Vipariti Karani is a
restorative and relaxing posture. This asana is known as ‘inverted lake’ and is
based on the belief that the blood and hormones circulate better through the
body when it is inverted. It allows the pelvis to be above the heart and pools
the energy like a lake in the pelvis, calming the heart and mind. For this
reason, this posture is great to do after having sex. It allows blood to flow
to our reproductive organs and calms our central nervous system, inducing our
relaxation response along with restoring our body. This posture is beneficial
during your IVF cycle when under going ovarian stimulation. It helps alleviate
bloating and distension. I advise my my patients to this posture both during an
IVF cycle, after egg retrieval and of course after ovulation.
Place a bolster/block or rolled up yoga mat
against the wall. To prepare sit sideways to the wall, and swing your
legs up
the wall so you are in an “L” Shape with your back on the floor and legs
up the
wall. Lower your back to the
ground; use your hands to push your buttocks and legs as close to the
wall as
possible. When you are in the final pose your legs should be up against
the
wall. Your lower back/sacrum resting on the prop. Flex your feet and
place your
hands on your womb space.
In recent studies, it
has been shown that women having IVF treatment can boost their chances of
falling pregnant by 65 per cent simply by having acupuncture. A review combining the results of seven previous
studies has found that acupuncture also increases the chances of having an
ongoing pregnancy (beyond 12 weeks from gestation) by 87 per cent -- and nearly
doubles the chance of a successful live birth, increasing that by 91 per cent.If you’re new
to the fertility process some of this information may be new to you.
With natural conception acupuncture
can:
Regulate the Menses: works by regulating our hormones and menstrual cycle.
Controlling irregular menstruation can enable couples to better predict the
time of ovulation.
Increase
Uterine Lining:It increases blood flow to the uterus,
resulting in a thicker healthier uterine lining. I have seen dramatic
improvements with acupuncture and herbal therapy in treating thin endometrial
lining.
Improve
Sperm:Separate studies have shown that acupuncture can increase
sperm count and sperm motility.
Prevents
Miscarriage: Particular herbal formulas and acupuncture
treatments are known to help secure a growing embryo and prevent a miscarriage.
Acupuncture & IVF
In conjunction with in-vitro fertilization
(IVF), acupuncture may help:
Regulate hormones: Women’s hormones must fall within a desired range to continue with
treatment. Acupuncture helps regulate your hormones.
Increase number of follicles and improve
egg quality:Obtaining good quality eggs is the
most important factor and desired outcome. Specific points help stimulate our
ovaries and build endometrial lining.
Increases changes of Implantation:Acupuncture helps creates a receptive environment for the embryo to
implant. As mentioned earlier in the study it increases your chances of falling
pregnant by 65%.
Relieves stress:Acupuncture has been shown to increase beta-endorphins “happy
hormones” in the blood thereby reducing stress levels.
At Angea Fertility Clinic our Practitioners support you during your Natural Fertility and IVF journey. To contact our clinic please call 9510 3700 or email info@angea.com.au
The breath plays an important role and has
a powerful influence over our physiological and psychological
well-being. Breathing is something we don’t pay a great deal of attention too.
In fact, its is an unconscious response we do naturally. What I teach my
patients is conscious breathing and conscious awareness; it is a form of mindfulness.
Have you ever noticed when in a stressful
situation that your heart rate increases, your breathing becomes more shallow
or labored. This is our body going into what we call the “Flight or fight”
response. All you can think is, how can I get out of this situation. Your head
is screaming, “run”. In this heightened state our body begins to produce the
stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol is well known for its impact on fertility.
Stress reduces the changes of conceiving with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
according to recent studies.
Different types of breathing patterns have
distinct physiological effects. When we connect to conscious breath, it
triggers the physiological response of rest and digest. Everything in the body
begins to slow down; our heart rate, our mind, our breathing becomes deeper and
consciously we begin to connect into our body. Suddenly, we notice we are in a
more relaxed state.
The breath we want to promote in fertility
is the belly breath. Slow deep rhythmic abdominal breathing. Belly breathing
stimulates our vagus nerve, which controls important body functions such as
respiration and digestion and sends sensory information to the brain.Using this breath shifts the hormonal
milieu in the body from “flight or fight” to “rest, digest and nest”.
Close your eyes and focus on breath. Begin
to identify your breathing pattern. Are you holding tension in your shoulders,
back and neck? Is your belly moving?
If you’re not using belly breath, try this
exercise/
Lie down on the floor with legs extended.
Place your right hand on your heart and left hand on your lower
belly
Close your eyes and begin to breath in and out of your nose.
As you inhale feel your belly expand. Breath into your belly
As you exhale, feel your belly contract, gently drawing belly
to spine.