How do you know when you are ovulating? I ask my patients this question all the time! We are often told that ovulation occurs on day 14 of the menstrual cycle. However, this is rarely the case, even for those who have a regular 28 day cycle. Let’s explore the hormonal fluctuation that occurs during ovulation and the key signs to
We welcome individuals, couples, and members of the LGBTQI community, providing tailored, holistic care that meets the unique needs of each person we serve.
Support Pregnancies with Chinese Medicine and Herbal Medicines
Led by Kirsten Wolfe, our clinic has stood as a cornerstone for fertility care and women’s health for over two decades. Nestled in the heart of the Mornington Peninsula, our practice boasts an exceptional team of experienced practitioners dedicated to providing comprehensive, integrative care for individuals and couples embarking on their fertility journey.
At Mornington Chinese Medicine, we understand that every fertility journey is unique. That’s why we offer an array of specialized services tailored to meet your individual needs. From acupuncture, Chinese medicine, and BBT charting to personalized nutritional and lifestyle recommendations, our dedicated team strives to enhance your overall health and fertility.
THE FERTILE LIFE™ PROGRAM was designed by Kirsten Wolfe who has successfully been supporting people on their fertility journey for over 24 years. It is an accumulation of her study and clinical experience and unique knowledge.
Kirsten lectures World wide, training Acupuncturist in The Fertile Life Method. The Fertile Life Method is a very effective all-natural fertility treatment program for helping people conceive, sustain a full term pregnancy, and deliver a healthy baby.
The treatment methods used by our practitioners at Mornington Chinese Medicine integrate Traditional Chinese Medicine & Western Medicine with an extensive referral network of practitioners, gynaecologist and fertility specialists to enhance reproductive health care, so that our patients have the best odds for conception and pregnancy.
These programs perfectly complement conventional, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) which include procedures such as in-vitro fertilization for greater chances of success.
Please read on, and also visit www.fertilelife.com.au for more information on our fertility services
Acupuncture Treatment to Enhance Fertility Outcomes
We approach infertility holistically - our approach to treating infertility is based both on the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine and on the solid foundation of western medical science. A diagnosis of infertility by your Gynaecologist helps to define the nature of your infertility. We then take this diagnosis and complement it with the holistic diagnostic techniques of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Our treatment plan is then developed from both of these two techniques for diagnosis.
Our Fertility Program provides a course of treatment which includes Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, supplementation of vitamins as required. The program provides both couples and individuals who have been experiencing primary or secondary infertility with a comprehensive program of natural treatment options to conceive and achieve a successful, healthy pregnancy.
We know that many people feel that time is running out. This sense of urgency is understandable but unfortunately often leads to greater levels of stress and paradoxically reduces chances for a successful pregnancy. We understand and we empathize. Our approach differs however, in that we do not try to force a result. Instead we work harmoniously with mind and body to create a more normal equilibrium, conducive for conception.
Our approach can metaphorically be seen as a way to gently turn back the hands of time with regard to an individual's reproductive condition. Attempting to reach this goal will require more than just taking an overnight pill; it will first need a well formulated treatment plan.
The Fertility Program is conducted over a three to eighteen month period. This program was developed to gently but effectively return each client to their individual optimum reproductive state. It is initially conducted over three months in order to maximize the therapeutic changes that are necessary before the body can make the required corrections.
Areas that can benefit from Traditional Chinese Medicine
Regulating the Menstrual Cycle
A regular cycle is between 28 to 30 day cycle. When in good health there will be no premenstrual symptoms (PMS, bloating, breast tenderness or period pain) or mid cycle spotting.
Improving the Quality of a Woman's Fertile Mucus
Cervical mucous is extremely important as it aids the sperm to swim into the fallopian tubes. Without it sperm will die before arriving at their destination. Cervical mucous is produced a few days before ovulation so the sperm can be waiting within the fallopian tube when the egg is released.
Regulating Ovulation
Ovulation occurring between days 13-15 is optimal. Acupuncture can help regulate ovulation if you are early or late
in your cycle.
Promoting an Efficient Menstrual Bleed
In traditional Chinese medicine the menstrual bleeding reflects the quality of the uterine lining. This lining appears important for implantation as women with poor endometrial development have an association with IVF failure or recurrent miscarriage.
Chinese medicine aims to increase the thickness and quality of this lining. It does this through promoting corpus luteal function (which in turn produces progesterone) and through its documented action of increasing blood flow to the uterus (Human Reproduction 11:1314-1317). Ideally it is expected that a woman will experience menstrual bleeding for at least
3 to 5 days - fresh red blood with no clots.
