The Natural Fertility Centre

Where acupuncture pricks the brain

fertility — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:44:41 +0000

Interesting research has been carried out in Germany showing how the brain is affected during acupuncture.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month

fertility — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:16:45 +0000

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month

Read more about how to spot endometriosis and what Endometriosis UK is up to.

Ovarian stem cells discovered in humans

fertility — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:25:26 +0000

Harvard Medical School scientists have discovered stem cells in the human ovary. An article in New Scientist magazine about Professor Jonathan Tilly’s work explains that this means that “women may not be born with a limited number of eggs after all. The discovery of stem cells tucked away in human ovaries suggests that new eggs are actually produced throughout life. The finding could pave the way for new fertility treatments.”

Professor Richard Fleming, Scientific Director of the Glasgow Centre for Reproductive Medicine, explains that the “cells that make the eggs in the second trimester of pregnancy progress into this latent form (or leave behind cells that can be re-programmed to make more eggs). It was previously thought that they just died off. And it shows what one man’s determination can bring about – other scientists were sceptical when Tilly first suggested that it may work. I would say that progress will be made – but in reality, clinical applications will be some time off.”

Edinburgh branch moving

fertility — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:42:16 +0000

From Monday 5th March 2012 the Stockbridge branch of Napiers will be closed and all The Natural Fertility Centre practitioners will be moving to the other Edinburgh branch at 18 Bristo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 1EZ. Appointments can be booked on … Continue reading →

Study – acupuncture’s effects isn’t just psychological

fertility — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:56:34 +0000

A study carried out in Germany demonstrates that the effect of acupuncture is not just down to its placebo effect. Researchers believe the study shows that acupuncture does not only work on a psychological level, but that is also has a direct ‘dampening’ effect on the brain’s pain processing centres. Dr Nina Theysohn, who presented the research in Chicago at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, said: “Activation of brain areas involved in pain perception was significantly reduced or modulated under acupuncture.”

Deirdre Armstrong, Fertility Coach, starts new Glasgow clinic

fertility — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:18:00 +0000

Deirdre Armstrong, experienced Fertility Coach with years of experience working with hundreds of couples, is coming to Glasgow to share her expertise on Sundays in the New Year.

The sessions Deirdre is offering are suitable for couples at all stages:

if you have just started trying or are thinking of getting pregnant in the near future;
if you have have been trying for a while but would benefit from some advice;
if you who have been trying for some time and are considering IVF or indeed have already tried it.

Appointments are available for patients who have had treatment at Cresswell St before and for women / couples who are new to the fertility clinic.

Deirdre offers a detailed fertility assessment and will help you put together a treatment plan for other therapies that may help including acupuncture, nutritional therapy, herbal medicine, reflexology or hypnotherapy. In addition Deirdre is able to advise about when is the right time to seek assisted conception help and can talk you thorugh the available options at IVF clinics.

For your appointment with Deirdre you may choose whether to have:

assessment alone, which takes 45 minutes and costs £45;
combined assessment / conception coaching session which takes 90 minutes and is available at a special reduced price of £75
clinics are on Sunday 29th January, Sunday 26th February and Sunday 25th March
call 0131 315 2130 to book an appointment
or ring Deirdre on 07962 442074 if you would like to chat before booking in

Deirdre’s strength is her supportive approach, combined with a wealth of knowledge about getting pregnant. Sessions are unhurried and there is plenty of time to talk and ask questions. Many of her clients start daunted or overwhelmed but quickly gain confidence from her positive and calm style.

Egg donor compensation to increase

fertility — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:38:37 +0000

The Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority has agreed to triple the compensation given to women who donate eggs to help infertile couples to have a child. It is hoped that this will encourage more donors to come forward to help … Continue reading →

New research on diet and male fertility

fertility — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:04:32 +0000

We are often dismayed when patients tell us that their doctors have said there is nothing they can do to improve male fertility. So we are really pleased to hear about this new high quality research on the links between a healthy diet and sperm quality. Scientists from Harvard have shown that “specifically, a healthy diet composed of a higher intake of fish, fresh fruit, whole grains, legumes and vegetables seems to improve sperm motility… which means a higher number of sperm actually move around, rather than sit still.’ Find out more …

New research on electro-acupuncture

fertility — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 09:13:50 +0000

New research on the use of electro-acupuncture during IVF published in the prestigious Fertility and Sterility journal has showed that it “significantly improved the clinical outcome of embryo transfer”. The live birth rate for women who did not receive the acupuncture was 21.2% and for those who did was 42%. There were 309 patients in the randomised placebo controlled study. Our acupuncturists here at the Natural Fertility Centre are very experienced at using this method. Read more about our IVF support package.

Co-enzymeQ10 may have an affect on quality of eggs

fertility — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 17:58:35 +0000

Canadian scientists are talking about the research they have carried out on co-enzyme Q10, a powerful anti-oxidant which is important for energy production. Their work on mice showed that adding the enzyme made older mice produce more and healthier eggs. The doctors from the Toronto Centre for Advanced Reproductive Technology are now preparing to test the supplement on women 35 and older undergoing fertility treatments.