AssistedConception.org

My name is Sheena Young and I am Regional Organiser in Scotland for Infertility Network UK (I N UK). We are fortunate that The Scottish Executive Health Department fund my position, which has enabled us to have a branch here.

I have been in the post since 1997 and in that time have set up quite a few support groups across Scotland. In recent years there has been a very significant reduction in the number of active groups all over the UK. Here in Scotland at the time of writing this, we have just the group which I run in Ayrshire, one in Kirkcaldy and Cradle (formerly Glasgow Infertility Support Group) still active. It is sad that this is the case, but a survey of our members showed that many couples were seeking support in other ways and preferred not to meet face to face. The important thing is that we are able to provide support and information in the way that best suits each individuals needs.

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Male Factor infertility is the cause in approximately 50% of couples who experience infertility. All couples undergoing infertility investigations should have a semen analysis completed, even in circumstances where an identified female problem has been diagnosed. Causes of infertility amongst men vary, but in general it is the result in failure to produce an ejaculate containing a sufficient quantity of normal functioning sperm, capable of travelling through the female reproductive tracts and fertilising an egg.

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The Term “Unexplained Infertility” is used to describe a couple’s fertility problem, where no clinical abnormalities appear present. For example, investigations of the female partner show a clear and acceptable laparoscopy, apparently normal ovulation and a normal semen analysis.

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A woman whose husband died two and a half years ago has given birth to his daughter after IVF treatment. Diana Scott, 44, from Chippenham, Wiltshire, had 6lb baby girl Grace in September of this year in a Bath hospital.

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Background

My client was 29 years old and had been on the combined pill for approximately 11 years. When she came off the pill to start a family, she discovered that her periods were very erratic and were sometimes up to 12 weeks apart. After 12 months, her GP referred her to hospital for tests. These tests revealed that she was not ovulating. She then began hormone treatment and took Clomiphine for 6 months in order to kick-start ovulation. However, this treatment was unsuccessful, and Suzanne was then transferred to the waiting list for IUI (intra-uterine insemination).

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Reflexology is a complementary therapy and works on the principle that there are reflex points on the feet which directly correspond to different parts of the body. By stimulating specific reflex points it is therefore possible to directly stimulate specific parts of the body. Reflexology is a fantastic therapy that treats the person as a whole- mind, body and spirit. It is amazingly relaxing and helps the body fight off the adverse effects of stress, as well as raising your natural endorphin levels to give you that all important feel good factor.

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Alternative therapy is a generic term which describes holistic treatments which can usually be carried out independently to treat various medical condition or in conjunction with traditional Western medicine. The two main treatments which are currently cited as being potential benefits to infertility and fertility treatment are Reflexology and Acupuncture.

Both treatments are thought to work on the mind/body/spirit centres and aim to bring the body back into its natural state of harmony.

Reflexology is an extremely relaxing treatment for most people and it is thought to boost natural fertility and detoxify the body, therefore better preparing you for pregnancy which ever root you take. Some more recent theories suggest that reflexology, if performed in the early stages of an IVF cycle, can improve egg quality and quantity.

Acupuncture is currently becoming more widely accepted by the Western medical profession as a treatment which may be beneficial during fertility treatment. Recent research carried out in Germany by Paulus and Zhang suggests that acupuncture can increase implantation and thus pregnancy rates, if performed at specific times around embryo transfer.

This information should not be taken as a replacement for medical advice