Is IVF the only solution to infertility?
When a couple passes through the grief, uncertainty and stress of infertility, it can feel like being inside a constantly boiling pot of emotions.
These days IVF may be considered even before assessing the prospective parent’s health. The solution may simply be about getting natural vitality back; there may be no need for all the chemicals and surgical assistance.
Sometimes there is a structural barrier between egg and sperm, and IVF is totally appropriate.
But there is a problem…
According to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, the average IVF success rate is around 30%. So are you maybe now thinking of your friends that have passed through multiple rounds of IVF without pregnancy, and wondering why it didn’t work?
The message I would like to send out to couples looking into IVF:
Even when IVF is the right solution, it is important to optimize the whole functionality of the reproductive system well before any medical procedure or insemination period.
Ask yourself, would an athlete go to the Olympic Games without training and preparation? I bet the answer is no.
So why would you put your body into a physically stressful scenario (sometimes not only once) with no preparation?
Whatever the cause of infertility is, it is a sign of something not working in the body as it should. Here are a few examples:
Your period is the mirror of your reproductive health: is it painful? Is it longer than 5 days? Is it shorter than 5 days? Do you have a spot before or after? Are there blood clots?
Body structure determines organ function: Have you had an accident? Did you break your tailbone? Do you have pain in the lower back during menses?
Do you have any scars?
Is your belly cold? Are your outer thighs cold? Do you find yourself putting your feet out of the bedding during the night? Can you sleep properly?
And what about the father? (because we need 1 egg cell and 1 sperm cell):
Is the sperm quality good? If it's not, we have something to deal with. IVF is also dependent on sperm quality to work. The good news is that this can increase dramatically when general health and vitality are improved.
Do you have digestive issues? Are you constipated?
Do you sleep?
Do you smoke, drink, or skip breakfast?
So what to do?
You need to restore good health. You need to help the body to get rid of anything that is blocking its natural functions so that you both have a healthy body that:
- allows the five systems (venous, arterial, lymphatic, nervous and energetic) to flow properly so the issues above are not a concern.
- creates good quality sperm
- will respond properly to the injection
And because it doesn’t end with getting pregnant:
- will sustain an easy pregnancy
- for an easy birth and postpartum
How do I help couples?
I work with both partners individually to restore the five systems, taking into account your individual health issues and histories. I use abdominal massage techniques involving primarily the abdomen, upper back, sacrum and coccyx.
I teach some helpful basic belly massage techniques, which I recommend doing at home between sessions for a regimen of constant care and regeneration. This also starts to create more connection with our bodies and the bonding that will create a lovely nest for the baby.
I draw on my wealth of experience and may suggest supplementary actions unique to a couple.
It seems like a lot to deal with, but it's simple, doable and will certainly boost the confidence of prospective parents.
If you have any questions or if you'd like to see if this therapy is good for you, you can book a 15-minute free Zoom consultation with me.