How I Work

I listen!  

So many clients come to me, with a deep sense of frustation that they are not listened to by their Gynaecologist. In my practice, I value what you have to say and therefore listen and work with you to develop a program which fine-tunes your body's natural fertility in a way that works for you and your lifestyle.

On this page you'll learn more about the types of results you can expect when working with me, my values as a clinician and what it is the sets my natural fertility program apart from the others.

Expected Results

Infertility of unknown origins is the #1 reason men and women work with me.  We overcome unknown infertility in my clinic by reconnecting your body with its natural fertility rhythms.  In women this means we retrain the body to menstruate without pain and clots, ovulate, secrete oestrogen and progesterone, lutenizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone at the right time and dull or completely irradicate the bothering effects of PMS. When this starts to happen it means your body's natural fertility is primed and working as it should be which therefore increases your chances of pregnancy.

For men, I study and interpret your semen analysis and develop a program which specifically redresses the imbalances you're experiencing.  If your sperm are sluggish, then treatment is designed to speed them up.  If your sperm count is low, then treatment is about increasing that and if you have higher than appropriate levels of abnormal sperm then treatment is about decreasing the number of abnormal sperm - and for the record, having acupuncture for male factor infertility does not involve having needles in your testes or penis.

Many women come to me for specific gynaecological problems like irregular menstrual cycles, period pain, PMS, hormonal headaches, (early) menopause or amenorrhea (no periods).  My natural fertility program will address all of these concerns, and more, by targeting treatment to that part of your menstrual cycle which is not working optimally.  

Acupuncture is ideal during pregnancy because it is drug-free and highly effective in treating a wide range of pregnancy related disorders.  My advice to all women is to have regular acupuncture therapy throughout pregnancy to help the body cope with the rigours of pregnancy and reduce the possibility for miscarriage, morning sickness, back ache, high blood pressure and emotional fluctuations.  Many women report feeling more energized when having acupuncture during pregnancy.

In the weeks leading up to the birth of your baby, regardless of the birth being 'natural' or via caesarian, acupuncture is excellent.  For women having a caesar, acupuncture can help your body recover more quickly from the surgery which improving wound healing and blood flow. For women having a 'natural' birth, having acupuncture before the delivery will help the body's tendons and ligaments to relax more, help with blood flow and reduce anxiety and stress.  As well, for regular clients I offer acupressure training to your birthing partner as a way of reducing the number of drugs you may use during your labour.

In my experience, women who undergo regular acupuncture throughout their pregnancies seem to have less trouble going into labour - of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. However, acupuncture from 40 weeks onwards can be highly effective in helping women go into labour without having to have a medical induction.  Acupuncture can also be used to help women, already in labour, speed their labour up if it is not progressing - and this works well as my clinic is very close to the Royal Brisbane and Mater hospitals.

For those couples undergoing IVF, acupuncture is an excellent complementary therapy which works in two ways.  It supports what your IVF specialist is doing by promoting ovulation and blood flow when it's needed.  It also helps your body to cope with the major changes it is undergoing as a result of the hormones you will be injecting each day leading up to your egg pick-up/transfer.  Acupuncture is also shown to increase the chances of egg implantation when administered on the day of transfer and in my practice I encourage women to continue with treatment after the transfer as well to help support the body during this most crucial phase of your IVF cycle.

Also, don't forget that men, leading up to their sperm donation, benefit from acupuncture to help improve sperm motility and volume.

My Core Beliefs & Values

Part of my approach is to work with you to develop a natural fertility program which you will feel comfortable working with - which is important considering it is you who is trying to have a baby!  

In me you get a clinician who is dedicated to helping you achieve your goal of parenthood.  From me you will receive considered, honest advice.  What you choose to do with that advice is entirely your business and I will work with you from within the boundaries you set.  

Expect suggestions about your diet, stress levels and general lifestyle - all of which are offered to help you achieve your goal of parenthood. You can expect herbal medicines, where appropriate, to be recommended and regular acupuncture as well.  

How is My Program Unique?

My program is unique because it puts YOU at the centre of the treatment process - there is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach.  It's unique amongst fertility and gynaecology treatments because the treatment doesn't produce negative side-effects - no mood swings or emotional ups and downs that sometimes come with pharmaceutical drugs.  The treatment is unique because it's regular and therefore I can closely monitor the changes in your body and respond to those changes accordingly.

With my program, you'll never feel as though you've been left alone.  Your consultation fee provides you with follow-up support when you need it and a thorough and a considered explanation of the treatment you are receiving.  My program respects the decisions you make, with my guidance, about your natural fertility and your journey to parenthood.

-oOo-

Now that you have a better idea about the results you can expect by working with me and my approach and philosophy of working with you, next go to the Services & Programs page to learn about the specific services and programs I offer.