tract which affects their motility.

Semen normally contains agents known as anti-oxidants to protect sperm against free radicals and if in some way this natural defence system is impaired, the effect on sperm can be extremely damaging. Therefore it is essential to both remove potential causes of free radical damage and to eat a diet high in anti-oxidants.

Sources of free radicals

• Smoking
• Processed foods, particularly foods high in artificial additives
• Fast foods
• Alcohol
• Recreational drugs
• Foods that contain high amounts of poor quality fats and oils, particularly processed meats, margarines, biscuits and pastries, and take-aways.
• Fried, BBQd and burnt foods
• Exposure to environmental pollution such as traffic fumes. Keep car windows closed in traffic jams and wear a mask if you cycle

The most potent anti-oxidants for improving male fertility are:

Vitamin E: This is a fat-soluble vitamin and the main anti-oxidant in sperm membranes. It works with selenium in its anti-oxidative capacity.  If you are taking prescribed medicines for blood pressure or blood thinning medications such as aspirin, heparin or warfarin please seek advice before taking vitamin E.

Selenium: This antioxidant mineral is vital for healthy sperm formation, particularly motility. It also protects against toxic metal contamination. Consumption of selenium in food is dependant on the amount in the soil where the food is grown, and it is believed that the soil is often highly depleted of this mineral, so supervised supplementation is especially recommended.

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C): Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and its most important role in male fertility is the prevention of agglutination, when sperm clump together. This often happens when anti-bodies bind to sperm and can be a result of present or past genito-urinary infection. Vitamin C is also a powerful anti-oxidant and present in high levels in seminal fluid. Over heating and smoking easily destroy it.

Other Important Nutrients In Male Fertility:

Zinc: Zinc is a trace mineral, and perhaps one of the most well known nutrients important in male fertility. Zinc deficiency decreases both testosterone and sperm counts. It is highly concentrated in the seminal fluid and seminal plasma zinc concentration is significantly correlated with sperm density, motility and viability. However zinc supplementation needs to be carefully monitored because too high doses can impair immune function.

L-Arginine: This is an amino acid that may affect both sperm count and motility. The heads of sperm contain large amounts and abnormal sperm counts often indicate a deficiency of arginine in the semen.
Note: People who suffer from the herpes virus should avoid foods rich in arginine as it stimulates the virus to replicate.

L-Carnitine: This amino acid plays a crucial role in the metabolic processes of energy production that fuel sperm motility and high levels are normally found in sperm cells. Vegetarians should be aware that there is virtually no carnitine in plant foods, and supplementation can be important.

Co-enzyme Q10: Co-enzyme Q10 is a vital catalyst in the conversion of food to energy within cells. In sperm cells it is concentrated in the mid piece where it is an energy promoter and anti-oxidant. Research is showing that it may be effective in improving fertilisation rates following ICSI.

In addition, vitamins B12 and folic acid, the amino acid taurine and the anti-oxidant glutathione are all important for fertilityVitamins C and E, zinc, selenium, Co-enzyme Q10, Carnitine and Arginine are all vital to sperm health. It can be worth supplementing the diet with Zita West's Vitamen, which you can buy at 20% discount as a patient of this clinic.

Foods Containing Vital Nutrients For Male Fertility

Selenium	Vitamin E	Vitamin C	Zinc	Arginine	Carnitine	Vitamin B12	Folic Acid
Brazil nuts Wheat germ Oats Garlic & onions Barley Butter Smoked herring Brown rice Whole grains Red Swiss chard	Nut & seed oils Nuts & seeds Wheat germ & wheat germ oil Whole grains Eggs Green leafy vegetables	Citrus fruits Kiwi fruit Strawberries Blackcurrants Red pepper Broccoli & cabbage Brussels sprouts Melon Mango Watercress Spinach Papaya Parsley	Meat Fish Chicken Eggs Pumpkin / Sunflower seeds Whole grains Beans & pulses Ginger root Rye Oats	Nuts especially Walnuts Almonds Brazil nuts Beans Lentils	Beef Pork Lamb Dairy products	Meat Fish esp. trout, salmon, sardines Eggs Cheese esp. Edam	Green leafy vegetables Beans Lentils Asparagus Oatmeal Dried figs Avocado

Semen analysis

If you have been trying to conceive for a while (at least 6 months) it is important that you are both investigated. Male infertility is the sole cause of failing to conceive in 20% of cases and a contributory factor in 30 - 40% of cases. You should refrain from ejaculating for 3 days before giving your sample for analysis.

