Pre-conceptional Care
Having a family is one of the most enriching experiences a couple can have. However an increasing number of couples are finding that they are struggling to conceive.
As women we spend years of our lives trying not to get pregnant, only to find that when we try and reverse this it doesn’t happen so easily! This is especially difficult when those around us are falling pregnant, seemingly effortlessly.
But did you know that a healthy couple below the age of 35 has a 25% chance of falling pregnant each month, so only about 50% of all couples trying will fall pregnant in the first 6 months, about 80% in a year and about 90% in 2 years which means that, even with nothing wrong with either of you, it can sometimes take 18 months to 2 years to get pregnant.
Over the age 35 and the length of time can be longer. However, It is recommended that you see your GP if you are under 35 and have been trying unsuccessfully for a year and over 35 within 6 months for medical tests and diagnosis. These can happily sit along side your preconception preparations. If a medical problem is found you are in a then in a great place to start your treatments.
Age isn’t the only factor. Our fertility is a very complex thing and everything from diet, lifestyle, medical history, environmental and occupational hazards and especially stress, plays a part. The good news is a lot of these factors can be in your control.
1 in 7 couples may have difficulty conceiving - and 40 % of these will involve a male fertility issue*
So you can see that pre-conceptual care is extremely important and Reproductive Reflexology works in a number of ways to enhance fertility by aiming to correct any cycle irregularities (in ladies), hormonal imbalances, improve physical conditions and manage stress levels in both partners. Important in men especially as it takes sperm takes 90-100 days to grow and fully develop. Its been shown that 50% of fertility problems are due to the quality of the mans sperm and that sperm counts have drastically dropped in the past 50 years.
A French study of 26,600 healthy men showed that between 1989-2005 sperm counts fell from 73.6m/ml to 49.9m/ml -British Medical Journal*
As I mention on my Maternity page, Stress can be a large factor in not falling pregnant. It is not unreasonable to suggest that stress may affect your chances of getting pregnant. Its understood that Cortisol (a hormone released in response to stress) can cause the release an inhibiting hormone that reduces the production of follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) and Luteinising hormone. Both of these hormones are necessary to the release of the egg and the implantation of the embryo after fertilisation. Cortisol also block your bodies ability to use Progesterone as they compete for the same hormone receptors. Progesterone is required in the Luteal phase to sustain the womb lining in the first few weeks, long enough for pregnancy to establish. In other words, being stressed may lower your chances of a successful pregnancy.
There are often complex and emotional factors that may be affecting both your fertility. Let Reflexology re-address the Stress!
To read a recent article on The Association of Reproductive Reflexology please visit Positive Health Magazine May 2016.
Stress correlates with Infertilty. Infertility compounds Stress. Stress in Males leads to a reduction in Testosterone and Lutenizing Hormone which disrupts sperm production. In females stress has been shown to decrease the probability of conception each day throughout the fertile window*
Assisted Conception
If you have been given a defined diagnosis by your doctor and are offered treatment, you will probably want to go ahead with it. Reflexology will not interfere with medical treatments and if stress is reduced and wellbeing increased then medical procedures will feel much easier. In fact, Reproductive Reflexology works in conjunction with conventional treatments such as Clomid, with fully medicated cycles of IUI, IVF, ICSI as well as with Donor eggs. Boosting chances of success by using the clients body mechanisms
As a member of the Association of Reproductive Reflexologists I have been specially trained to work alongside medicated cycles using treatment protocols that we believe work to enhance the medications efficacy.
I am happy treating couples at any stage of their journey to parenthood, whether it be boosting their general health before trying to conceive, helping if they are experiencing problems in getting or staying pregnant. Plus those who have been given a medical diagnosis and are journeying down the assisted conception route.
Treatment Plans
Each treatment is tailored to the individuals as every couple is different. The initial consultation with both partners is where the full fertility history of both parties will be noted and any tests results discussed. A treatment plan will be put in place. The initial consultation normally takes about 60 minutes. All treatment plans are different but Male clients can expect to initially need 8 weekly appointments and depending on the woman’s cycle weekly appointments for the first 8 weeks and fortnightly after that.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions at all.
Please click to link to watch a video on Reflexology Support for Fertility.
