Chinese Medicine & Fertility. Life's Balancing Act

CHINESE MEDICINE & FERTILITY.    LIFE'S BALANCING ACT

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Fertility is no longer a topic that is discussed behind closed doors. Today, more and more couples are being affected by the ability to non-conceive.  Being diagnosed as “infertile” literally feels like you’ve had the rug pulled from underneath your feet. The word “infertility” holds so much gravity, negativity and disappointment to it. That in one form or another it eventually attaches itself to our psyche, having a widespread affect on the body, emotionally, physically or mentally. Many couples are now turning to reproductive technologies to help them with their fertility issues.  Whilst time may be a factor in all of this, Chinese Medicine can help assist couples in increasing their fertility.

The definition of fertility is described as: “The condition, quality, or degree of being fertile”. Similar to a tree, there are many branches to being fertile. What I love about Chinese Medicine is its philosophy and approach to fertility. Chinese Medicine is all about making our bodies fertile.  You plant a seed in the correct environment with the right parameters and you watch this seed grow and blossom into a beautiful healthy flower.  The same principle applies to our body. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views the body as a whole integrated system that looks at the individual person, as well as the signs and symptoms they present.  Through various diagnostic tools, a TCM practitioner can determine a patient’s strengths and weaknesses and irregularities that may affect their fertility. TCM is based on the Oriental philosophy, which centres on the concept of balance- Yin and Yang. Achieving and maintaining balance is the goal of life. When we are in balance, our bodies and minds function correctly. TCM medicine is all about restoring our body to balance so that it may work the way in which it was attended.  Better health brings a greater ability for the body to function properly and overcome fertility issues.

Often when female patients seek out TCM in regards to infertility, they are tired and stressed. They have problems with their menstrual cycles, but assume that everyone’s reproductive system works a little differently and their menstrual cycle is normal. In most cases, there is some form of menstrual issue.  Through acupuncture and herbal medicine the menstrual cycle can be shifted to function correctly. For example: regulated cycle, functioning luteal phase, correct LH surge.  Patients find that once their menstrual cycle is more regulated they feel better, have more energy and handle stress better, often with fewer emotional swings and a more positive outlook on life.  Many patients report they never realized how much the menstrual cycle affected their overall well-being. These outward signs reflect improved functioning of the intricate process of the reproduce system.

The question is, So how do we improve our fertility? My philosophy in life is based on health-life-balance. If you want your eggs and sperm to be healthy and active you also need to be healthy and active. Take the same care of your body as you would if you were already pregnant. Do it for that same reason you would if you were already pregnant. For the most part, the things that keep your body healthy also support your fertility. I take the firm stand: everyone who wants to conceive will benefit by getting himself or herself in good shape before hand. As long as you are making healthy choices for your general health, you will be doing the right thing and you will be rewarded for your efforts. The truth is, the older you get the more the lifestyle choice matters.  When you’re in your 20’s it can be as simple enough thing to get pregnant for some. However. when you’re 38 its quiet a different story. Peak reproductive capacity is a benefit of youth. Women under age 25 years have a 96% chance of conceiving and bearing a child. That figure drops down to 86 % between ages 25 & 34. The odds decrease again for women at age 35 with further drops offs at 38 and again at 42. 

It is important we begin to take care of our bodies and health. Each choice we make in life can impact our fertility further down the track. Be mindful of your choices. Begin to plant that healthy seed in your body and watch the changes as the seed grows and as your grow.  Instead of feeling as though your body can no longer support you, you will begin to feel a new sense of love towards your body.  We are all fertile. Sometimes we just need to make the changes to get us there. Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture can help support you on your journey to fertility either naturally or through your IVF cycles.

For Me!

Sometimes the universe just puts in front of us, words we need to hear. It comes in many forms - friends, songs, words...........................This is what i needed today. Remember to smile and laugh!

Pineapple (Bromelain) & Implantation

DID YOU KNOW? 

Using Pineapple & pineapple core can help to assist implantation: Pineapple contains bromelain. Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme that breaks up proteins that inhibit embryo implantation. Consuming a whole pineapple (focusing on the core as it has the highest concentration of Bromelain) during a fertility cycle can be beneficial.

For IVF [in vitro fertilization] cycle: one pineapple core, divided into 5 portions - consume one portion each day, over five days, beginning on the day of your embryo transfer.

Natural cycle: one pineapple core , divided into 5 portions - consume one portion each day, over five days, beginning on the day after ovulation.

Use Organic Pineapple only!

I mention to all my patients to eat Pineapple prior to their IVF Cycle and Natural Fertility! I have found pineapple to contribute to pregnant bellies! 

