Tackling infertility the natural way

Couples finding it difficult to have a baby are turning to alternative treatments before opting for IVF

MORE AND more couples facing the prospect of not being able to have a baby are now approaching their infertility problems in a more holistic manner, either before or alongside seeking standard medical approaches to infertility.

And, as a consequence, some complementary therapists in Ireland are specialising in infertility and pregnancy-related issues.

Dublin-based acupuncturist Karen Costin is one such therapist. “More than 90 per cent of my clients come with infertility problems. Some want to try acupuncture before in vitro fertilisation [IVF], others want to try a natural approach because they specifically don’t want to go for IVF and some couples have been through huge amounts of IVF,” she says.

“The first thing I do is find out what’s going on with the couple as a unit including suggesting scans and tests for the man and the woman. Acupuncture can help the body work more efficiently, both in terms of female ovulation and improve the quality and quantity of sperm,” she says.

Anna Savino is a clinical nurse specialist in general practice who is currently setting up a Dublin-based infertility clinic with an acupuncturist, a chiropractor, a hypnotherapist, a reflexologist and a nutritional therapist.

“Essentially what we do is pre-conceptual care. People often don’t think that alcohol, smoking, poor nutrition, obesity and stress all affect their fertility but they do,” says Savino,

“Before we work out what treatment approach would suit a couple, we ask them to fill out a very detailed questionnaire with fertility, contraceptive, sexual, family and medical history, as well as questions on their diet, exercise, digestion, immunity, food allergies and hormonal-related conditions,” explains Savino.

The growth of interest in the integrated approach to infertility in this country has no doubt been influenced by the very successful London-based midwife and acupuncturist Zita West. In her reproductive health practice, a team of healthcare professionals give medical and complementary care to more than 1,000 couples a year.

Just this month, she has published Zita West's Guide to Fertility and Assisted Conception(Vermilion £15.99). This gives a comprehensive overview of preparing your mind and body for pregnancy, investigations and treatment options before IVF and understanding IVF itself.

In her book, West discusses the importance of a pro-active approach to good nutrition and how therapies such as hypnotherapy, breathing techniques and traditional Chinese medicine can help. She also talks about how women can be spiritually depleted from IVF and how couples can be emotionally blocked unbeknownst to themselves.

“The more the human body is in balance physically, nutritionally and emotionally, the better the reproductive process is likely to be,” she writes. And, she argues that it is important to explore as many low-tech ways to conceive as possible before starting IVF treatment. However, she advises couples to be very cautious about therapists who may waste their time.

“Don’t let the therapist control what you are doing in terms of your fertility treatment . . . Be guided by your IVF doctors,” she says.

Some complementary therapists argue that with a greater availability of fertility clinics, couples choose IVF before they have exhausted cheaper, more natural approaches to improving their fertility.

“Some couples opt for IVF too quickly instead of looking at natural ways to restore their bodies first. Sometimes, if there is stress in the relationship, they decide to do IVF with a ‘the doctor will fix it’ approach,” says Costin.

New York-based fertility specialist Dr Sami David estimates that 50 per cent of women on IVF don’t need it and could get pregnant naturally.

“Infertility is a symptom, not a disease, yet most fertility doctors are only interested in giving a woman drugs and getting her on a course of expensive and stressful IVF as soon as possible. I’m not against IVF but it shouldn’t be the first thing we turn to as doctors,” he says.

“Putting women on aggressive drugs to stimulate egg production is a waste of time if, in fact, she is failing to get pregnant because her partner has a low sperm count or she has an infection,” he adds.

Dr David is the co-author of Making Babies(Little Brown), a three-month scheme that helps women overcome common blocks to pregnancy.

The book offers targeted advice to five different personality types, loosely based on the principles of Chinese medicine.

Another issue is that while it is widely recognised that there is a male factor in up to half of fertility problems, male reproductive health is often under- investigated.

“I say to couples that it is best to keep it simple first. They should look at lifestyle and personal issues first before taking a pill,” says Savino.

“Most couples aren’t having enough sex.

“Rather than focusing specifically on the fertility window [about six days before and the day of ovulation], couples should be having sex two or three times a week,” she adds.

BABY STEPS: WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING IF YOU WANT TO GET PREGNANT

The questions couples should ask themselves before opting for IVF treatment:

Are you having regular sex – at least two or three times a week?

Are you aware of your fertile time?

Are you usually together around your fertile time?

Are you overweight or underweight?

Are you on any medication?

Have you changed your lifestyle in any way, such as cutting down on alcohol or giving up cigarettes?

What is your work/life balance like – are you overstretching yourself or working too hard?

How are your energy reserves? If low, are you building them up?

Are you sleeping well?

Do you have some hobbies?

Do you have time to relax?

What is your relationship like with your partner?

Adapted from Zita West's Guide to Fertility and Assisted Conception(Vermilion £15.99)