Fertility Consultation

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We live in a culture where time is often measured out to the last second, and having control is paramount. Shoot off a quick e-mail. Return a call on your cell as you speed off to your next engagement. Plan projects down to the letter and project outcomes for success. Well, pregnancy, or more specifically, getting pregnant, doesn’t work that way. It’s not something that can be penciled into one’s planner between a job promotion and an extended vacation. Variables, such as ovulation, fertilization and implantation can’t be exactly pinpointed. One can hope that during a particular cycle or time frame pregnancy occurs, but in the end, it’s really out of anyone’s control. For couples trying to conceive, this is a frustrating and humbling realization. After several months of trying without conception, most couples consult with a fertility specialist.
“The first consultation is specifically for information gathering,” says Shahryar Kavoussi, MD, MPH, a reproductive endocrinologist in practice with his father K.M. Kavoussi, MD at Austin Fertility & Reproductive Medicine. “I allot at least 30 minutes so that I can get to know the couple and take a thorough reproductive history.” According to Kavoussi, a woman’s menstrual history, whether or not either spouse has had children before in the past, how long ago these children were conceived and if this is the first time this couple is trying to conceive, all provide valuable insight into the couple’s reproductive health. Once Kavoussi has this history, he determines what laboratory tests may be needed or if there are other imaging tests or surgeries needed. The senior Kavoussi has extensive expertise in laparoscopic procedures and performs many of the pelvic surgeries necessary to help restore women’s fertility.
When couples ask what they can do to improve their odds of conception, Kavoussi has these suggestions:
• Women trying to conceive should be taking a daily prenatal vitamin that contains at least 400 micrograms of Folic Acid.

• Smokers should quit (both mothers and fathers! Smoking decreases sperm count.)

• Both potential parents should eat a well-balanced diet.

• Engage in regular exercise. Vigorous exercise is okay, provided a woman is cycling regularly.

• As much as possible, try to lose any extra pounds before trying to conceive, but don’t delay trying to conceive until you reach “goal weight.”

• Decrease caffeine intake. In both men and women more than three cups of caffeine daily decreases fertility and increases the risk of miscarriage.

• Consume alcohol in very limited quantities.

• As much as possible, manage stress.

“I try to educate couples about the facts regarding fertility and conception. Couples need to know that 15% of couples won’t achieve pregnancy in one year of unprotected intercourse. Many times this has to do with timing intercourse with ovulation and other times there are more serious factors. But giving couples information so that they know what to expect is key.”

Some couples seek alternative paths to conception. In traditional Chinese medicine when a woman is unable to conceive, the question the practitioner asks is, “What is blocked or out of balance in this woman’s system that is preventing the normal process of conception?” To answer this question, Cynthia Treglia, MS, LAc. a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, does a thorough initial interview with her client(s). In addition to questions regarding the menstrual cycle, the amount and quality of the blood, the timing and intensity of cramps, she also asks questions about the patient’s general physical and emotional health, lifestyle and dietary habits. The problems associated with fertility are varied. Chinese medicine focuses on strengthening the kidney, spleen and liver meridians, balancing hormones, eliminating stagnation and addressing any other pattern of physical disharmony that presents itself throughout the duration of the treatments.
Once Treglia has determined the issues that could be interfering with conception, she uses herbs and acupuncture to restore harmony to the body. The herbs are very important in clearing and balancing the system while acupuncture promotes the free flow of “Ch’i” or energy throughout the body.
Pat had been trying to get pregnant for three years using natural family planning techniques. During that time she and her husband had a complete fertility workup and all of the tests were normal. The couple did three unsuccessful intrauterine inseminations (IUI’s) yet Pat still did not conceive. Each failed attempt caused more emotional upset. Pat felt hopeless when she was finally diagnosed with “unexplained infertility.” In an effort to relax, she went to the Lake Austin Spa where she learned about a fertility retreat with Radine Lewis, PhD, licensed acupuncturist and author of The Infertility Cure: The Ancient Chinese Wellness Program for Getting Pregnant and Having Healthy Babies. She attended the next retreat and learned the important role that stress, emotional upset and diet had on reproduction. Pat decided that before she tried again to conceive, she would work on getting her body healthy. She and her husband began traditional Chinese medicine treatments with Sarai Stapleton, Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MAOM) and owner of Axis Acupuncture. Stapleton specializes in fertility and trained with Radine Lewis.
“Sarai helped me to see how stressed-out I was,” says Pat. I was working at a very stressful job, was always on the run and did not eat the best diet. Sarai was very supportive as I made lifestyle changes and combined with the herbs and acupuncture I became pregnant naturally three months after working with Sarai.”
Stapleton is a support for her clients. “Many of my clients come to me after they’ve tried a lot of reproductive technologies. They are depressed and often have little hope of getting pregnant. Now they just want to get their health and some happiness back into their lives. It’s at this point that many women are open to creating a space in their lives for a pregnancy and room in their lives for the pregnancy and the child.”
If you are having difficulty conceiving naturally, it may be time to get some help. Don’t delay. Explore all your options for care and determine which modalities and practitioners will best serve your needs. Meet with the practitioners and begin treating your body as if it were pregnant, giving your body at least three months to adjust to any changes in diet and lifestyle. You may not know when you’ll become pregnant, but you can be sure that your mind, body and spirit are at their best when the time comes.
How Couples Can Take Care of Themselves while Trying to Conceive
• Women trying to conceive should be taking a daily prenatal vitamin that contains at least 400 micrograms of Folic Acid.
• Smokers should quit (both mothers and fathers!

Smoking decreases sperm count.)

• Both potential parents should eat a well-balanced diet.
• Engage in regular exercise. Vigorous exercise is okay provided a woman is cycling regularly.
• As much as possible, try to lose any extra pounds before trying to conceive, but don’t delay trying to conceive until you reach “goal weight.”
• Decrease caffeine intake. In both men and women more than three cups of caffeine daily decreases fertility and increases the risk of miscarriage.
• Consume alcohol in very limited quantities.
• As much as possible, manage stress.