Kathy Acupuncture Markham

Regular 28 days(25-35 days is a good range), little PMS, blood is bright red, no blood clots.

Bleeding phase:  most vulnurable and deficient time.  It is advised that you keep warm, feet warm, don't swim in cold water.  Nourish well.

Follicular phase:
The time frame between your mentrual flow and ovulation is called the follicular phase.  This is where the follicles grow and one follicle becomes dominant.  

So in TCM perspective, the follicular phase is considered the yin part of the cycle.

Your discharge for ovulation is best when it's clear and stretchy, this discharge helps facilitate sperm to enter the uterus.  In TCM, this is considered yin in nature.  If one lack in this substance, you are likely yin deficient.  Western drugs that interfere with cervical fluid are antihistamines, atropine, N-SAIDS, anti-depressants.

Ovulation phase: the dominant follicle releases an egg.  Egg lives for 6-12 hrs after its released.  Sperm can live for up to 5 days.  So the prime time for starting intercourse would be 5 days prior to ovulation, 2 days before would be most optimal.

Luteal phase:  the phase after ovulation.  In TCM perspective, this is considered more yang part of the cycle.

Generally, eating organic foods when possible is always a good call.  Avoid meats that's been treated with hormones or fish that contains mercury.  Eat more food with essential fatty acids, like soy products, wild caught salmon, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, basically winter vegetables and dark green vegetables.  Best to avoid(otherwise cut back) on caffeine and alcohol.

Foods to nourish kidney essence: chicken, duck, eggs, seeds, nuts, oysters, seaweed and algae.

Food that nourish blood/yin: Fruits: raspberries, blackberries, pineapples, grapes, apples.  Vegies: beans, turnip, greens. Protein: tofu, fish, chicken, soup stocks. 

Avoid: Spicy and pungent foods.

Foods that nourish yang: winter squash, ginger, grains, cabbage, kale.  Avoid cold foods, cold drinks.  

The goal is to restore balance and keep the body in balance.  Ideally its advised to start at least 2 months prior.  

Recent studies suggest that having acupuncture with your IVF or IUI can improve your chances of up to 65%(1).   Although we recommend treatments a few months prior to your IVF to address more underlying issues, studies have shown that even the few treatments around the time of IVF are beneficial and helps enhance the chances of pregnancy.

Especially for patients who has had previous miscarriages, I recommend acupuncture treatment up to the end of the first trimester.  I've found that those of my patients who are consistent with a weekly session of acupuncture are able to safely carry to full term.  Not only is it beneficial in supporting the pregnancy, it also alleviates symptoms such as nausea, headache, insomnia.  Those with autoinmune deficiency symptoms have found it a great support for their pregnancy term.

Yes.  We start with treatment as early as 32 weeks by using acupuncture and moxibustion protocols.