My Mind's Ink

Our doctor is a proponent of a complete mind body approach. He recommends several complimentary programs while undergoing fertility treatments. We took part in a comprehensive package called Lifestreams which includes acupuncture, yoga, counseling, and a dietitian. I think of it as the “fire all guns” tactic.

I wasn’t present for the acupuncture, but Michelle said it was interesting and relaxing. She had four sessions and would recommend it.

We had a private session with a lovely woman for yoga. It was calming and we both enjoyed it. Lots of stretching that Michelle could do now, and when she is pregnant. She also might go to the yoga for fertility classes.

We sat down and told our story to a counselor who was nice, and helpful. She gave Michelle tips for relaxation and for how to keep her sanity during the 12 days between Implantation and the Pregnancy Test. It was a reassuring hour we spent talking to someone who understands and is interested in how this is affecting our lives.

We spent an hour reviewing our eating habits, well Michelle’s, I can eat Cheezy Puffs three meals a day and it makes no difference. The dietician kept things simple, gave us good background information, and made some easy suggestions on how to improve our diet. We both think it was time well spent, and Michelle went on to read a book she suggested.

Under the advanced medical science category, Michelle underwent a uterine biopsy. Normally they are used to obtain a tissue sample for testing. In this case it was done on the chance it would help Michelle get pregnant. There is some preliminary data that suggests this may increase the success rate of IVF. The risks are minimal and it looks promising, so the doctor recommended it, and we agreed.

Michelle finds her work stressful, and this is already difficult, so she has taken three weeks off work for this attempt. It’s good to feel like we are holding nothing back, that everything that can be done, is. It sets us up for an even bigger fall, but worrying about that is no way to think. If IVF beats us again we are going down swinging.

Science Stuff and Resources

Limited evidence points to a possible link between uterine biopsies performed prior to an IVF cycle increasing the odds of a pregnancy. Further studies are being conducted, nothing is conclusive yet, but initial data seems promising. The biopsy holds limited risk and some doctors are offering it to their patients prior to the results of a large scale study being conducted to prove the positive effect.

• Globe and Mail article on the use of uterine biopsy to increase chances of IVF pregnancy
• Similar article at Haaretz.com
• Clinic Trial at McGill University Health Center

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