Enhancing Egg Development
While the genetic material for a woman's eggs are created when the woman is herself an embryo, the process of the egg maturing comes under the influence of her hormones. Clinically, it also appears possible to influence the integrity of the eggs released following acupuncture treatment. This may be due to increasing the blood supply to the developing follicles or by increasing the nutritional supply to the egg via the fluids that surround and nourish it.
Improving Sperm Quality
Normal sperm count values are currently given as:
A population study looking at men's fertility found that those men that succeeded in fathering a child had:
***(New England Journal of Medicine 345(19):1388-1393).
This study indicates the importance of men achieving the highest sperm count and motility possible.
Five Ways to Tell When You’re Ovulating By Giulia Crema
Being in sync with your menstrual cycle by Kerry Marshall
I acknowledge that some individuals born with wombs may not identify with the word woman. But for the purpose of this blog I will use the word woman/women when discussing menstruation. The Moon Once upon a time before electricity, women’s menstrual cycles would be in sync. The light of the full moon would trigger ovulation and they would bleed together
The Big O by Caz Butler
The big ooooooooo – no, I’m not talking about orgasms, but you can find a thorough discussion on that scintillating topic right here. Despite the fame of the period, ovulation is the main event of the menstrual cycle. This is a much recycled phrase you’ll hear all over the internet whenever someone is educating people about the menstrual cycle. It is
Is Stress Harming Your Fertility and Causing PCOS symptoms?
Is stressing about your diet and exercise routine ruining your fertility and causing PCOS symptoms? Believing that PCOS is solely genetic, due to excess weight, or simply caused by cystic ovaries, that can be treated using hormone replacement is a dangerous assumption that prevents many women from getting the help they need. While weight loss in women who are overweight may
Alcohol around conception and pregnancy – Simon Altman
Alcohol around conception and pregnancy At Mornington Chinese Medicine we have numerous lifestyle recommendations for the time when you are trying to conceive and also maintain optimal health. One of those recommendations for men or women is to totally cut out alcohol. This can sometimes be the most difficult step for some individuals, but the reasons behind this little piece of
The pre-IVF check list
There may be a few things to know before deciding to on IVF. Have the following things been checked & ticked off ? Have given you a diagnosis as to why you’re not falling pregnant naturally? If not this is a red flag. If you’ve been told you’re too old without having a day 3 hormone panel (face palm), don’t listen
We’ve got you Mumma; supporting your whole pregnancy journey
How Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture supports you through pre-conception, pregnancy, labour preparation & postpartum care. If you have been trying to conceive for 6 – 12 months without success and you partner’s sperm has been thoroughly assessed and passed with flying colours; which by the way is an increasingly rare occurrence, you maybe starting to wonder why its not happening?
Understanding PCOS
You’ve been told you have PCOS & been put on the pill ? to “regulate” your period (which is code for let’s shut off your ovaries until you want to get pregnant & deal with it then). Unfortunately this is a common case & it makes it hard as a practitioner to help until someone is ready to come off the
The Fertile Heart – Kerry Marshall, Acupuncturist
Kerry Marshall delves into the Heart of the fertility patient Women trying for a baby are one of the most compliant motivated patients I treat. Navigating through the abundant information about Fertility available to us can lead to a sense of control and knowledge, but in lots of cases confusion and overwhelm. What works for one person may not be
Thyroid Series Part #1: Why hyperthyroid may exist, even when results are “clear”.
So let’s back up a bit & let me introduce you to the thyroid. The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland in our neck that produces hormones which power all the cells of our body. Thyroid hormones regulates metabolism, so if there’s not enough hormone you can feel sluggish & hold on to weight & if there’s too much
Endometriosis and Chinese Medicine
I will premise this next statement with the fact that I have a three year old daughter who loves the Wiggles, and Emma Wiggle in particular. So when I found out that Emma Wiggle had to take time off due to Endometriosis pain, I felt so frustrated and wanted to yell, “I’m here, I’m here.” Why you ask, because there is
International Integrative Chinese Medicine Conference (IICMC) – Kirsten Wolfe, director at MCM and author ‘The Fertile Life Method™’
I am so excited to share that myself and Clare Pyers are running the very 1st International Fertility Conference is Australia. We are proud to have two IVF specialists speaking as well as international and Australian acupuncturists. The International Integrative Chinese Medicine Conference (IICMC) came about because we decided to join together on a project that inspires unity, support, collaboration, and sharing knowledge