IS OUR BIOLOGICAL CLOCK TICKING? FERTILITY IN OUR LATER YEARS

 IS OUR BIOLOGICAL CLOCK TICKING?  FERTILITY IN OUR LATER YEARS

There is a vast majority of women trying to conceive in there 40’s. A high percentage of women I see in my clinic are in the mid 40’s. While the statistics can be discouraging, it still doesn’t mean you can’t have a baby.  Did you know, we are born with around 1 to 2 million eggs and by the time we have our first period they are pared back to around 300,000.  At which point they take turns ripening then bursting out of their follicle to be released through ovulation as part of our menstrual cycle. The number of eggs we have left therefore decreases with each menstrual cycle. On average a women ovulates 487 times during her lifetime. To have baby in your 40’s is therefore not impossible. There is a myth that at the age of 35 years the alarm bells go off, “there are fewer oocytes and poorer fertility outcomes”.  However, if we look at the way we treat ourselves it’s a surprise the alarm bells of our ovaries don’t start ringing at age 25. For women that are leaving it a little longer, they need to be educated about their fertility and equipped with the knowledge so they can make the informed decision about having a baby later in life. For some it can be as easy as “let’s have a baby and fall pregnant”. And for others the process can be a little more challenging.   Whilst people can blame it on age, there is a lot more to it other than your chronically age. Age can be a factor, however I see a lot of older women falling pregnant.

It is true and I will be one of the statistics; having a baby later in my life, getting married later and establishing my career. Realistically, if I had the chance I would have had a baby earlier.  That unfortunately is not a choice I currently have. The reality is we are getting married later, forging our careers and pushing off having babies till later in life.  However, I am putting the necessary steps in place to look after my health and my fertility.

Primary care of our health is so important for those who are leaving having children till later in life. For so long now we’ve all heard “you are what you eat, exercise is so important, stress is the underlying cause of some many illnesses”. All of this advertising we constantly keep hearing and seeing rings true.  Advice I offer my patients is all about making lifestyle changes in a holistic fashion. My view is about treating the patient holistically. It’s not just a get pregnant approach. We focus on a healthy pregnancy and healthy person. In doing so, we are creating a fertile, mind, body and soul.

We need to educate women about Fertility. If you are leaving it till a little later in life. Here is some great advice:

• KNOW WHERE YOUR CURRENT FERTILITY IS!!!
• GO AND SEE YOUR GYNAECOLOGIST
• HAVE A PELVIC ULTRASOUND
• HAVE YOUR HORMONES TESTED
• GET YOUR PARTNER TO HAVE A SPERM ANALYSIS

This advice will help you understand where your current fertility is and help you plan for your future. You can take charge of your health and begin to put the steps in required to have a healthy baby.  Even better may avoid having to go down the path of IVF.  At Angea Fertility Clinic we can help you on your path to improving your health and most of all increasing your fertility. 

Brown Rice Congee with Apples and Dates. It's a date!

Brown Rice Congee with Apples and Dates. It's a date!

It's that time of year again and all you want to do is snuggle up in front of an open fire.  During the colder months I can't even imagine beginning my day with a cold breakfast. It sends shivers down my spine just thinking about it.  This brown rice congee is delicious and warm and is the perfect way to start your day.

From 7 am to 11 am, energy flows through the acupuncture meridians (Stomach and Spleen) that are dominated by the Earth element. The Earth element governs our digestive functions in the body. Breakfast is the perfect opportunity to redefine your experience with food. We all must begin our day with Breakfast, I can't stress this enough.  Certain foods and herbs will strengthen your digestive system and Earth element, rather than exhaust it. During the cold winter months, it is a good time to experiment with making congee. Why not try it with grains; millet, quinoa, and amaranth.

2 cups of brown rice
1 to 1 ½ cups apple or pear juice to cover
2 green apples or your favorite kind (sliced thinly)
¾ cup dates (pitted and sliced)
1 teaspoon coconut oil (optional)
1 to 2 tablespoons honey or agave (optional)
A little cinnamon + 1 Cinnamon Stick
Pinch of salt
Filtered water (if needed while cooking)

You can add any fruit and nuts you like.

Place all ingredients in a slow cooker and allow about four hours for it to cook. Check it about every 30 to 45 minutes and add a little filtered water as needed.

Once cooked serve with good quality yoghurt, shredded coconut, nuts and seeds, chia seeds, and fruit and berries if you like

Note: If the congee tastes too sweet next time try using half juice and half filtered water as your liquid to cover and do not add extra sweetener.

Let's get to the Naked Truth

THE NAKED TRUTH

Let's get to the Naked Truth about our fertility. For many I am sure you are asking the same questions. Here is the perfect opportunity to start an open forum and get those questions OUT and INTO the OPEN. I am here to answer any questions you have. Let's get started.

Now is the Time

When ever I feel down or lost for inspiration I turn to the written wisdom of others.

Now is the time to know
That all you do is sacred.
Now, why not consider

A lasting truce with yourself and God.
Now is the time to understand
that all your ideas of right and wrong
Were just a child’s training wheels

To be laid aside
When you can finally live
With Veracity
And love.

Hafiz is a divine envoy
Whom the Beloved
Has written a holy message upon.

My dear, please tell me,
Why do you still
Throw sticks at your heart
And God?

What is it in that sweet voice inside
That incites you to fear?
Now is the time for the world to know
That every thought and action is sacred.

This is the time
For you to deeply compute the impossibility
That there is anything
But Grace.

Now is the season to know
That everything you do
Is sacred. 
      
–Hafiz
Now is the Time