Acupuncture for IVF and Assisted Reproduction, 1st Edition
Hardcover
-
- Simplifies complex information into easily accessible and understandable material
- Explains reproductive anatomy and physiology from the perspectives of both orthodox medicine and TCM
- Explains the underlying basis of orthodox medical fertility tests and investigations
- Explores the pathology and aetiology of TCM syndromes
- Provides detailed information on how to take a fertility medical history and how to diagnose TCM syndromes
- Presents the evidence for the influence of various lifestyle factors on fertility and ART success rates
- Provides guidelines on how to regulate the menstrual cycle in preparation for IVF treatment
- Explains how common fertility-related conditions such as endometriosis, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, thyroid disease, and male factor infertility affect ART success rates
- Explains how to adapt acupuncture treatment to different ART protocols
- Provides case history templates, algorithmic acupuncture treatment pathways and patient fact sheets
- Explains how to manage patients with complex medical histories
- Looks at Repeated Implantation Failure, reproductive immunology dysfunction, and recurrent miscarriages
- Explains how to support patients if their IVF is unsuccessful and how to treat patients during early pregnancy
- Examines ethical considerations relevant to fertility acupuncture practice
-
1. Subfertility overview
Introduction / Definition of infertility disorder / Prevalence of infertility / Major causes of subfertility from an Orthodox Medical point of view / Contributory subfertility factors: the Orthodox medical perspective / Causes of subfertility from TCM point of view / Reproductive history and development from an Orthodox Medical perspective / Reproductive history and development from a TCM perspective
2. Anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system: pre-requirements for conception
Functional anatomy of the reproductive system from an Orthodox medical perspective / Sperm and egg production / Reproductive physiology from an Orthodox medical perspective / Reproductive physiology from a TCM perspective
3. The magic of conception
Sexual intercourse / Sperm transportation up the female reproductive tract / Pre-fertilization sperm changes / Egg maturation and ovulation / Egg fertilization / Transportation of embryo down the female reproductive tract / Comparison of natural fertilization (in vivo) with ART fertilization (in vitro) / Embryogenesis / Implantation: the first communication between the mother and her embryo / Conception from TCM point of view
4. Orthodox medical tests and investigations: optimising patient care
The initial consultation / Tests and investigations overview / Tests and investigations- female / Tests and investigations- male
5. Investigations from a TCM Perspective
Medical and fertility history taking / Clinical observations / TCM syndromes diagnosis in subfertile patients / Basal Body Temperature (BBT) charting as a diagnostic aid
6. The fundamentals of ART
Introduction / Types of ART treatment / Pharmacological drugs used in ART / Embryo grading / Advanced ART techniques / The role of acupuncture in ART / Future advances in ART: a potential role for acupuncture?
7. Pre-conception care in preparation for ART
Weight / Smoking / Alcohol / Caffeine / Recreational Drugs / Medication / Environmental and occupational factors / Nutrition and supplementation / Exercise and rest / Stress / Relationship and sexual issues
8. Identification and management of conditions detrimental to IVF outcome
Tubal pathology / Ovulatory disorders / PCOS / Thyroid disease / Endometriosis / Unexplained subfertility / Secondary subfertility / Male factor subfertility / Regulating the menstrual cycle with acupuncture / Treatment planning: setting realistic goals
9. Acupuncture during ART
Treatment during IVF / Adapting treatment principles to natural IVF / Adapting treatment principles to mild IVF / Adapting treatment principles to Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) / Adapting treatment principles to ovulation induction / Adapting treatment principles to IUI / Adapting treatment principles to egg donor IVF / Adapting treatment principles to surrogacy and gestational carrier / Adapting treatment principles to ZIFT/GIFT / Adapting treatment principles to IVM
10. Clinical issues during ART
Poor follicular development / Immature or no eggs / Suboptimal endometrial lining / No sperm / Fertilization failure / Poor embryo growth or growth arrest / Difficult embryo transfer
11. ART complications
Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS) / Multiple gestation
12. Managing the patient with a complex medical history
Repeated Implantation Failure (RIF) / Miscarriages and pregnancy loss / Reproductive immunology / Reproductive immunology from TCM point of view / Implications for acupuncturists: to refer or not to refer?
13. The therapeutic relationship in acupuncture practice
Mutuality / Trust / Care / Challenge and performance / Return to mutuality / Measuring the success of acupuncture treatment / The effect of subfertility on patients / Legal and ethical considerations
14. Aftercare
Negative outcome / Positive outcome: healthy transition from subfertility to pregnancy / Acupuncturist’s self-care: saying goodbye to patients
Appendices
1. Templates
2. Basal body temperature (BBT) chart template and instructions
3. Investigation reference ranges at a glance
4. Fertility factsheets
5. Commonly used medications in ART
6. Medications known to adversely affect fertility
Glossary of Orthodox Medical Terms
Glossary of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Terms