Fertility

Maximise your chances with our specialist fertility service. Click for Pregnancy

Deb and Al specialise in treating fertility with acupuncture. We offer acupuncture for natural conception as well as alongside IVF. We also provide you with advice about lifestyle and diet, so you can be sure you are maximising your chances. As trying for a baby can often have it’s stressful moments, we regularly combine fertility acupuncture with acupuncture for stress to help you relax . In this way you can focus your energy on a positive outcome, rather than worrying.  Many of our patients find this aspect of treatment extremely valuable. We regularly treat men, women and couples.

”I found it very calming during the IVF treatment…  I’m now 14 weeks pregnant and enjoying my fortnightly acupuncture sessions. I’d recommend it without hesitation.”  –Diana, 40, Communications Manager

Acupuncture may help to:

• regulate the menstrual cycle and promote regular ovulation
• regulate the hormones to produce a larger number of follicles
• improve the functions of ovaries to produce better quality eggs
• enhance the vitality of sperm
• relieve the side effects of drugs used in IVF
• increase the thickness of the uterine lining so to encourage successful implantation
• reduce the chance of miscarriage

(From the British Acupuncture Council)

”I believe that acupuncture helped me immensely with the psychological pain of miscarriage, infertility, reducing stress, and keeping my hope of having a baby alive. Thanks Deb and Al”.- Louise, 32, Solicitor (and now a Mother)

Men – improving your Sperm

It takes two to make a baby! There is evidence to show that acupuncture can improve the quality and quantity of a man’s sperm. Studies show improvements to all factors – sperm count, movement  and shape. Lifestyle changes can also help a lot. Many of the men  we see are working too hard and are unaware of how high their stress levels are.

Stress Reduction

Most people people find that acupuncture is relaxing and helps you deal with stress, which in turn helps with your fertility. We are very experienced in helping to reduce stress with acupuncture.

Lifestyle

Acupuncture is central to our treatment. However we take a 360 degree approach which acknowledges that all aspects of your life have an effect on your health and wellbeing. We offer lifestyle and dietary advice which can make a big difference to your fertility. Moxibustion and cupping may also be used alongside acupuncture treatment.

Timing

Plan ahead. The ideal time to begin acupuncture is three months before conception or an IVF cycle. This will ensure that your eggs and sperm are at the  best quality they can be, as both egg and sperm take around 90 days  to mature. Do not worry though if you have missed the 90 day mark. There is good evidence to show that acupuncture, later in the process,will still improve your chances.

”I have no doubt that acupuncture was an important factor in my becoming pregnant. I have just seen Al for an induction treatment now that I am overdue, and again feel much better than before I went in. Fingers crossed! Thank you.”–Katy, 34, Head of Communications

Support through pregnancy

We can offer support through your pregnancy. Treatment in pregnancy may be especially helpful if you have concerns about miscarriage, have morning sickness, or other problems during pregnancy such as tiredness , oedema, constipation,  dizziness or anxiety. Some women also have treatment so as to stay in their best state of health during pregnancy.

Clinics

We practice at 3 clinics throughout Bristol, two in South Bristol, in the Southville/Bedminster area, and another in North Bristol, on the Gloucester Rd. in Bishopston: See locations

”I started seeing Al for fertility support. Not knowing what to expect, I have been surprised and delighted… ” -Lauren, 41, Digital Producer

Research and Evidence

We like to give people the facts on acupuncture. There is a substantial amount of research on acupuncture and IVF. There is lots of research from China (where the majority of acupuncture takes place) on acupuncture and non-IVF fertitlity, less in the West. The links below are to The British Acupuncture Council who have a duty to represent all information in a fair and neutral way.

Acupuncture and IVF     Acupuncture and Women’s Fertility     Acupuncture and Men’s Fertility

More testimonials:

Caroline, 39, Clinical Psychologist

I really believe that the acupuncture I had with Al helped me to get pregnant. I am very grateful. He also helped me greatly through the struggle that the first few months of pregnancy can be – tiredness and sickness for me. Al has a very calm, reassuring approach. I would highly recommend him..

Carla, 37, Learning Mentor

Acupuncture ha been really great. My partner and I had been trying for a baby for 5 years. My friend recommended Al. The first thing he did was tell me I was doing all the right thingswhich helped me to feel really positive. I had fortnightly appointments and am now 13 weeks pregnant. I have been lucky to have minimal symptoms which I am sure is to do with the acupuncture treatment. Al gave me lots of lifestyle tips, and I was under no pressure to have more appointments..

Samantha, 35, NGO Worker

I found acupuncturereally helpful in a number of ways. Before starting I was anxious and frustrated that I had not become pregnant, but as soon as I started I felt calmer and felt that my body was functioning more effectively. I believe this really helped me concieve. I continued throughout the first trimester and found it made a difference to pregnancy symptoms and helped with anxiety about the pregnancy.Al has been really reassuring throughoutthe whole process and I always felt i was in good hands..