The holidays can be a challenging time when you’re trying to conceive, but with thoughtful planning and self-compassion, you can create moments of joy and peace amidst the season. Remember, it’s okay to prioritize your needs and protect your emotional well-being. This holiday season, give yourself the gift of grace, and know that you are not alone.
Read MoreChronic inflammation triggered by gluten sensitivity not only disrupts hormone balance but also affects the health of reproductive cells, impacting both egg and sperm quality. When inflammation becomes persistent, it creates a cycle of cellular damage and increased free radical activity. This oxidative stress can harm cell membranes, DNA, and other vital structures in eggs and sperm, leading to compromised quality and reduced fertility potential.
Read MoreIf you’ve heard of the MTHFR gene mutation, you might wonder what it means for your health, especially when it comes to fertility and pregnancy. In my practice, I see many patients with this genetic variation, and I’ve had great success supporting them with acupuncture, functional medicine, herbal medicine, lifestyle modifications, and nutrition. I have treated patients with long-standing infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss, where once I identified the MTHFR mutation or variation through lab work and addressed it with my integrative treatment approach, they have gone on to have successful pregnancies. Let’s explore what this mutation is, how it may affect your health, and what you can do to optimize fertility and pregnancy outcomes.
Read MoreBisphenol A (BPA) is a prevalent industrial chemical utilized primarily in the manufacturing of specific plastics and epoxy resins. BPA disrupts normal hormone signaling and reproductive function in both males and females, resulting in impaired fertility, pregnancy complications, and developmental effects on offspring. Minimizing BPA exposure, particularly during critical developmental periods like preconception, pregnancy, and childhood, is crucial for safeguarding reproductive health. This involves avoiding BPA-containing products such as certain plastics and canned foods, and opting for safer alternatives whenever feasible.
Read MoreOne of my favorite types of treatments we do as an acupuncturist is to prepare a pregnant woman for labor. It is such a powerful time in a woman’s life, standing on the precipice of motherhood, preparing to embark on a very new, very personal journey. Something special can occur during those labor preparation treatments that allows a woman to center and ground herself, while encouraging the the necessary hormonal cascade to fall into place, allowing labor to begin. Labor preparation isn’t only about supporting the onset of labor, it’s about supporting the mother-to-be physically, emotionally, and spiritually as she makes her transition into motherhood.
Read MoreThe acupuncture point UB 67 on the Urinary Bladder channel is the primary point used because it is the most dynamic point to activate the uterus. The primary function of acupoint UB 67 is to turn malpositioned babies. The point is located on the tip of the pinky toe, near the lower outside corner of the toenail.
According to TCM theory, moxa has a tonifying and warming effect which promotes movement and activity. The nature of heat is also rising. This warming and raising effect is utilised to encourage the baby to become more active and lift its bottom up in order to gain adequate momentum to summersault into the head down position.
Read MoreWhat should be emphasized, however, is that quantity of eggs does not automatically translate to quality of eggs. There can be a high ovarian reserve with poor egg quality. Conversely, a young woman may have a low ovarian supply due to genetic factors, but she may still have good quality eggs. Usually a woman’s age is combined with her estimated ovarian reserve to predict the quality of her eggs. Because there is not a medical test to determine egg quality, the only real test of egg quality is a live birth.
Read MoreWomen with adequate vitamin D levels, defined as above 20ng/ml, undergoing IVF were TWICE as likely to conceive as women with low vitamin D levels, defined as below 20ng/ml.
Read More
