Fertility

At Blue Lotus Healing we have a particular interest in working with clients with fertility issues. A more detailed assessment, Chinese Medicine diagnosis and advice can be given according to your individual constitution.

Pre Conception

Doing the groundwork to bring your body and mind to optimal health and fertility is very important.

What you can do:

There is a lot you can do to help improve your chances of conception!

Diet: Eat plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and protein. Avoid chemicals and processed foods. Limit caffeine and alcohol intake.
Supplements: Folic Acid, Vitamins B, C, D, CoQ10, Iron, Iodide, Zinc, & Fish Oils may be beneficial for you.
Weight: If you are overweight or underweight this could be affecting your fertility. Exercise and a balanced diet can help improve your metabolism. If you are underweight increased calories and diet modification can help.
Exercise: Regular exercise will be beneficial on many levels such as energy, sleep, stress, mood and weight. High intensity exercise and overdoing it will place excessive strain on the body and reduce fertility
Sleep: The benefits of getting a good night’s sleep are enormous. Ideally 8-9 hours per night is recommended. Poor sleep or not enough sleep can have adverse effects on hormone regulation, metabolism, weight, stress, energy levels and so on.
Stress/Emotion: Decreasing stress levels, anxiety and depression will help balance hormones, regulate ovulation and improve fertility.
Smoking: Stop now! Smoking reduces fertility and live birth rates.
Toxins and chemicals: Reduce exposure to things such as paint, pesticides, cleaning products etc. as they can affect fertility

IVF Support

With the advent of modern science and increasing infertility rates, many people are now undergoing ART and IVF treatments to help them conceive.

Many health practitioners may recommend acupuncture as an adjunct treatment that may assist with IVF treatment. There is continuing research about how acupuncture can assist with the effectiveness of IVF treatment and you should consult your treating practitioner/s about how acupuncture may be able to help you.

Pregnancy Support

Pregnancy should be a happy and positive experience, however it can often be filled with numerous health complaints.

The first 12 weeks

The body is experiencing a lot of change at this stage of pregnancy and under great pressure. Symptoms such as nausea and morning sickness, fatigue, headaches and lower back pain can be very common. It is important to rest and take care of your body as much as possible during this time.

During this stage it is also important to be aware of the following:

Energy Levels: Do not overwork or push yourself. Take it easy when possible, as this stage is very draining on your system. Avoid being on your feet for extended periods of time, take breaks and keep exercise to a low-moderate intensity. Gentle walking and movement that does not increase your body temperature or heart rate too much is advised. Lower back pain and/or weakness may be a sign that you are overdoing things. Listen to your body, and slow down!

Food and Drinks: AVOID Icy cold food and drinks! They are damaging to your system according to Chinese Medicine. They can weaken the Spleen and Stomach Qi, damage the digestive system and stagnate Qi and Blood flow in the abdomen. This is of particular importance during pregnancy as the Uterus must be warm with a good supply of Qi and Blood to nourish a healthy pregnancy. Drink fluids that are room temperature or warmer. Minimize coffee and avoid alcohol. Choose plain nourishing foods that are easy to digest and avoid those that are rich, greasy or spicy. Avoid raw foods (fish, eggs, meat, soft cheeses). Ensure you have a good protein intake. Small frequent meals may help to reduce nausea.

Body Temperature: HEAT: It is important to avoid overheating through exercise, hot baths or showers and heat packs on your abdominal area. Applying some gentle warmth is fine for abdominal chills or pain. COLD: A warm uterus is required to establish a healthy pregnancy, so it is advisable to avoid icy cold food and drinks, cold baths, swimming and anything else which may cause chills in the abdominal and lower back area.

Abdominal Pain or Bleeding: Slight discomfort and abdominal pain in the early stages of pregnancy is common, however strong sharp, stabbing or bearing down pain is a concern. Small amounts of bleeding or spotting may occur in early pregnancy, however if it becomes heavier this is an issue. Contact your Medical GP or Chinese Medicine Practitioner if you are concerned.

Others: Avoid contact with strong chemicals, toxins and fumes. Avoid sex in the first few weeks of pregnancy.

Healthy Pregnancy

Once the pregnancy moves into the second trimester and is strong and stable it is time to relax and enjoy the experience. Some women may struggle with different symptoms throughout this time also.

Chinese Medicine treatment may be able to help with Pregnancy related musculoskeletal aches and pains, nausea and vomiting. (In accordance with current national law and advertising restrictions these conditions are approved to be mentioned).

Birth

During labour acupressure points can be pressed and stimulated by your partner.

At Blue Lotus Healing we have a particular interest in working with clients with pregnancy issues. A more detailed assessment, Chinese Medicine diagnosis and advice can be given according to your individual constitution.

Post Partum

“in order to treat the child, treat the mother”

Chinese Medicine wisdom emphasizes the importance of the health of the mother after childbirth. The demands of pregnancy and giving birth place tremendous physical and mental strain on the body. Qi (energy) and Blood are lost during labour and must be replenished. It is very important to nourish, strengthen and repair this Qi and Blood, not only for the short-term benefits of producing adequate breast milk, but also for long-term health of the mother, and the possibility of future pregnancies.

In ancient China three months of bed rest for new mothers was typical to ensure full recovery. Family members would tend to day-to-day duties and cook various herbal teas and soups for the new mother during this period of time. However in society these days this is simply not practical in most cases. Lack of support and financial constraints often see new mothers having little time to care for themselves and recover, overdoing things and pushing themselves to the point of exhaustion.

It is important to also create positive health and lifestyle changes to ensure long term health for the entire family.