Fertility Services
FACTS ABOUT WESTERN FERTILITY METHODS
- Research shows that even young women using In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) techniques have between 20-30% chance of conceiving (at a cost of at least 10,000 per attempt). The chances fall to less than 10 % for those of age 39 and only 3% by age 40
- On average women go through seven cycles of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) before they either conceive or quit, spending thousands of dollars
DIFFERENT APPROACH
The Western solution to a drought is to open the floodgates of a dam upstream and release an enormous amount of water all at once. x The Eastern method is to “seed the clouds and release just enough rain to restore the proper level of water in the river.” Randin Lewis The former approach is typical hormone therapy which can cause many side effects including those that are disruptive to fertility.
GOALS OF FERTILITY TREATMENT
- Assist IVF and ART treatments to maximize the chances of success using these western approaches
- Optimize changes not only of conceiving but also carrying to term a healthy baby
- Correct Hormonal Imbalances and Normalize Menstrual Cycles
- Remove lifestyle impediments to fertility – stress, poor nutrition
SERVICES OFFERED
- DOULA SERVICES – Dr. Charney is Specially Trained to Attend Births and Offer Assisstance at Home or Hospital Births
- Sympto-Thermal Method (STM) of Natural Family Planning – Dr. Charney Received Specialized Training Using a Simple Method of Temperature Monitoring to Evaluate Hormonal Imbalances, Gage Fertility Signs and Accurately Time Optimal Intercourse
- ACUPUNCTURE – April 2002, German researchers reported that they had increased the success rate by nearly 50% in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) using acupuncture. In the area of female health and fertility, acupuncture has been shown to be beneficial for women with PCOS and anovulation, and it has been shown to increase uterine blood flow. Acupuncture has also been shown to decrease the symptoms related to endometriosis and primary dysmenorrhea. In 1996 the World Health Organization endorsed acupuncture treatment for a wide range of conditions including infertility.
- DIET
- HERBAL MEDICINE
Chinese Medicine And Infertility
From a Chinese Medicine perspective, infertility can arise from a number of different of factors. In general the treatments focus on building up energy reserves, regulating menstrual cycles, and balancing emotional energies. Of particular focus are the Kidney, Heart and Liver meridian systems.
In Chinese medicine, the Kidney system provides a woman with the energy she needs to create a life. If this energy is deficient either from overwork or other health issues, conception may be difficult.
The Liver too is essential. It controls the smooth flow of menstruation. A major focus of the infertility treatment is to regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle and treat any associated issues such as heavy bleeding or painful periods.
The Heart System reflects a women’s emotional state. Stress and anxiety over pregnancy, especially for those undergoing expensive Western fertility treatment, can disrupt hormones and make pregnancy less achievable.
The main goals of treatment are as follows:
- regulate menstruation
- balance psycho-emotional issues
- building energy reserves
- eliminating digestive issues
Many conditions can interfere with fertility for women including:
- hormonal imbalances
- luteal phase defect
- disorders of ovulation
- poor follicle/endometrial quality
- immunological factors
- inflammation of pelvic organs
- Endometriosis
- polycystic ovarian syndrome
- fallopian tube blockages
- thyroid disease
Acupuncture is theorized to improve women’s fertility by
- providing improved blood circulation to the pelvic organs
- enhancing follicle development
- relaxing the cervix
- improving fertile mucous
- regulating ovulation and the menstrual cycle
- improving the endometrial lining
- decreasing overall stress levels
Links to Media Articles on Acupuncture and Fertility
- Acupuncture increases chances of IVF success.
- Acupuncture improves fertility in men, too.
- Acupuncture: A Cure for Infertility? Fox News.
WHAT IS A DOULA?
The word DOULA comes from the Greek and is now used to refer to a woman who helps other women. They are experienced women helping women through childbirth providing physical, emotional, and informational support before, during and after the childbirth.
A birth DOULA
- Understands the birthing process has a long lasting impact on the mother, child and family.
- Understands the physiology of birth and emotional needs of the mother during labor.
- Assists a woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth.
- Stays by the sides of the laboring mother throughout the entire pregnancy.
- Provides emotional support, physical comfort, objective view point, and assistance to the woman in getting information she needs to make informed decisions.
- Facilitates communications between the laboring woman, her partner, and clinical care providers.
- Perceives her role as one who nurtures and protects the women’s memory of her birth experience.
A postpartum DOULA
- Provides care to the family with a newborn baby.