An analysis will give you sperm count, motility and morphology. It will also assess your seminal volume, the PH, white blood cells, round cells, agglutination of sperm, antisperm antibodies, debris, liquefaction and viscosity of the sample.

The sperm count should be over 20 million per millilitre.

The sperm motility (how many of them are actually moving) should be more than 50%, with at least 25% having rapid progression.

The sperm morphology (relates to the number of normal/abnormal sperm) the number of normal sperm should be greater than 15%. Abnormal sperm can have malformations in the tail where it can be coiled, thickened or a double tail, disabling the sperm. (This is more common in older men.) The head of the sperm should be oval, and a round, pin, large or double head may make fertilisation impossible.

Following the advice in this article can significantly improve both sperm count, motility and morphology.

General lifestyle

It's important to exercise, eat well and keep stress levels down at all times, but particularly when you are trying for a baby. Stress hormones (adrenalin and cortisol) are released when your brain thinks that you are in some kind of danger and is an automatic response to any anxious thought. Adrenalin release is not under the control of your conscious mind and so you must begin to be aware of your thoughts and what makes you feel stressed.

If you are constantly worrying about whether or not you will get pregnant, about work or your relationship, your brain will release stress hormones. The major problem for you is that when your body makes hormones, it's a bit like baking cakes. Just as you might take flour, sugar and butter and decide to make a sponge cake or a fruit cake, so from the basic ingredients (i.e. food) your body can choose to make reproductive hormones or stress hormones. Stress hormones will always take priority and so your reproductive hormones suffer.

If you notice that you tend to get anxious or stressed, the first step to take in beating it is to become aware. Notice if you are getting anxious and saying negative things to yourself and tell yourself to stop, that you need to let go of this. Next, ask yourself if the thing you are anxious about is really your problem. If it isn't - let it go. If the problem is yours, ask yourself if there is anything positive you can do about it right now. If the answer is no - let it go.

How do you let it go? If it's someone else's problem you must trust that they can deal with it. If it's your problem then you must trust yourself that you are doing the best you can.

Taking time out to do some guided relaxation can help you to relax and switch off the stress response. You can download some MP3 guided relaxations from this website.  Make a habit of taking time out to fully relax every day.

Exercise is a great way to burn off stress hormones and will be good to improve muscle tone, blood, nutrient and oxygen flow to your uterus and ovaries and to the testes. Some cardiovascular exercise such as walking or dancing together with weight bearing exercise and stretching will help get you fit for pregnancy. Pilates is particularly good and I highly recommend it. Most importantly, do what you enjoy and not what you think you should be doing.

Keep a sense of balance in your life. As I said earlier, sex should not be just about baby making, but an expression of your love and commitment to each other. Make sure you have relaxation time together and that you do things you enjoy. Build a strong and supportive relationship between you, you'll need it when you're pregnant and parents of a baby that seems to take over your whole life!

Smoking

If either of you are smokers and you are serious about getting pregnant, you need to stop NOW. (Acupuncture treatment can help with this.) Smoking damages the reproductive system of both men and women. Smoking affects hormone balance by making FSH levels significantly higher than they should be. It has the affect of ageing your eggs, affects the womb lining, reducing the chances of pregnancy and increasing the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, prematurity and birth defects. Passive smoking also affects a woman’s chances of conception.. It can bring on irregular periods and early menopause by lowering oestrogen levels. It depletes the body of Vitamin C and zinc, increases the risk of miscarriage and halves the chances of you getting pregnant.  For women smokers, the effect has been compared to an increase in female age of more than 10 years.

For men smoking affects erectile function, sperm count, motility and morphology and can make smokers 75% less fertile than non-smokers. It affects the DNA of the sperm leading to increased risk of miscarriage and affects the health of the unborn child.

Smoking for either partner almost halves the success rate of IVF, ICSI or IUI. These risks are the same if you actively or passively smoke, so both partners must stop.

Supplementing Your Diet

• Multivitamins: Take a good quality preconception multi-vitamin and mineral supplement such as Zita West’s Vitafem for women and Vitafem for men.
• Essential fatty acids: Eight out of ten women are deficient in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). We recommend 2 Vital DHA a day for women. These are important for the development of the foetal brain.
• Folic acid: If you choose not to take extra supplements, just make sure you are getting enough folic acid in your everyday diet as the research clearly shows that this prevents neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Women with chronic conditions such as epilepsy or diabetes may require a higher dose of folic acid, so speak to your GP.

