WHAT HAPPENS IN A FERTILITY ACUPUNCTURE CONSULTATION (AND WHY I ASK SO MANY QUESTIONS)
A fertility acupuncture consultation starts well before you arrive and doesn't end when you leave. I review your history and every test you've had in advance of the session, ask a lot of detailed questions on the day, and follow up with a written report and a treatment plan.
Why so many questions?
Fertility acupuncturists aren't just nosey. Well, some of us probably are, but that doesn't mean the questions aren't justified. People are often surprised by the level of detail in my intake form and the number of questions I ask at the first consultation. Questions about periods and ovulation seem logical. Questions about childhood illnesses, skin conditions and digestion, maybe less so. But I promise there's a reason for every one.
The reason is that I need to understand your whole system and how all the different parts work together, so I can plan your treatment and make recommendations on lifestyle, referrals and further testing. Your hay fever and psoriasis may not seem relevant to you, but to me they're an insight into how your immune system functions, which matters for implantation and pregnancy. The constant tiredness you've been told is normal could be linked to subclinical hypothyroidism or iron deficiency. A long-forgotten virus might be playing a part in why you aren't conceiving now.
Every sign and symptom is relevant. There's no such thing as TMI, and detailed answers are actively encouraged.
What happens, step by step
Before we meet. When you book an initial fertility consultation, you're sent a detailed intake form and asked for copies of all your test results to date. I really do mean all of them. I go through everything in detail before your appointment.
The initial consultation. We go over your history and results together. I ask more questions and clarify anything that's unclear or appears to be missing, from both a Chinese medicine and a Western medicine perspective. Then we do your first acupuncture treatment.
Your consultation report. Afterwards, I write up a full report. It covers my summary of your case, what your results to date mean, any additional testing I'd recommend, my acupuncture and lifestyle recommendations, and details of any referrals to other professionals I think are needed.
Your treatment plan. I then put together a full treatment plan with clear goals. It's a starting point, and it's adapted as treatment progresses and new information comes in.
Ongoing sessions and support. At each session we monitor your symptoms, check on any testing, and discuss results or appointments with other professionals, as well as doing your treatment. Things change quickly on a fertility journey, and unexpected questions come up all the time. I'm in contact by email or phone as needed, so you're not left waiting until your next appointment.
What this means for you
By the end of your first few weeks, you'll have a clear picture of where things stand, whether anything's been missed, what's worth investigating further and what your treatment is aiming for. That clarity comes from the questions.