Shere Family Acupuncture Nievé Shere LicAc., Dipl.Ac (NCCAOM)

Acupuncture is a safe and effective therapy that enhances both female and male fertility

Menstruation

For many women, their menstrual cycles can be irregular, painful, and even debilitating.  Pain, of any kind, is your body's way of telling you there is an imbalance. Acupuncture, herbs, and dietary changes, can help you return your cycles back to health as well as provide pain relief. The following are some of the conditions/symptoms that acupuncture effectively treats:

• Dysmenorrhea (pain during period)
• PCOS
• Amenorrhea
• Bloating, gas
• Painful breast swelling
• irritability, emotional instability

Fertility

Many women have spent most of their adult lives trying to avoid pregnancy, now when they want to get pregnant, they are finding it more difficult than they ever imagined. Acupuncture, combined with herbs, nutrition and lifestyle guidance can balance conditions that may impede conception. Clinical studies show that Acupuncture enhances fertility by more than 50% and can increase the efficacy of assisted reproductive therapies such as IUI and IVF by 40-60%.

Below are a number of ways Chinese Medicine can help to enhance fertility and increase the efficacy of IUI/IVF: 

• Improve the function of the ovaries to produce better quality eggs
• Regulate hormones to produce a larger number of follicles
• Increase blood flow to the uterus and increase the thickness of the lining of the uterus
• Enhance relaxation and decrease stress
• Prevent the uterus from contracting (this is a holding treatment typically done post-transfer)
• Lessen the side effects of drugs used in IVF
• Strengthen the immune system
• Improve quality and quantity of semen to create stronger embryos
• Decrease chances of miscarriage

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time filled with magic and wonderment and when we are less inclined to take medication.  Acupuncture during pregnancy is an extremely safe therapy throughout all stages of pregnancy and an effective natural method to treat a range of symptoms, including the following: 

• Nausea/vomiting
• Heartburn
• Sciatica
• Pain
• Insomnia
• Anxiety/restlessness
• Headaches

Birth

Acupuncture is a powerful yet safe way to assist the birthing process. By stimulating and regulating hormones, such as oxytocin, acupuncture can be used to:

• encourage labor
• dilate the cervix
• stimulate,  strengthen and regulate contractions
• increase blood flow to the uterus 
• encourage baby to descend
• turn breech or malpositions
• ease pain

Postpartum  

Postpartum is often overlooked and under appreciated. Plenty of time should be given for rest and recovery. Birth is exhausting and can leave a new mother blood deficient. Acupuncture, herbs, proper dietary changes, and of course plenty of rest can restore lost nutrients and blood. 

 

Babies born with the help of a doula. 

Babies born in 2010 at Mother Health International Birth center in Haiti ~2010

Mother receiving acupuncture while breastfeeding ~ 2010

Pregnancy achieved with the help of acupuncture ~ 2013