Fertility & Pregnancy

 

Our Approach

We provide a safe, compassionate and nurturing environment for healing and fertility support.

We understand that growing a family is undoubtedly one of the most incredible experiences of a woman’s life. It is a journey that starts well before actual conception, and is unique to each woman who undergoes it. We offer treatments that help to provide vital sustenance for you and future baby’s health and well-being.

We work with patients that are trying to conceive naturally as well as with individuals/couples who are seeking help through Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). We work closely with western physicians, including reproductive endocrinologists (REs), and we consult with a network of excellent health care practitioners who understand fertility issues.

The first visit with us is a virtual consultation. During this telemedicine visit, we will listen to your needs and goals. We do a thorough intake, looking at your health history as well as your daily life. From there, we thoughtfully create a customized treatment plan. Our focus is on promoting a balanced state that is conducive to a healthy conception, pregnancy and postpartum experience.

We have experienced first-hand how strongly Whole Systems Chinese Medicine can positively influence the reproductive and endocrine systems and have had the pleasure of helping thousands of couples achieve healthy pregnancies.

Explore

Fertility

Tending to the soil before you plant the seed

Many women/couples wait to explore acupuncture and Chinese medicine until after they have already been trying for several months. While starting acupuncture at any point is still beneficial, we recommend at least three months of preparation to increase chances of a healthy pregnancy.

    • Improve the function of the ovaries to produce higher quality eggs

    • Regulate menstrual cycles

    • Regulate the hormones to produce a larger number of follicles

    • Increase blood flow to the uterus and increase the thickness of the uterine lining

    • Relax and de-stress —so your body is a safe, cozy place for a baby to grow

    • Strengthen the immune system/Increase energy

    • Increase chance of conceiving

    • Enhance the chances of successful implantation

    • Decrease chance of miscarriage

    • Improve quality of sleep and increase energy

    • Elevated follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

    • Repeated pregnancy loss

    • Unexplained (idiopathic) infertility

    • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

    • Amenorrhea

    • Endometriosis

    • Ovarian cysts & Uterine Fibroids

    • Irregular and anovulatory menstrual cycles

    • Luteal phase defect (LPD)

    • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

    • Premature ovarian failure (POF)

    • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

    • Stress

    • Poor egg quality

    • Advanced maternal age

    • Thin, unresponsive endometrium

    • Almost any type of fertility disorder including spasmed tubes.

    • (Spasmed tubes are often relaxed with acupuncture, though blocked tubes will not respond to acupuncture).

 

Male Fertility

Offering healing to our partners

Infertility affects both men and women in equal proportion. Male infertility accounts for 40-50% of infertility cases, and is commonly due to low sperm production, misshapen or immobile sperm, or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm. Our treatment protocol focuses on balancing overall health and wellbeing to improve semen quality.

    • Significantly increase sperm production

    • Increase the percentage of healthy sperm

    • Improve sperm movement (motility)

    • Improve the levels of hormones responsible for fertility

    • Improve sperm morphology and reduce sperm DNA fragmentation

    • Increase the rate of pregnancy

 

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)

Many couples today are employing the assisted reproductive therapies of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI). The addition of Chinese medicine to these therapies greatly improves the success of a pregnancy.

    • Improve the lining of the uterus

    • Improve the quality and quantity of follicles (120 days)

    • Significantly reduce stress associated with the cycle

    • Decrease the chance of miscarriage

    • Prevent uterine contraction post IVF embryo transfer

    • Reduce the side-effects of IVF medications

    • Improve male factor — volume, motility and morphology (120 days)

 

Pregnancy

Providing guidance through the journey of growth and birth

Once you are pregnant, acupuncture and Whole Systems Chinese Medicine can help in big and small ways. Research has shown that patients who have regular visits with a healthcare specialist, or supportive care, have significantly better outcomes in their pregnancy.

    • Lower risk of miscarriage

    • Facilitate fewer and lesser side effects of pregnancy

    • Support intrauterine development

    • Maintain healthy blood pressure

    • Prevent lack of amniotic fluid, pre-term labor, hemorrhaging, and breech presentation

    • Ease labor and delivery

 

Common occurrences during pregnancy treated at Nest

    • Extreme tiredness

    • Tender, swollen breasts

    • Upset stomach or nausea with or without throwing up (morning sickness)

    • Cravings or aversions for certain foods

    • Mood swings / anxiety

    • Constipation (sluggish or difficult bowel movements)

    • Need to pass urine more often

    • Headache

    • Heartburn

    • Weight gain or loss

    • Body aches, such as back, abdomen, groin, or thigh pain

    • Numb or tingling hands, called carpal tunnel syndrome

    • Itching on the abdomen, palms, and soles of the feet. (Call your doctor if you have nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice or fatigue combined with itching.)

    • Swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face. (If you notice any sudden or extreme swelling or if you gain a lot of weight really quickly, call your doctor right away. This could be a sign of preeclampsia.)

    • Shortness of breath

    • Heartburn

    • Breech or Posterior presentation

    • Swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face. (If you notice any sudden or extreme swelling or if you gain a lot of weight really quickly, call your doctor right away. This could be a sign of preeclampsia.)

    • Hemorrhoids

    • Trouble sleeping

Third Trimester Support

Bringing your little one(s) into the world

Pre-birth support is offered to help troubleshoot any issues that may arise during this last part of your pregnancy journey. We are trained to help guide through this transitional time, emotionally and physically. We will use a variety of modalities ranging from acupuncture, moxibustion, or massage, as well as provide you with self-care tools to manage your care at home.

  • Reduce stress and anxiety

    Facilitate quick labor

    Decrease pain

    . 

  • Our recommendation is for weekly acupuncture visits, particularly around the 34th week of pregnancy through your due date. Labor preparation has been revealed to be a proactive tool for patients who have breech or posterior babies, twins, or who are simply hoping to create an easier transition to labor and delivery, regardless of whether they are delivering naturally or via cesarean section.

  • If you are nearing your due date and feel like your baby might need a little extra help making his/her debut, we can help. Many women are told that they will be induced by a certain date if they have not gone into labor on their own, so we encourage labor with acupuncture in order to avoid use of other interventions and to facilitate an easier birthing experience. Chinese Medicine can also help with labor encouragement post due date.

Postpartum

Promoting restoration for Mothers

The restoration of a new mother’s health is imperative for her own well-being and for her ability to be present for her newborn. After labor, acupuncture is a wonderful, safe and effective way to help a woman’s body heal and re-balance. We also provide nutrition and lifestyle counseling for new moms.

    • Fatigue

    • Postpartum depression

    • Mastitis

    • Insufficient or excessive lactation

    • Perineal healing

    • Post-operative healing from cesarean section

    • Increasing energy and better sleep

    • Support emotional wellbeing to boost and quell anxiety and depression

    • Support healthy lactation

    • Support post surgical healing

General FAQs

  • Regular acupuncture treatments can improve egg quality, ovulation rates and support uterine lining quality and successful implantation. Acupuncture also lowers cortisol levels which has a positive effect on your reproductive hormones. Additionally, acupuncture promotes blood circulation to the reproductive organs and calms the nervous system to promote our innate ability to regulate and heal our bodies.

  • We typically tell patients that it may take up to three months to see significant hormonal shifts, though some patients report positive changes right away. You may notice that your energy levels improve, sleep and digestion are better, and you may notice that you’re less stressed overall. Our patients report that their overall menstrual cycle improves, with reduction in PMS, cramping, bloating, acne, and overall mood.

  • Preconception: We recommend treatment starting at least three months before conception takes place; 1-2 x/week, is ideal.

    Acupuncture w/ ART: Start 2-3 months prior. 1-2 sessions/week until stimulation cycle; at that time 2 x/week.

    Why three months is important: It takes about 90-150 days for an egg to grow from a follicle in its resting state to a full blown egg ready to be released. Most women know how long it takes for an egg to develop, be released (ovulation), travel to the uterus, and then either be fertilized or be sloughed off in the process of menstruation. This cycle usually takes about 25-31 days for most women. But actually it takes more like three months for the egg to mature and that is why we want to spend at least three months helping to create healthy, quality follicles, balance hormones and get the body as a whole in the best condition for conception to occur.

    In this stage and beyond, TCM will provide a baseline support to increase endorphins, reduce stress, induce relaxation and strengthen the immune system to ensure your overall health and well-being are at their optimal so your body, mind and spirit can do best what they are meant to do. TCM will also reduce side effects from hormonal treatments for those women who have undergone Assisted Reproductive Therapies (ART).

  • Yes! We usually recommend that once patients are pregnant, they continue to come once a week through their first trimester to support the pregnancy and help with any of the common symptoms associated with early pregnancy. We've found great success using acupuncture for treating the insomnia and nausea that often comes in the first trimester.

  • 1st trimester (week 1-13): Once per week.

    2nd trimester (week 14-28): Bi-weekly to monthly (or as needed)

    3rd trimester (week 29-the arrival of your baby): Once per week.

  • We recommend eating a light meal/snack before coming in for treatment. You can wear loose/comfortable clothing, though we will always offer a cozy blanket to cover you if you prefer to undress.

    While you are relaxing with the needles in we create a serene spa like environment with soothing music, infrared heats lamps and heated tables to promote deep relaxation and even deeper healing. This is your time to quiet your mind and rest, so we recommend leaving your cell phone in your purse and letting go of the day’s stressors.

    Acupuncture promotes a feeling of calmness and we want that to last as long as possible. Stay hydrated and refrain from rigorous exercise for a few hours after your treatment.