Tips for preparing for IVF

General Health and fitness

• If you are having repeated cycles try and allow a break of a month or two between cycles to allow your ovaries to recover.
• IVF stands a better chance of working if you’re not overweight (or seriously underweight). I can create a programme for you to help you lose weight slowly and gradually.
• Don’t smoke and avoid smoky atmospheres, as cigarette smoke affects the lining of the womb.
• Avoid aerobic exercise once you start your cycle. As your hormonal system shuts down to prepare for IVF, your body needs rest. Gentle exercise such as walking and yoga is fine.
• Limit the amount of time spent sitting at a desk / computer as this restricts blood flow. Rest and have early nights.

Reproductive Health

• Ideally you will be having acupuncture in the lead up to starting your IVF cycle. Continue having weekly acupuncture from the time that you start your cycle up to egg collection. This will help to improve the flow of blood and energy to your reproductive organs, balance the body, build up the womb lining, grow follicles and help with implantation.
• Keep your lower back and abdomen warm, particularly leading up to egg collection and between egg collection and transfer. Use a hot bag, hot water bottle or your hands. Do not use heat after embryo transfer.

Psychological and emotional preparation

• Visualisation is very important at every stage of IVF. There are so many hurdles to overcome. Try not to allow yourself to slip into anxiety or negative thinking. At each stage of treatment, visualise what is happening in your body – the follicles growing, the eggs maturing, the womb lining thickening, the embryos implanting. You may find my Relaxation and Visualisation CD helpful at this time.
• Explore relaxation techniques to find one that suits you and fits into your life easily. Try meditation, yoga or tai chi.

Stress Management

• IVF is a stressful business so take time out occasionally to stop thinking and worrying and spend time with your partner doing things you both enjoy. You need to be able to support each other through this and to still have a good relationship at the end of it. You’ll both react differently to the pressures, so try to find ten minutes each evening to talk about what has happened and how you are feeling, so everything is out in the open.
• Do not underestimate the time involved or the space you need to make in order to have IVF.
• Breathing dynamics and visualisation is an excellent way to combat stress during the IVF process. Good breathing technique also helps to circulate oxygen around the body and into the reproductive organs.

IVF Protocols

Tips for the long protocol – down regulation/suppression

• It’s not easy to take a whole month off work, but be aware of what’s happening to your hormonal system and slow down. Take things as easy as you possibly can and RELAX. Get plenty of early nights - sleep is very important for your body at this stage.
• Allow plenty of time in your schedule for appointments - at least seven hours a week, depending on how often your clinic performs scans and blood tests and how long you’re kept waiting at the clinic.
• Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Visualise the hormones in your body shutting down your ovaries and no follicles developing. Tell yourself everything is working as it should be and that you are strong and healthy.

Tips for the short protocol – stimulation

• Stay relaxed and take each day as it comes. Anxiety and stress releases adrenaline into your blood stream. Spend some time each day sitting quietly and breathing deeply. Banish negative thoughts as they arise.
• Repeat positive affirmations out loud: ‘my eggs are growing, ripening and maturing; my eggs are of good quality; my womb lining is growing thick’. Imagine sending oxygen to your womb lining, helping it to grow. Visualise your eggs growing. Focus on how you want your body to respond.

Egg collection and Transfer

• Keep the lower abdomen warm up to and before egg collection. Do not use extra heat afterwards, just eat warm nourishing foods and keep warm.
• A recent study has shown that women who had acupuncture before and after embryo transfer had a 42% success rate per cycle compared to 26% amongst those who did not. Studies also support the contribution that relaxation can make to improving conception rates.
• Rest as much as you can and get plenty of early nights. After transfer, we recommend rest for a minimum for two - three days to give your embryos every possible chance to implant. Don’t feel guilty about taking time off and staying in bed if you wish. A gentle walk after day 4 is fine. The kidneys play an important role in reproduction according to Chinese medicine. They are especially active between 5pm and 7pm so this is a crucial time to rest quietly.
• AVOID caffeine, smoking, alcohol, sex, drugs, flying, heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, housework (including vacuuming), horse riding and aerobics, sun bathing, saunas, hot tubs, Jacuzzis, swimming and hot baths. Take a shower instead.
• Try to spend 15 minutes every morning and evening visualising what is happening inside your womb - your ovaries healing, the swelling reducing, the womb lining thickening and the thick red blood flow, the embryos floating safely, the cells dividing, the embryos embedding in the thick endometrium.
• Colour can help to enhance your mood and balance your body. Different colours are linked to the chakras or energy centres of the body. Blue is relaxing and orange is particularly helpful around the time of transfer. Surround yourself with these colours using blankets, scarves and flowers.
• Maintain a positive frame of mind.  Once a fertilised embryo has been replaced in your uterus, hold the intention that you are pregnant and your body is doing all that it needs to in order to sustain the embryo.  Until you have evidence to the contrary, hold that belief and don’t let any negative thoughts creep in.  Remember that your body responds to what you think, so focus on what you want to happen, not what you don’t want.

