Acupuncture Pregnancy and In Vitro Fertilization

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of great emotional and physical change. It is also a time when it’s more important than ever to care for your well-being. This is where Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture can help you meet the unique challenges during your pregnancy. Some of the symptoms that be helped include; Back and sciatica pain, breech birth, constipation, edema (swelling from fluid retention) excessive lactation, fatigue, heartburn, hemorrhoids, labor and delivery, morning sickness, and psychological problems.

A specialized treatment plan will be tailored to your specific needs. If your due date has passed, acupuncture can be successful with inducing labor. Western medicine for inducing labor involves the use of medication. Acupuncture and acupressure can help by controlling your pain, calming your mind, and reducing stress during delivery.

After baby has arrived, it’s important to properly recover. Acupuncture can help you regain your strength, boost your immune system, and provide relief if you experience postpartum depression. At this point it is important to discuss an ongoing treatment plan to maintain your wellness.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Treatment for infertility with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) dates back over 2000 years. In my practice I have had a great amount of success in this area, especially with women in which traditional (IVF) methods alone have failed. Research done at Cornell Medical Center has concluded that acupuncture will: Increase blood flow to the uterus, realty improving the chanced of an ovum implanting on the uterine wall, reduce anxiety therefor reducing the secretion of hormones that decrease fertility, normalize the endocrine system which regulates ovulation, positively affect the hypothalamic-pitutary-ovarian axis which plays a key role in fertility, regulate the menstrual cycle. Spasmed fallopian tubes can be unspasmed by acupuncture and combined with herbal therapy can help with repeated pregnancy loss, idiopathic infertility, elevate follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), leuteal phase defect, hyperprolactinemia, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), men with sperm-DNA-fragmentation, increase levels of serum cortisol (CORT) and (PRL). Again, research has proven that an increase in these levels greatly increase fertility and successful implantation of an embryo.

As one can see, there are many factors that are involved in the process from conception to delivery.  Fertilization and a healthy pregnancy is a very complex process. This is why I take a detailed and comprehensive clinical evaluation of the individual patient and compose a treatment plan specific to that person. For more information, call my office at 561-272-7816.

Edward Scarlett (Cert. Ac. Dipl. Ac)         Alive and Well Acupuncture Clinic Delray Beach, FL