The current shelter-in-place order has brought normal life to a halt, including the closure of many businesses and delay of any medical treatment considered non-essential. This has affected patients receiving Chinese medical treatment for fertility, since they can no longer come for their weekly acupuncture treatments. Also, new treatment cycles of ART (Assistive Reproductive Technology) at fertility clinics have been put on hold. If your plans to get pregnant have been impacted, we offer you our heartfelt compassion and hope this post can provide some solace. The practitioners at DHH are still here to accompany you on your fertility journey and here’s how.
Telehealth Visits
One excellent way that we can currently provide care is through telehealth visits. While you may be used to coming into the clinic in person to receive acupuncture, there are many other ways that we can support you in restoring harmony to the body. During a telehealth visit, we will check in about nutrition, lifestyle and your custom herbal and supplement prescription. In an extended session, there is also time for guided self-care which may include acupressure, moxibustion, gua sha, qi gong, meditation and more. Trying to conceive can be an emotional roller coaster. We are also here to lend a listening ear, ground you with wisdom and cheer you on.
At-home Practices
While you’re away from the clinic, you can cultivate fertility with the following home practices. Note that these are focused on female fertility. See the list at the bottom for blog posts on male fertility.
Fertility Charting
Perhaps you’ve heard of it but haven’t yet taken it on. Well, now is the perfect time! Basal body temperature (BBT) charting consists of tracking your core body temperature first thing in the morning every day for at least a month. When you also note changes in cervical mucus, this is called fertility charting. This practice will help answer some key questions about your cycle such as “Am I ovulating?” and “When is my fertile window?” See my blog post The Ins and Outs of Fertility Charting for FAQs.
Femoral Artery Massage
This simple practice can be done twice daily during your follicular phase (last day of your period until ovulation) to increase blood flow to the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus. During the massage, the femoral artery is compressed, creating a backflow of oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood into the reproductive organs. Don’t perform the massage when you are menstruating or if you could be pregnant. Watch an instructional video here.
Restoring Fertility Yoga
The Restoring Fertility Yoga series integrates yoga asanas with traditional Chinese medical theory to optimize fertility. The series has four classes, one each for the menstrual, follicular, ovulatory and luteal phases of your cycle. You can conveniently stream it at home.
Circle & Bloom Meditation
Created by a woman who had her own fertility challenges, the Circle & Bloom meditation series is relaxing, educational and inspiring. You can choose a program specific to your circumstance whether you’re trying to conceive with a natural cycle or with IUI (intra-uterine insemination) or IVF (in-vitro fertilization) in a future cycle. There are also programs specific to PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), frozen embryo transfer, egg donation and male fertility. Each day of the cycle has a unique meditation and the sessions only take about 15 minutes. Envisioning successful fertilization and implantation in your mind’s eye is a crucial step towards achieving them. Try the free fertility meditation to get a taste.
More Fertility Resources on our Blog
This is a great time to catch up on other DHH blog posts on cultivating fertility:
Optimize Your Chances of Getting Pregnant
Optimize Your Fertility: Essential Tips
Enhance Fertility and Support a Healthy Pregnancy with These 3 Amazing Books
Nutritional Insights for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
The Ins and Outs of Fertility Charting
Chinese Medicine for Male Fertility
Maximize Your Mojo: Avoid Foes of Male Fertility
We hope this unique time allows you to explore self-care, experience a telemedicine acupuncture visit, get some extra rest, eat home-cooked meals and spend special time with loved ones. All of these will make it a fertile spring!