FERTILITY AND IVF SUPPORT

CHINESE MEDICAL PREPARATION FOR FEMALES AND MALES BEFORE IVF

For female fertility issues resulting from the aforementioned conditions, we highly recommend that approximately three months prior to the IVF procedure, the patient receives acupuncture and herbal treatments to regulate the body’s functions and make IVF more successful. Sometimes, just after this three-month treatment, a patient can regain a normal menstrual cycle and become pregnant naturally.

During the three-month preparation time, the main objectives of Chinese medical therapy are to:

• Improve the function of the ovaries to allow for development of better quality eggs and strong, healthy embryos.
• Regulate oestrogen and progesterone levels, thereby thickening the lining of the uterus and lowering the FSH levels.
• Reduce stress and strengthen the immune system in both females and males, thereby increasing their sexual functions.
• Improve semen quality and quantity and promote sperm maturation.

CHINESE MEDICAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS DURING IVF

Part one: inactive the ovarian stage (Oral contraceptive pills and down regular injection time)

This stage is for long cycle IVF. Normally, patients commence the contraceptive pill from day two of the menstrual period for 3-5 weeks, further around two weeks of down regular injection to silent the ovarian and thin the lining of uterus. During this stage, the patient is supported with Chinese herbs and acupuncture in order to regulate liver qi, fortify the spleen, and support the patient both mentally and physically. The whole process seeks to calm the spirit and relax the person.

Part two: Ovarian stimulation stage

At this stage, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine should be used to support the kidneys, fortify the spleen, nourish the blood, and improve the blood flow in the ovaries. This produces better quality and quantity of follicles and thickens the lining of the uterus in order to prepare for the transfer of embryos. It can also reduce the unwanted side effects of drugs including headaches, moods swings, hot flushes, bloating etc. Another benefit is that of quietening the mind resulting in less restlessness, insomnia, and anxiety. IVF treatment can be stressful for many couples and this treatment can aid in reducing emotional stress and improving coping capacity. The schedule of ultrasounds, blood work, injections and so on can have you feeling fragile. We are here to help you and your spouse to get through it.

Part three: Transfer and post-IVF waiting time

After the egg collection, there are few days of waiting for the embryos to be transferred. You may experience nervousness and anxiety about the fertilisation process. How are the embryos’ progressing and developing? Those feelings can make you feel restless, leading to a restless uterus, which is not a good environment for embryo transfer. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can reduce the risk of ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome and can aid in a speedy recovery of the ovary following after egg harvesting. The treatment can also calm the uterus and increase the chance of conception following IVF.

Following embryo transfer, our Fertility Programme’s aim is to assist blood circulation in the uterus, maintain implantation of the embryo, and nourish embryo growth. The programme also encourages relaxation of the uterus to prevent uterine contractions that could cause bleeding and miscarriage. After a positive pregnancy test, the Q&D Acu-Herb-IVF Enhancement Program will continue to support you until the twelfth week of your pregnancy or, if required, to full term.