Preconception Health

Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese practice, is still used to alleviate pain, curb stress, treat infertility, promote a healthy pregnancy, foster healthy aging, and create an overall sense of well-being.

The choices made in everyday life can have a large effect on fertility. By making a few alterations in our daily routine, it can help to improve our chances to not only conceive but also have a successful and healthy pregnancy.

Fertility mapping is a unique supportive holistic framework designed to personalize and optimize patient’s wellness before, during, and after fertility treatments, such as IUI, IVF, or FET.

Guided Meditation Resources: The following links to sites offering guided meditations and breathing practices designed to counteract the effects of stress and anxiety that many people are experiencing related to the Coronavirus.

In office acupuncture treatments with Jennifer Paschen, L.Ac., MSOM, DCCM, are now available on Tuesdays by appointment only. We recommend starting acupuncture as soon as possible if you are awaiting any assisted fertility treatment- this includes: IUI, IVF, FET.

If I’m trying to get pregnant, should I stop trying to conceive due to the Coronavirus? Will contracting COVID-19 now impact fertility later? What if I test positive for COVID-19? What if I’m pregnant and test positive?

IHR wants to assure our patients that the IVF lab has made all necessary arrangements to assure the continued cryogenic preservation of all embryos / oocytes / sperm frozen and stored at the lab during this time of ‘Stay at Home’ order (it is considered an essential health service).

Join us on Thursday, January 31, 2019 from 5:30 - 6:30 PM for a free seminar that will be lead by registered dietitian and reproductive nutrition specialist, Rachelle Mallik, MA, RD, LDN. Rachelle is the founder of [The Food Therapist](https://rachellemallik.com/), a virtually-based private practice that provides nutrition therapy for fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and breastfeeding. She empowers women on their reproductive journeys with a holistic, evidence-based approach and recommendations tailored to each individual.  Space is limited; Register Today!

The US Department of Health and Human Services has recently published new guidelines regarding physical activity during and after pregnancy. Some of these new guidelines recommend that women should do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate- intensity aerobic activity a week during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Preferably, aerobic activity should be spread throughout the week.

The HSN provides the best imaging of the contour of the uterine cavity.  It is an ultrasound where fluid is injected into the uterus.

Ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome (OHSS) is an uncommon side effect of fertility medications. It is usually mild but there rare circumstances where it can have serious consequences. During stimulation with fertility medications the ovaries can become very large.

Prenatal vitamins are formulated for the extra nutritional needs of women before, during, and after pregnancy. There are many different brands available by prescription and over the counter. In terms of pre-conception and early pregnancy, the amount of folic acid in your vitamin is very important.

From the CDC website: Rubella is a contagious disease that can be very dangerous if you get it while you are pregnant. In fact, it can cause a miscarriage or serious birth defects. The best protection against rubella is MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, but if you aren’t up to date, you’ll need it before you get pregnant.