Fertility Tips from Dr. Lorne Brown

Do you find it difficult to make time for exercise?

When you come to Acubalance purposely park 1-2 blocks away so it forces you to walk and get some fresh air.  This will also help prevent any frustration with respect to finding parking close by :o)

A brisk walk outside daily is considered exercise and beneficial for your health and fertility.

Lorne Brown, B.Sc., CA, DR TCM, FABORM
Founder, Clinical Director

Our building has a very slow elevator in our Vancouver location (Langley clinic is on the main floor. I have heard a few patinets lose their patience waiting for the elevator. They typically have some "Liver Qi Stagnation" (The Stuck type in Jill Blakeway's book, making babies).

Take the stairs, it is only two flights.  This will not only be a form of exercise  but it will help unstock your Qi since exercise is a great way to move Qi.  Plus you will not get your Qi in a know having to wait for an elevator :o)

Lorne Brown, B.Sc., CA, DR TCM, FABORM
Founder, Clinical Director

Thanks for the great post dr . This will keep all us healthy. Thanks for sharing your post with us.

Lots of cars have seat warmers.  They are fairly handy when you get into your car seat on cold winters day.  But for now maybe just allow your female partner to warm her tush unless she is pregnant.  Remember, sperm do not like too much heat and men are designed this way by having the testicles on the outside of the body to help keep them slightly cooler than the rest of our body. If you are female and pregnant I would not sit one of them either mind you.  So guys, keep the seat warmer off for the health your fertility.

Lorne Brown, B.Sc., CA, DR TCM, FABORM
Founder, Clinical Director

I have composed a list of products that I think can enhance your chances of conceiving.  All of these products can be pucrhased directly from the suppliers websites which we have included on each of the individual pages.  Please let me know which ones you find beneficial.

http://www.acubalance.ca/fertility-pregnancy-products

Lorne Brown, B.Sc., CA, DR TCM, FABORM
Founder, Clinical Director

A study at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have shown that many lubricants are toxic to sperm.

Make sure you use a sperm friendly lubricant.  Pre seed has been proven to not only be sperm freindly but also helps with male motility. 

Lorne Brown, B.Sc., CA, DR TCM, FABORM
Founder, Clinical Director

The egg begins to degenerate immediately after ovulation unless fertilized by a sperm.  It is good practice to have intercourse a few days leading up to ovulation so when a woman ovulates the sperm are already there ready to fertilize the egg.  Although only one fertilizes the egg, all the other sperm contribute to the one sperm making it through - team effort.

So remember, never keep a lady waiting.  Start having regular intercourse (every other day) about 5 days before you ovulate

Lorne Brown, B.Sc., CA, DR TCM, FABORM
Founder, Clinical Director

More and more evidence is mounting to support ACUPUNCTURE in conjunction with IVF for both transfer day and the week leading up to retrieval/transfer.
The most recent study objectively measured how acupuncture regulates the stress hormones cortisol and prolactin when administered twice a week for about 5 weeks before transfer to help improve pregnancy rates. The conclusion from the Fertility & Sterility journal is listed below.

Changes in serum cortisol and prolactin associated with acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer treatment
Paul C. Magarelli, M.D.,a Diane K. Cridennda, L.Ac.,b and Mel Cohen, Ph.D.a

Conclusion(s): In this study, there appears to be a beneficial regulation of CORT and PRL in the Ac group during
the medication phase of the IVF treatment with a trend toward more normal fertile cycle dynamics. (Fertil SterilÒ
2009;92:1870–9. Ó2009 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)

There have been several studies demonstrating acupuncture alone on the day of transfer improves pregnancy rates.  The above study supports using acupuncture during the medication phase of an IVF.  It will take time, but eventually we will also find more evidence that entering a preconception programs several months before an IVF is also beneficial.  Check out the acubalance.ca website for lifestyle and diet tips as well as Jill Blakeway’s book, Making Babies.

Lorne Brown, B.Sc., CA, DR TCM, FABORM
Founder, Clinical Director

Several years ago in the late 1990's or early 2000's I was one of many presenters at the Annual Aims conference held at UBC.  I had the good fortune to hear Dr. Andrew Weil (You probably have seen him on Larry King Live or read one of his books) present the key note address and take the time to teach us all a very simple and effective breathing technique for distressing.  I often share this with couples during their acupuncture treatment or when I do community talks.  Here is a description of the process...

•    Tongue to the roof of your mouth just behind your front teeth during the full exercise
•    Exhale all the air in your lungs to start
•    Breathe in through your nose for a count of 4 (as slow as comfortable possible - start with 4 seconds (one second for each count)
•    Hold your breath for a count of 4
•    Exhale through your mouth for a count of 8
•    Repeat this 5 times

At first you may feel light headed and many even find it "difficult" at first.  I encourage you to continue to practice this relaxation technique for the next 3 weeks. Use it as the first thing you do in the morning and as you are falling asleep at night as well as throughout the day when feeling stressed (tight chest or maybe you are even holding your breath). My favourite is when I am waiting in line and I am in rush... I just remember to breath.  It may not make the line go faster but it can keep you relaxed.  Remember stress directly and indirectly can direct blood flow away from your reproductive organs so being relaxed is not only good for your health but for your fertility.
Inhale for 4, hold for 4 and exhale for 8.  Since it is your breath it is always with you so you can do it anywhere and it is free!!!

Lorne Brown, B.Sc., CA, DR TCM, FABORM
Founder, Clinical Director