Did you know that acupuncture is the secret ingredient needed to improve your fertility outcomes? 

Acupuncture is a treatment for infertility that works to improve both sperm quality and ovarian function by balancing hormones and improving blood flow (PMID: 30337989). Learn more about how I incorporate acupuncture into my fertility work by reading on below, or go right ahead and book an appointment using the quick links here.

I know what it’s like to feel.. 

Alone!

Mad!

Defeated each month when your period arrives and your pregnancy test is negative!

Saddened by the Instagram highlight reel of new babies!

Forlorn like it will never happen for you!

You want to throw your hands up because you don’t know what to do to make this happen!

Eager to do anything you can to make this happen.

Heartbroken because you’re suffering another loss. 

I am a fertility-focused naturopathic doctor because I have the tools to help my patients reach their goal of parenthood. I have seen success myself as a patient, and time and time again with my own patients. Whether you have been struggling with infertility for years, have just started your fertility journey, or are just thinking about starting a family soon, figuring out how to optimize your preconception health status is paramount to achieving success.

Preconception/Infertility Acupuncture

Initial Consultation & Treatment - 45 Minutes

Dr. Rachel will take a magnifying glass to your case to discover:

• What’s going on with your baseline health

• What testing has been done so far

• What treatments (if any) have been implemented

• What is happening with your menstrual cycles and/or cycle monitoring reports

• You will have your first 30-minute acupuncture treatment

Follow Up Visits: 30 Minutes (or 60 Minutes if you have a thin uterine lining)

You can expect weekly acupuncture visits during your monthly cycle. We try to time your treatments so support ovulation and implantation. This is especiallly important duinrg IUI cycles. 

If you are leading up to an IVF cycle (retrieval or transfer) you can expect to have 2 sessions per week. 

I have specific sessions available for day of IUI, IVF retrieval, and pre and post transfer acupuncture. 

Once Pregnant: I also offer pregnancy support acupuncture throughout 1st trimester, and to support you before delivery in 3rd trimester. You can learn more about Prenatal Care and Pregnancy Acupuncture here.

Now comes the part where I try to ease your mind over those “yeah, buts” that are going on in your head right now. I know they are there, so let’s face them head on…

Yeah, but - can you actually help me because so far nothing else is working? 

I can tell you I’ve had that conversation with patients quite a few times during complimentary consultations, and many of those people wind up pregnant and take home their little ones. Does it happen for everyone? No. I can’t guarantee success.

Yeah, but - I’m going to have to see you weekly for months and months, right?

That’ really depends on the case. Often times weekly acupuncture appointments are recommended for fertility. Most of my patients see me about 5 times before they achieve their goal. Some patients see me only once. It’s entirely case based. I can say that you’ll need at least 1 month of acupuncture. Follow ups after that are case based. 

Yeah, but - you’re not a real doctor, right?

I’m a Naturopathic Doctor. You can read up about the differences between MDs and NDs here. I work alongside a medical doctor in my practice, and I am always happy to collaborate with the medical doctors of others. So where they can offer their expertise with respect to protocols, prescribing pharmaceuticals, and more, I will come in with my expertise of botanical medicine, clinical nutritional, bio-identical hormone therapy, supplementation, lifestyle management and more. 

Yeah, but - that means OHIP won’t cover this visit, right?

Correct.  It won’t. But 99% of the time your extended medical benefits will cover the cost of your visit. Check out your benefits plan to find out. Naturopathic doctors are usually covered under “paramedical” expenses. 

Yeah, but - I need a referral, right?

No. You don’t.

Yeah, but - you’re going to make me buy a whole bunch of supplements, right?

I’ll be transparent here - we will most definitely be talking about a supplement or two that you will want to add to help move your journey along. I’ll only be recommending research-supported nutraceuticals, at research-supported doses, for research-supported durations. I am not affiliated with any supplement companies so you can trust there is no bias other than me wanting to recommend a good-quality option. If you’re not into taking a supplement or two then I am not your girl. Whatever I do recommend will be safe with any medications you may already be taking.

Yeah, but - you’re going to make me cut out all the fun stuff, right?

I might make you cut out a few things. But most of my recommendations aren’t forever. Keep in mind that you’re not hiring me to be your friend, you’re hiring me for my expertise, and sometimes that expertise involves cutting out some of the fun stuff that’s impacting your success. 

Yeah, but - I’ve been told I have unexplained infertility so this won’t work for me, right?

Unexplained just means we haven’t figured it out yet. Let me be the detective that does!

Yeah, but - can I claim these visits under acupuncture?

No. You can’t. I am a naturopathic doctor, not a registered acupuncturist. Acupuncture is part of the scope of practice of naturopathic doctors in Ontario, and I received 4 years of Traditional Chinese Medicine training during my naturopathic medical training. You can claim these visits under naturopathic services or paramedical services.

The Fun Extras

Every new patient is eligible for a complimentary consultation. 

After your first session you’lll also be placed in my welcome series full of additional tips and tricks to help with implementing your treatment plan right to your inbox.

You’ve made it this far, so you must really be interested. If you’re ready to take the leap, then here are your options:

You can either book a 15-minute complimentary meet and greet or you can book your initial visit. 

Most people book the meet and greet just to hear my voice and get a sense of my style and to answer any questions I haven’t answered here.

Infertility often presents because there are underlying health factors that have not been discovered. When we’re working to create a brand new human life, we need to make sure that your human life is in top notch condition too. Nothing we do to optimize your preconception status will hurt you in the long run. Why? Because we’ll be working to improve your overall health. Not only will we be working toward you taking home the baby you are most desperately wanting, we’re also going to make sure you’re around to see that little one grow up. As someone who has gone through preconception healthcare, my own discoveries about my underlying health issues were surprising. However I was happy to learn about them so I could improve my health and bring my kids into the world. Today I continue to work on my overall health, and will continue to do so long term. I hope to help you do the same.