Ruth Chappell Lic.Ac  M.B.Ac.C.

Ruth Chappell was for many years a practicing Registered Nurse and Health Visitor, she has been practicing acupuncture for over 20 years and is a member of The British Acupuncture Council. She is one of Scotlands most experienced acupuncturists in the field of fertility treatment. 

Ruth will also use acupuncture in conjuction with clients  having infertility treatment at The  \Glasgow Centre for Reproductive Medicne ( GCRM ), Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the \Nuffield Hospital.

Acupuncture and Infertility

A recent German study found that using acupuncture with IVF treatments achieved a 42% clinical pregnancy rate in the test group, compared to only 26% in the control group who were not given acupuncture. This success rate has been demonstrated to increase to 60% when both acupuncture and herbs were given with IVF. IT was also found that when acupuncture and herbs were used throughout the pregnancy, the risk of miscarriage was signicantly reduced. It was also observed that women who had received IVF unsuccessfully on a number of occasions, soon became pregnant under an acupuncture regime.

In clinical observation ultrasound has shown that after acupuncture, women's ovaries change from cloudy to clear and bright. It was also seen that follicles doubled in number, the lining of the uterus became thicker and there was a marked increase in the number of embryos. It has also been observed that while many women have problems from the side effects of the conventional medical drugs used in IVF treatment, acupuncture helps to prevent side effects problems. Acupuncture also has benefits for men with fertility problems, improving both semen quality and sperm count.

Acupuncture has been shown to help the success rate in becoming pregnant in the following ways:

a) It regulates the hormones to produce more follicles.                                                                      

b) It improves ovary function to produce better eggs.

c) Increases the flow of blood to the uterus & increases the thickness of the uterus lining.

d) Prevents the uterus from contracting.

e) Relaxes the patient & lessens their stress factor.

f) Lessens the side effect of drugs used in IVF.

g) Boosts the immune system.

h) Creates better semen to improve the quality & quantity of embryos.

i) Helps throughout the pregnancy & minimises the likelihood of miscarriages.

Other treatments are often used in conjunction with acupuncture such as massage, lymphatic drainage, nutritional and dietry advice. We also have a counselling and hypnotherapy service to support our clients.

Homoeopathy and Infertility

Homoeopathy has 200 years experience of treating infertility in men and women and can he used as a primary approach to infertility, or in conjunction with acupuncture and IVF treatment. A recent Australian study has shown that when homoeopathy was used with 54 women with infertility problems, either on its own or in tandem with IVF, 54 live birth folowed.

Conception without IVF Treatment

While having been a godsend for a huge number of women, IVF treatment can be both traumatic and physically and emotionally stressful. Although a great boon, IVF treatment often entails using very powerfull orthodox medical drugs and some of these drugs will most likely have long term health implications on the women who use them. IVF treatment is still a relatively new medical science and one whose long term effects are unknown, so if we can bring about conception naturally or with safe natural medicines, that has to be the route of choice.

At the CMC we see many women become pregnant through the combined use of IVF, acupuncture and herbal medicine. A significant number of our infertility patients have become pregnant using only acupuncture and herbs without IVF, so it is always worth considering the acupuncture and herbs only route.

Smoking and its effect on Fertility Treatment  

We all know that smoking is bad for general health. We NOW KNOW how damaging it can be on the outcome of IVF, ICSI or IUI treatment.

A new report has brought together evidence from a number of studies and come to the clear conclusion that the effects of smoking are worse than expected, and it is important to be aware of the damaging consequences.

The results show

Smokers have a 50% LESS chance of a clinical pregnany than a non-smoker.

Smokers have a 2.7 MORE chance of having a miscarriage than a non-smoker.

Smokers are 15 TIMES more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy than a non-smoker.

At the Complementary Medicine Centre we give full support and advice to those who want to stop smoking. We have on offer a full range of treatments including acupunctre, hypnotherapy and homoeopathy.