ivf

Why Working with an Acupuncturist Creates Better Live Birth Rates in an IVF

Why Working with an Acupuncturist Creates Better Live Birth Rates in an IVF

Many studies demonstrate that acupuncture helps improve outcomes when performed during IVF retrieval cycles and embryo transfer cycles. It also helps manage the intense stress and anxiety that can go along with struggling to conceive. The potent combination of IVF treatments, which increase the odds of creating and transferring chromosomally healthy embryos and using acupuncture to support each stage, improves pregnancy rates. But as demonstrated in Dr. Hullender Rubin’s study, working with an acupuncturist in the months leading up to and including IVF retrieval and embryo transfer cycles helps those pregnancies turn into healthy babies and mothers. For patients who need more in-depth nutrition/meal planning, bodywork, and talk therapy to manage their journey, Lily + Horn also has an in-house fertility-focused nutritionist, massage therapist, and talk therapists.


Superfoods to Snack on for Fertility and During IVF Cycles

Superfoods to Snack on for Fertility and During IVF Cycles

We’ve compiled a list of superfoods and snacks to emphasize to enhance fertility, especially during IVF cycles as they are packed with nutrients like antioxidants, selenium, collagen, Omega 3 oils, choline, vitamins and minerals. Stock your home/office with these delicious snack foods as your go-to treats between (and with) meals.

Can Entertainment Affect A Fertility Journey or IVF cycle?

Can Entertainment Affect A Fertility Journey or IVF cycle?

When we are laughing, our brain chemistry changes, increasing chemicals that make us feel happy. This also shifts our nervous system from the stressy “fight or flight” sympathetic-dominant state to the “rest and digest” parasympathetic-dominant state.  It’s hard to feel stressed when you are laughing! Acupuncture also helps shift the nervous system to the parasympathetic state, which is one of the reasons it is so helpful for fertility, especially IVF cycles and embryo transfer. While we are in a parasympathetic-dominant state, blood flow is naturally prioritized to the reproductive organs. So use your mirror neurons to your advantage by limiting your exposure to stressful stimuli and increasing your exposure to ones that make you laugh!

5 Simple Diet Changes to Improve Fertility

5 Simple Diet Changes to Improve Fertility

When we support fertility patients in our clinics, we always customize diet plans to cater to their needs and goals. For meal planning, we refer to our in-house nutritionist and dietician, but our Acupuncturists always go over diet in the first session and make suggestions that can improve overall health and fertility in each patient. While these suggestions are based on how each patient’s body and cycles are functioning, there are some common themes that form the foundation for a good fertility diet. If you are looking to make simple quick changes to your diet with maximum impact on fertility and IVF outcomes, here are our 5 most consistent tips.