Trying to Conceive
Acupuncture & Chinese medicine support for natural conception, IVF and assisted reproduction.
If you’re here, you may be hoping to grow your family and looking for some support along the way.
You may be just beginning to think about conception, have been trying for some time, or already be navigating fertility investigations, IVF, ICSI, IUI or another form of assisted reproduction.
Wherever you are in that process, you are very welcome here.
Fertility journeys come in many different forms, and so do families. My role is to meet you where you are, understand your individual circumstances, and offer thoughtful, personalised Chinese medicine care alongside the rest of your healthcare.
Your fertility story is individual
Sometimes there is a clear reason why conception has been difficult. Sometimes there are several contributing factors. And sometimes, despite extensive investigation, you may simply have been told that everything appears normal.
Our first appointment gives us time to look at the broader picture.
We may talk about your menstrual cycle and ovulation, previous pregnancies, fertility treatment and investigations, sleep, digestion, stress, energy, general health and any conditions such as endometriosis or PCOS that may be relevant.
I’m also very happy to look through fertility investigations or blood tests you already have. If something appears worth exploring further, I may suggest discussing this with your GP or fertility specialist.
From there, we can put together a treatment plan that is specific to you rather than following a one-size-fits-all fertility protocol.
How I support you
As a registered acupuncturist and Chinese medicine practitioner, my main tools are acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, where appropriate.
Treatment may also include simple dietary or lifestyle suggestions from a Chinese medicine perspective, but I try not to add an overwhelming list of things you suddenly need to do perfectly.
Trying to conceive can already involve enough appointments, decisions and mental load.
My aim is for your treatment to feel like a supportive part of the process rather than another task to manage.
When should I start?
If you have the luxury of time, I generally like to begin working together a few months before you plan to conceive or commence fertility treatment.
This gives us time to get to know your cycle, address symptoms that may be troubling you and establish a rhythm of care before things become busier.
But life — and fertility treatment — doesn't always work to a perfect timeline.
You certainly haven't “missed your chance” if IVF has already started, your embryo transfer is approaching, or you've simply decided that now is the time you'd like some extra support.
We start wherever you are.
If you're going through IVF or ART
Acupuncture can be incorporated at different stages of assisted reproductive treatment, including preparation for a cycle, ovarian stimulation, around egg collection, during frozen embryo transfer cycles and around embryo transfer.
I understand that IVF schedules can change quickly, so where possible I try to remain flexible around important treatment dates and procedures.
Your acupuncture treatment is tailored around your fertility clinic's plan rather than competing with it, and Chinese herbal medicine is only considered where it is appropriate for your individual circumstances and treatment stage.
For some people, one of the most valuable parts of coming to acupuncture during IVF is simply having somewhere to stop.
A treatment room where you don't need to make another decision, interpret another result or think about the next appointment for a little while.
Just somewhere to rest and be looked after.
You're welcome here
Whether you are trying naturally or with medical assistance, at the very beginning of your journey or several years into it, you don't need to have everything figured out before coming in.
Bring whatever information you have, tell me your story, and we'll begin there.
Acupuncture & Chinese medicine fertility support in Battery Point, Hobart.