The IVF Protocol

The average success rate for IVF is about 23% per cycle and 12% for frozen embryos. The success rate decreases with the woman's age. The body is more responsive first time round, after 4-5 cycles the process has a toll on the body.

IVF Drugs send a woman into a menopausal state, the drugs can lead to hot flushes, sweating, palpitation, emotional imbalance. IVF disrupts the yin/yang energetic balance of the body.

You should prepare for IVF at least 4 - 6 weeks beforehand:

No coffee, tea, wheat, salt, dairy. Drink 2 litres of fluid daily, take a good multivitamin, DHA supplement 4 x 350mg capsules.

The fertility clinic will carry out Pre-IVF tests:

• Aids/hepatitis C on both partners.
• Prolactin blood test. Needs to be between 0 and 25. High levels may interfere with the ability to produce follicles.
• FSH levels are usually tested on day 3 of the menstrual cycle. FSH needs to be below 10. High levels of FSH suggest a perimenopausal state and may be an indication that eggs may not be able to function properly.
• Semen analysis for sperm count, quality, quantity, motility and behaviour.
• Hysteroscopy to examine the inside of the uterus for surface lesions, polyps, fibroids or scarring that could affect chances of success.
• Flush through of the fallopian tubes to check for any blockages.

Acupuncture and lifestyle changes can improve the health of both the man's sperm and the woman's eggs.

Stage 1 - suppression.

Drugs are given by nasal spray or injection from day 21 of the cycle in the luteal phase.

The Pituitary gland normally releases a small amount of FSH and LH in response to gonadotrophiin releasing hormone being released from the hypothalamus. The suppression drugs will make the pituitary gland release all of it's FSH and LH so that your body does not begin to ripen an egg in the next cycle.

As a result of depleted levels of these hormones, follicles no longer have any fuel to grow and for one to dominate. The follicles stop growing until the stimulation phase of treatment, when a number will grow at an equal rate.

Period then occurs.

Down regulation generally takes 10 to 12 days. A blood check or baseline scan will measure the oestrogen level to determine if your system is suppressed.

Suppression drugs continue into Stage 2, when stimulation drugs are given. This is to avoid you ovulating on your own and give the clinic control over ovulation and egg collection.

Cysts can stop down regulation. Cysts may be drained and the cycle may be abandoned.

The scan may show that down regulation has not occurred. A drug will be necessary to activate a normal period and the cycle will have to start again.

Side effects from the nasal spray can include mood swings, breast tenderness, hot flushes, headaches, changes in sex drive.

Acupuncture helps to support the "shutting down" process of the hormone drugs during this phase.

Stage 2. - Stimulation

Drugs are given by injection to stimulate the follicles to grow at an equal rate. They are given night and morning from the second or third day of the cycle.

The pituitary gland starts to release FSH to stimulate follicles. The drugs stimulate the release of extra FSH and LH to support follicular growth.

Drugs used are derived from the urine of menopausal women, which contains FSH and LH.

Frequent scans and blood tests are needed to monitor the development of follicles.

Essential Fatty Acids (Omega 3) are very important, together with water and red meat to build blood. If you don't eat red meat, then wheatgrass/barley grass and spirulina are good.

Some women can get ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome. The signs and symptoms are ovarian cysts, discomfort, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, abdominal pain and swelling. Always go back to the hospital immediately if you have these symptoms.

Side effects from the drugs include abdominal bloating, nausea, diarrhoea, weight gain, fatigue.

Acupuncture in this phase helps the eggs to grow and supports the growth of the follicles. It can also help with the side effects of the drugs.

Stage 3 - Egg retrieval/ sperm collection

When the follicles are stimulated, a scan will look for eggs between 18 and 23mm. Quality is more important than quantity. A scan will look for the most eggs in the right range, some may be over-mature and others under-mature.

