Fertility and reproductive health in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is depicted as a dynamic process requiring preparation, balance, nourishment and protection. By viewing the body as a garden that needs careful tending, TCM emphasizes a holistic approach addressing both internal and external factors to create the optimal conditions for conception and growth.
Using the analogy of planting a seed to explain the concept of fertility, it can help us better understand how TCM approaches fertility. If you’ve ever tended a plant, you will know the importance of preparing fertile soil before sowing the seeds to ensure a healthy plant growth.
Let’s break it down to understand it in a simple way:
- Preparation of the soil (Nurturing the Body)
Fertility begins with a balanced and healthy body, just like how planting begins with a fertile and well-prepared soil. A healthy body would entail having a regular female menstrual cycle, a balanced lifestyle and good emotional well-being.
- Planting the Seed (Conception)
Planting the seed symbolises the act of conception. As TCM practitioners, we believe that successful conception depends on both the quality of the seed (egg and sperm) and the soil (the body’s readiness).
- Nurturing the Growth (Support Pregnancy)
After the seed is planted, continuous care is needed to ensure that it grows into a healthy plant. In the context of a pregnancy support, it may involve making lifestyle and dietary adjustments.
- Weeding and Protection (Managing Factors)
Weeding and protecting the plant from pests and diseases are important to ensure the plant’s health. Likewise, managing factors like stress, toxins and lifestyle choices are vital for pregnancy in TCM. Removing negative influences regularly and protecting the body from harm ensures a supportive environment for the growth of the baby.
- Harvest (Childbirth)
The goal of planting a seed is to grow a healthy plant. Similarly, the goal of conception is to have a healthy baby. This is also the objective of our TCM fertility programme, i.e. to achieve a healthy pregnancy and childbirth.
How can we help?
At Harmonizing TCM clinic, our fertility support programme’s objectives are to increase the chances of conception and a healthy childbirth. We also help ensure the mother’s health is well maintained throughout the process. We understand the progress of fertility and maintaining pregnancy can be challenging and sometimes confusing, hence we are here to help guide you in the process and achieve the optimal results for you and your family.
If I am planning to undergo IVF, when should I begin the fertility support programme?
It is best to start your fertility support programme at least 3 months before beginning your IVF cycle.
While TCM treatments, such as herbal remedies and acupuncture, can support your health during IVF, it is essential to consult your IVF specialist before beginning any TCM therapies. Different IVF centres may have varying protocols regarding the integration of TCM with their treatments.
If you have undergone multiple IVF cycles without success, we recommend taking a break from IVF and scheduling a consultation with us. We can provide a more holistic evaluation of your overall health, as there may be multiple factors contributing to the difficulties in conception.
What can I expect from the fertility support programme at Harmonizing TCM Clinic?
- Time: It is crucial to prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy at least 3-4 months prior to trying to conceive. Improving egg and sperm quality usually take a minimum of 3 months, though ideally, 6-12 months is recommended.
- Speed of progress: Our TCM fertility support programme generally produces a gradual but holistic progress. Throughout the process, we focus on enhancing both your physical and emotional well-being through the use of acupuncture and herbal medicine. This will improve egg and sperm quality, thereby increasing the chances of conception and a healthy pregnancy.
- Active Participation: At Harmonizing TCM clinic, we believe that by having you as an active participant, it will greatly improve the effectiveness of the process. To assist with our TCM diagnosis, you may be asked to track your Basal Body Temperature (BBT) regularly. We may also refer you and/or spouse to a general medical practitioner to undergo certain medical tests. With these medical results, it will help us better understand and monitor the progress of the programme.
With the above steps and understanding, our TCM practitioners will work together with you to create the best possible conditions for a healthy pregnancy and a supportive fertility journey.
For more personalized guidance and insights, reach out to Harmonizing Chinese Medicine Clinic at 08 9313 7889 —your dedicated partner in holistic wellness.