The Natural Fertility Centre

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, 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.

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 childless couples.  Read more …

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 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.

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.

A Scottish couple have become parents despite being told the man had a zero sperm count.  Keith Armstrong-Pringle underwent a special surgical procedure at the Glasgow Centre for Reproductive Medicine. 

New research by Canadian scientists shows that the risk of miscarriage is doubled with the use of ibuprofen in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.  This is something the Natural Fertility Centre has been telling women about for the last few years and indeed we also advise women who are trying to conceive to avoid ibuprofen.  It’s good to see that this study has brought wider press coverage to this issue.

The Glasgow branch of the Natural Fertility Centre is holding a free event on Friday 14th October from 6pm to 8pm at Napiers, 61 Cresswell St (2 minutes from Hillhead Underground Station).  Come along and have a chat with the team and find out about our natural approach to fertility and the supportive role of complementary therapies in IVF and conception.  Free taster sessions will be available.

For more information contact Dorothy Reynolds on 0792 9288706.