When the eggs have matured they will be retrieved using ultrasound guided egg collection. This is the most common technique and may be done under mild sedation or a general anaesthetic. A fine hollow needle is passed under ultrasound guidance via the vagina and each egg is removed in turn. The procedure usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. Occassionaly the needle is passed through the abdominal wall. Spotting can occur 24 to 48 hours after retrieval and that's nothing to worry about. Heavy bleeding should be reported to the clinic.

A couple of hours before the egg collection, the male partner will be asked to produce a sample of sperm. The sample will be prepared to be combined with the eggs.

Women can feel sore and bruised after retrieval. Take Arnica and plenty of fluids if a lot of eggs have been retrieved. Use a hot water bottle on the abdomen to relieve pain.

In this phase acupuncture helps the lining of the womb to thicken and prepare for the fertilised egg.

Stage 4 - Fertilisation

Eggs are prepared and placed in an incubator. After about 3 to 6 hours, depending on their maturity, the eggs and sperm will be placed together in a specially prepared culture medium.

This medium is prepared in a carefully labelled dish that is kept in an incubator and is inspected the following day to see whether the sperm have fertilised the eggs. If they have, the resulting embryos will be left to grow for a day or two longer.

There may be a mixture of IVF and ICSI at this point. (ICSI is where the man usually has a low sperm count and the sperm is injected into the egg.)

Day 0 - egg retrieval, sperm collection and preparation, insemination.
Day 1 - eggs checked for fertilisation
Day 2 - Embryos at the 4 cell or more stage of development
Day 3 - Embryos at the 8 cell or more stage of development
Day 4- Embryos at the compacted marula (16 - 32 cell) stage
Day 5- Embryos at the blastocyst stage of development

Numeric grading systems for multi-cell embryos usually have 4 levels:

Grade 1 - even cell division, no fragmentation
Grade 2 - even cell division, small fragmentation
Grade 3 - Uneven cell division, moderate fragmentation
Grade 4 - Uneven cell division, excessive fragmentation
Blastocysts are graded differently with a number and 2 letters.

Assisted hatching is where the outside edge of the egg is nicked to help the embryo attach to the uterus when it is put back. This technique is commonly used on the eggs of older women who have a hardened outer surface on the egg.

Stage 5 - Transfer

The transfer process is usually uneventful and pain-free compared to the retrieval process.
Embryos are loaded into a thin flexible catheter which is inserted into the uterus.
The embryos are place as far into the uterus as possible without touching the back wall (0.5 = 1.0cm away from it).
Once the embryos are in place, the catheter is slowly removed.
The catheter is sent back to the lab to make sure there are no embryos sticking to it.
If this happens, the embryo is reloaded into the catheter and transfer re-attempted.
If the womb lining is poor or too thin, the embryo may not embed.

After transfer:

Avoid caffeine, smoking, alcohol, and drugs.
Avoid heavy lifting
Avoid strenuous exercise and housework including vacuuming.
Avoid bouncing activities such as horseback riding, aerobics.
Avoid sunbathing, hot saunas, hot tubs, jacuzzis, swimming baths due to the risk of infection.
Avoid sex and orgasm.
No air travel
Don't cramp the body up. Rest is vital for 2 or 3 days or more.

Visualise and do deep breathing meditation.

There may be spotting after transfer, always let the clinic know.
In this phase the treatment is aimed at supporting the growth of the uterine lining and helping the eggs to embed.

Acupuncture and IVF with Lois Francis Adv.Lic.Ac.M.B.Ac.C.P.G.C.E.Cert.Counselling, NLP Cert.

Acupuncture can support you with both preparation for IVF and throughout your treatment cycle.

Specifically, it can help alleviate any side effects from the drug regime and support the work of the drugs in both the down regulation and up regulation phases of the treatment.   (Research shows that acupuncture given before and after embryo transfer substantially increases the success rate of IVF.)

Every treatment incorporates some hands on healing and visualisation/relaxation techniques which you are encouraged to use at home. It is also helpful to be able to talk about how you are feeling during the IVF treatment with someone who knows what you might be experiencing and is there to support you.

I practise in Coventry and Nuneaton and work Tuesday to Saturday.

To book your appointment with me, please phone the Clinic on 024 7634 3100

Your call will always be answered in person, between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday

You may also email me at lois@acupunctureclinic.co.uk

 

Acupressure in Labour

Acupressure can be safely used in labour to help assist with the birth. Simple techniques can be used by you and your birth partner to relieve pain, help induce labour or keep things going, and to support breast feeding. You can download a free guide to using acupressure techniques, written by leading acupuncturist Debra Betts, by clicking HERE.