Acupuncture is rooted in science, some of the theory might sound a bit airy fairy but don’t let that put you off. When you insert a needle into an area it activates the local nerves, which then send messages to the brain via the central nervous system. From the brain messages then go out to other systems, such as hormonal and reproductive systems aka your ovaries & uterus! It also affects your immune, digestive and cardiovascular systems amongst others. As an acupuncturist my job is to select the points to insert the needles to ask your body to make the change. Your body does the hard work, I just give it a nudge. 

There is no one size fits all when it comes to fertility however as a general guide I recommend weekly sessions for a minimum of 12 weeks, some conditions may need longer treatment periods ie: up to six months and some less frequent. this is the same whether you are coming to see me for natural fertility or prior to an IVF cycle, You will still benefit from fortnightly acupuncture however the overall treatment time may therefore be longer. You can have acupuncture at any point in your cycle as I will adapt the treatment to your cycle stage. 

Your initial consultation is a 90 minute session which includes a 45 minute discussion, an acupuncture treatment and a follow up email with all my personalised recommendations for getting started. This might include nutritional & lifestyle guidance or any recommended further investigations. You also have free access to me over email to answer any questions (office hours). This initial consultation is £120. 

Follow up consultations are 60 minute sessions and include a shorter discussion alongside your acupuncture with ongoing advice & dialogue available over email. Follow up consultations are £75.

If looking after your health is an investment then looking after your fertility is a gold standard investment! I have helped many women avoid the need for fertility treatment and if you are self funding fertility treatment can be much more expensive than a 12 week course of acupuncture. If you are already committed to fertility treatment or have had previous failed cycles then by maximising your chances of this round working, it may mean you save money and more importantly a lot of further heartache. Surely that has to be worth the investment. 

I wish I could guarantee a pregnancy for all of my patients but sometimes there is more to be done and this is why I use a fully integrative approach. 

From our first consultation I will have asked about your lifestyle and medical history and this means I can tailor my advice specifically to you. If I think you need to undergo further medical testing or investigations before proceeding any further then I will help you to make this happen. I can tell you what needs to be checked, where to go and how to go about it. I also work with nutritionists, fertility coaches, personal trainers and fertility clinics to get you access to the best in the business no matter what area you need help with. 

I don’t believe in taking a ‘stab in the dark’ approach (excuse the acupuncture pun!) and will make sure that no stone is left unturned when it comes to helping you work out why you are not getting pregnant. Together we will get there!

If you are joining me at the same time as starting IVF, then as a guide I recommend having acupuncture around the following times in your protocol. I do however change this if I feel you would benefit differently as it’s all about maximising your chances!

Down Regulation – One Tor two treatments, depending on your side effects from meds

Ovarian Stimulation – One or two treatments depending on how your follicles are progressing

Egg Collection – One treatment in the 24 hours after your procedure 

Embryo Transfer – One treatment in the 24 hours after your transfer

Two week wait – One or two treatments, depending on how you are feeling

No! It should not be painful and most women relax and have a little ‘acu-nap’ on the couch. Sometimes you may feel a heavy sensation or a dull ache but nothing that stops you from drifting off to the land of nod. 

I have many women who tell me in advance they are scared of needles and I promise you, not one of them has not enjoyed their first treatment. I always fully explain what’s going on and the needles are in fact very thin and bendy, not like the sort of needles you are thinking of, I can assure you. Once you have that first consultation in the bag you will wonder why you didn’t try it sooner!

In short, acupuncture is suitable for everyone! However I choose to only work with women or couples that are wanting to come with the end goal of having a healthy pregnancy. This means that you are committed to coming on a regular basis and to taking your fertility seriously, in return I will invest fully in you. I only take on a limited number of patients so that I can do this to the best of my ability. I offer you the space to email me within reasonable hours should you have any questions or concerns. I will engage in open and honest dialogue with you to offer you my knowledge, expertise and resources to help you achieve your longed for family.