At The Nest Clinic, fertility care is more than preparing the body for conception, it’s supporting the whole person through the physical, hormonal, and emotional journey of trying to conceive.

Our practitioners work collaboratively across Acupuncture & TCM, Naturopathic Medicine, Nutrition, and Lymphatic Drainage to give you deeply personalized, evidence-based care designed to optimize your cycles, regulate hormones, reduce inflammation, and improve implantation potential.

Whether you’re trying naturally, undergoing IUI/IVF, or preparing your body postpartum for future pregnancies, we support you at every step.

Acupuncture for Fertility (Traditional Chinese Medicine)

Acupuncture has been widely researched for its role in fertility support. Evidence shows it can:

• Improve blood flow to the ovaries and uterus (helping follicle development and endometrial receptivity).

• Regulate the menstrual cycle and support ovulation.

• Reduce cortisol and sympathetic nervous system activation, improving hormonal balance.

• Support IVF outcomes—studies show benefits in anxiety reduction, embryo transfer support, and uterine blood flow.

When to start: Ideally 3 months before trying to conceive, IUI, or IVF (one full folliculogenesis cycle).

How often:

• Preconception: 1×/week

• IVF Cycle: 1–2×/week, with specific protocols for stimulation, retrieval recovery, and transfer day

• Early pregnancy: Weekly for the first trimester, if desired

Our TCM doctors also assess patterns such as blood deficiency, qi stagnation, yin/yang imbalance, and inflammation to tailor herbal and lifestyle support when appropriate.

Naturopathic Medicine for Fertility

Our naturopathic doctors blend functional medicine with evidence-based natural therapies to support hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive health.

Key areas of support include:

• Comprehensive hormone testing and cycle tracking

• Thyroid, autoimmune, and metabolic assessment

• Preconception nutrient optimization (folate, CoQ10, vitamin D, omega-3s, NAC, antioxidants)

• Treatment of luteal phase defects, anovulation, PMS/PMDD

• PCOS support (insulin sensitivity, androgens, ovulation).

• Endometriosis inflammation management

• Sperm health optimization (motility, morphology, oxidative stress)

Why it's effective: Fertility is highly sensitive to inflammation, nutrient status, thyroid function, gut health, and metabolic balance — ND care helps identify and correct the underlying disruptors.

When to start: 3–6 months preconception.
How often: Every 4–6 weeks for treatment planning, with more frequent visits during active cycles or protocol changes.

Clinical Nutrition for Fertility

Nutrition plays a foundational role in egg quality, sperm health, implantation, and hormonal balance.

Our nutrition practitioners provide individualized support in:

• Anti-inflammatory fertility diets

• Blood sugar regulation for PCOS or irregular cycles

• Supporting luteal phase and progesterone production through targeted nutrients

• Optimizing microbiome health (linked with implantation success)

• Guiding supplementation for egg and sperm health (CoQ10, NAC, myo-inositol, choline, antioxidants)

Why it matters: Research shows that diet patterns rich in omega-3s, antioxidants, fibre, and low glycemic load are associated with higher conception rates and better outcomes in ART cycles.

When to start: Anytime, ideally 3 months preconception.
How often: Every 4 weeks, with additional sessions during IVF dietary planning or metabolic balancing.

 

Lymphatic Drainage for Fertility

Our specialized lymphatic therapists use soft, rhythmic techniques to reduce inflammation and support the body’s detoxification pathways.

Benefits for fertility:

• Reduces systemic inflammation that can impact ovulation and implantation

• Supports immune balance (important in endometriosis, recurrent loss, autoimmune patterns)

• Improves circulation to the reproductive organs

• Reduces bloating, fluid retention, and stress — all helpful during IVF stimulation

• Supports postoperative recovery after laparoscopic procedures or retrieval

When to start: Can be started immediately, especially helpful alongside acupuncture and naturopathic care.
How often:

• Preconception: Every 2–4 weeks

• During IVF stimulation: Weekly for swelling, circulation, and stress

• Post-retrieval or post-surgery: As tolerated, usually within 3–10 days

How Our Collaborative Model Supports You

Your fertility journey is unique. That’s why we take a whole-system, team-based approach, where practitioners share notes, coordinate care, and guide you through every phase:

• Cycle regulation & ovulation support

• Preconception optimization

• Hormonal balancing

• PCOS/Endometriosis support

• IUI & IVF preparation

• Miscarriage recovery & emotional regulation

• Early pregnancy care

We treat the root, support the nervous system, optimize the body, and hold you with compassion — whether you are in your first month of trying, your fifth year, or preparing for a clinical cycle.

