Starting trying to conceive can be a conscious decision or not. There are many reasons why NOW is the time to begin that fertility journey - career, age, the right relationship, or just pure hormonal cluckiness. Many women have expectations of conceiving right away. But what if it doesn't happen immediately? "Don't have sex! You will get Pregnant!"
We were all told this as young girls at school. Which was a huge deterrent as a teenager. But now you may be in your late twenties or thirties and you know NOW is the time for you to start a family and begin trying to conceive. You try for a couple of months with unprotected sex and nothing happens.
Six months down the track, you start becoming a bit concerned. The doctor says keep trying but you can't comprehend why unprotected sex for that long still doesn't give you a positive pregnancy test result. Your cycle seems fine, you're having sex at the right time. Other friends are falling pregnant (seemingly at the drop of a hat) and you're not. It doesn't add up.
The Medical Jargon Demystified
The definition of infertility medically is having unprotected sex for over twelve months without conceiving.
Unexplained Infertility is when the twelve months have passed and with full blood screening nothing is revealed as the cause of infertility or reason for not conceiving.
The Traditional Secrets about Fertility from China
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, preparing to conceive is just as important as the conception or pregnancy itself. This doesn't mean just taking a Pregnancy Multivitamin.
In an ideal world, TCM advises giving the couples a minimum 3 months of preparation before trying to conceive. As a practitioner, this means having the opportunity with a client to observe 3 period cycles to check how the period is tracking and smooth over any hiccups in the cycle. In men, it takes 3 months for sperm to grow, so early acupuncture and chinese medicine treatment can start to influence the outcomes with sperm tests.
Is the clock ticking loudly in your ear?
In reality Time is precious and sometimes a luxury. It isn't always possible for age related and medical reasons to have 3 months after your sleeve to work with a Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner. But TCM Practitioners will always look at the situation as; any preparation is better than none, if up until this point trying to conceive has been unsuccessful.
In my experience, the minority of people are falling pregnant within a few treatments, but it is possible with no prior health conditions affecting the picture. The majority are falling pregnant or needing 2-3 months support. In some cases it can take longer 6 months or more. It really depends on the couples pre-existing medical history and conditions, and whether their hormones are normal or not.
To start your Fertility Journey with the best preparation possible, consider Traditional Chinese Medicine. If you're in Sydney, Australia, you can contact me at info@springfertility.com.au to make an appointment or simply to discuss your case.
If outside of Sydney, the best place to find a Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner or Acupuncturist is on the AHPRA website. Or watch this video on how to search for a Registered Acupuncturist. Outside Australia, find a reputable Acupuncture association for your closest referral source.
