Fertility
How to Make an Appointment
To make an appointment for your initial consultation at our Chapel Hill, Cary or Carolina Conceptions office call (919) 933-4480. If you are a patient at the Duke Fertility Center you can make an appointment by emailing us at dfcacupuncture@gmail.com. We encourage you to set up your initial appointment as early in your fertility journey as possible but it is also never too late to add the benefits of our services to your plan. You will need to fill out paperwork before you come to the appointment which can be found on our Forms Page. Please print out the forms specific for male or female fertility.
If you want to schedule acupuncture just for an embryo transfer, please call (919) 933-4480 and specify which fertility clinic you are attending and the expected date and time of your transfer and we will arrange for an acupuncturist to attend. Duke Fertility patients email us at dfcacupuncture@gmail.com, Katherine or Julie are available every day for embryo transfer treatments at the Duke Fertility Center.
All of your questions are welcome and will be answered at your initial consultation. Here is what you can expect: The first visit will last approximately 1 ½ hours.
- You will discuss your fertility and menstrual history, as well as daily habits such as digestion, sleep and exercise. Bring any information you have easily available such as BBT charts, lab reports, etc.
- Your pulse and tongue will be read according to traditional Chinese principles — these two physical assessments give your acupuncturist valuable information about your blood and body systems.
- Acupuncture treatment may consist of needling points on your lower back and legs and/or your abdomen, arms, legs, and head. The treatment may or may not also include the use of electrical stimulation of the points. This is a very gentle and relaxing addition to the needles which promotes circulation in the reproductive organs. The needling itself should be painless and sometimes a heavy or achy sensation will surround the location of the needles. This is a positive sign that the treatment is effective and overall it should be a deeply relaxing experience.
- After the acupuncture, you will discuss any questions you may have and review the treatment plan designed for you. This may or may not include a prescription of Chinese herbs. The second visit will take a closer look at your diet, supplement usage and overall lifestyle. What you put into your body in the form of nutrients dramatically affects the health of eggs that are maturing and becoming ready for fertilization. Poor quality of sleep and digestive upset can also increase stress in the body. Abdominal massage will be introduced to increase circulation to the pelvic organs and minimize any stagnation present. You will then be expected to follow through with the massage at home at regular intervals. Your acupuncturist will lead you through a breathing exercise to promote relaxation and help you incorporate more relaxation into your daily life.
Subsequent visits will include acupuncture, updates and check-ins on diet and lifestyle health as well as uterine massage and relaxation exercises when needed.