Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a naturally occurring metabolic cofactor in mammals that declines with age. Evidence suggests boosting NAD+ levels could improve egg quality and ovarian function (1,2,3,4). NAD+ is a large molecule and poorly absorbed through digestion, so injections or IV infusions are a preferred way to increase levels. Our team at Lily + Horn has collaborated with Reproductive Endocrinologists in New York City as well as experienced physicians who have been using NAD+ for years to create a dosage and protocol targeting ovarian function and egg quality
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.
The Best Tips for Supporting an Embryo Transfer
While an embryo transfer is a less intense procedure on our bodies compared to an egg retrieval, the stress is often much higher with transfers. So much energy, time and resources went into making an embryo, so it’s normal to feel some anxiety and to want to do everything possible to increase your chances of it working. There is a lot of information out there regarding advice for transfers, but not all of it is helpful. We want you to have the most accurate and effective tools to support your transfer cycles, so we put together our best tips based on current research studies and our 15 years of integrative experience supporting women through these cycles.
Navigating the Holidays when Struggling to Conceive
We know the holidays are typically sources of joy and gathering with loved ones. But when in the midst of a fertility struggle, these same gatherings and special days can be triggering and filled with anxiety and grief too. We joined together with our colleagues from The Calla Collective to give you some tips to make this time of year easier. Read on to learn diet tips, managing holiday stress and anxiety, and ways to use this time to prepare for getting pregnant in the new year.
IVF & Egg Retrieval Side Effects…What to Expect and How to Manage them Naturally
Patients are often hesitant to start an IVF cycle because they are afraid of potential nasty side effects and not being able to cope with all the hormonal changes, injections, and symptoms that come along with it. We are here to tell you that for the most part, our patients are pleasantly surprised that it’s not as bad as they expected! There are some common side effects you can expect, but they are generally mild and we’ve got some tips for managing them naturally!
Tips for Managing Anxiety and Processing Emotions while Trying to Conceive
Validating and processing emotions is far more important for optimizing fertility than faking positivity. Many of our patients feel guilt or shame for having negative emotions like fear and anxiety while trying to get pregnant or during an IVF cycle.
Struggling to conceive is hard on any person who experiences it and no matter how hard you, your doctor or any support person tries, we can’t control or force a pregnancy to happen exactly when or how we want it to. This is what makes infertility so tough, and it can create frustration, fear, anger, resentment, jealousy, shame, or despair. These emotions are normal! But they don’t feel very good, so we like to help our patients navigate THROUGH them, rather than resist or suppress them.
Endometriosis…the Hidden Cause of Many “Unexplained Infertility” Cases. How an Acupuncturist Can Help
Johns Hopkins Medicine estimates anywhere from 24-50% of infertility cases might be due to underlying endometriosis. Luckily, there are things you can do with or without a diagnosis if you suspect you might have it contributing to your fertility struggles. Here are some tips from a fertility acupuncturist and herbalist to help you navigate trying to conceive with this condition in the mix.
5 Tips for a Peaceful and Productive Egg Retrieval
You have prepared for months, done your injections, acupuncture and are filled with anticipation, angst, and probably some fear as retrieval day approaches. To minimize some of the negative thoughts running through your hormone-infused head, we have some suggestions (and reassurance). Read our 5 tips for a peaceful and productive IVF egg retrieval from our integrative fertility doctors.
This Ancient Philosophy on Miscarriage Makes So Much Sense
According to the American Pregnancy Association, around 25 percent of pregnancies result in a miscarriage. With this high rate—one in four—one would suspect women are miscarrying everywhere, and it would be more normalized, but most couples suffer in silence, and it is not uncommon for women to feel shame on top of the grief that goes along with it.
How to Talk to Someone Struggling with Infertility
Struggling to conceive can sometimes be the toughest challenge a couple goes through. Having the right support from friends and family can make a difference in quality of life during the journey. The following blog was written by Mary for the national blog MindBodyGreen.