When to Begin Fertility Care

We recommend starting as early as feels aligned, but ideally:

• 3+ months before trying to conceive

• 3–6 months before an IUI/IVF cycle

• ASAP if you have irregular cycles, known diagnoses (PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid conditions), or have been trying for 6–12 months without success

If you are already mid-cycle or days away from retrieval/transfer, there is still plenty we can support.

Ready to Begin?

We would be honoured to support you.
Book your first Fertility Care session and let our team create a personalized plan for your body, your timeline, and your goals.

Your journey matters and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Fertility Care FAQ

1. When should I start fertility acupuncture or naturopathic care?

Ideally 3 months before trying to conceive or beginning an IUI/IVF cycle, as this supports one full cycle of egg development and endometrial growth. If you’re already mid-cycle or close to retrieval/transfer, we can begin immediately — treatment is still beneficial.

2. How often should I come for fertility acupuncture?

Preconception: Once weekly
IVF cycle: 1–2 times weekly
Transfer-specific support: Before and/or after embryo transfer
Regularity is important for improving blood flow, regulating hormones, and calming the nervous system.

3. Does acupuncture really improve fertility outcomes?

Evidence shows acupuncture can increase uterine and ovarian blood flow, regulate menstrual cycles, reduce cortisol, support ovulation, and improve endometrial receptivity. It is not a replacement for medical fertility treatment, but it is a well-researched adjunct that enhances both natural and assisted conception.

4. What does a naturopathic fertility plan include?

Your ND assesses hormones, thyroid health, metabolism, inflammation, digestion, nutrient status, and your full menstrual picture. Plans may include targeted supplements, cycle tracking, anti-inflammatory protocols, support for PCOS and endometriosis, sperm optimization, and preparation for IUI/IVF cycles.

5. Can lymphatic drainage really help with fertility?

Yes. Lymphatic therapy reduces inflammation, improves immune balance, enhances circulation, and helps regulate the stress response — all key factors in reproductive health. It is especially supportive for endometriosis, bloating, IVF stimulation swelling, recovery after procedures, and recurrent loss linked with inflammatory patterns.

6. What if I have a diagnosis like PCOS or endometriosis?

Our team is experienced in supporting complex fertility conditions.
PCOS: We address insulin resistance, cycle irregularity, ovulation support, and androgen-related symptoms.
Endometriosis: We focus on inflammation reduction, hormonal regulation, pain management, and supporting implantation.

7. Do you work with people undergoing IVF or IUI?

Absolutely. We coordinate care around stimulation cycles, retrieval, transfer, and early pregnancy. Acupuncture, naturopathic medicine, nutrition, and lymphatic drainage all support comfort, hormonal balance, stress reduction, and uterine receptivity throughout ART cycles.

8. What if I’m already working with a fertility clinic?

We regularly collaborate with REI specialists and clinics. Our goal is not to replace medical care but to complement it with evidence-based integrative support that optimizes the whole reproductive system.

9. Can my partner also come for fertility care?

Yes. Sperm health is highly responsive to treatment, and it improves over a 74–90 day cycle. We offer acupuncture and naturopathic protocols specifically designed to improve motility, morphology, DNA fragmentation, and overall sperm quality.

10. Is early pregnancy support included?

Yes. Many patients continue care during the first trimester for nausea support, stress reduction, immune balance, digestion, and preventing early pregnancy spotting or cramping. We tailor treatment based on your comfort and medical guidance.