Conception We have worked with couples trying to conceive since 1999 and have shifted our emphasis from improving fertility to promoting vitality. Getting pregnant is so much more than sperm meets egg and we will use a combination of Fertility Acupuncture, SomatoEmotional Release, Fertility and womb Massage and self-care recommendations to explore the multi-faceted physical, emotional and psychological aspects of conceiving. We know that our reproductive system isn't considered vital during times of stress, and resources will be diverted to the more essential organs; so our treatment looks at how you can support your nervous system with the appropriate exercise, rest and nourishment for your particular constitution. We will look at your relationship with your menstrual cycle and facilitate a connection with the whole of the cycle; learning how to harness the power of each of the phases, and how to apply self-care techniques throughout the month. By working with the body and mind, we can support resilience and vitality, which will hopefully give you enough energy to have spontaneous love-making throughout the month, moving away from baby-making sex around the ovulation window.
Assisted reproduction We have worked with couples as they are going through IVF, IUI, ICSI, egg donor, sperm donor, surrogacy and adoption. If you are planning or have already started along your IVF journey we can complement the down-regulation and stimulation cycles as well as the egg collection and embryo transfer. We can support the physiological aspects of your treatment and work with any side-effects or emotional factors that may be involved. Alison is a part of a group of therapists who work alongside the medical team at Bourn Hall fertility clinic in Wickford.
Male factor It takes two to make a baby and the health of the sperm is just as vitally important as the health of the egg and womb. We can work to improve the count, motility or morphology of your sperm, as well as recognising how trying to conceive for many months or years can affect you psychologically. The sperm that helps to form a baby is being formulated 3-4 months previous to conception; we can look at any lifestyle factors that can be altered to help improve the sperm parameters.
Pregnancy We work very gently and respectfully with mums to help with any pregnancy-related niggles and can support you throughout the different stages of pregnancy. Physically, pregnancy can be quite the challenge, but we also facilitate a smooth emotional transition into parenthood. We promote post-natal recovery and emphasise the physical and emotional health of the new mum as being paramount to how she experiences the early months of parenthood.
And beyond..... Childbirth can certainly be a complex journey and a challenge for both mother and baby. On such a journey there are numerous possible factors that can cause potential long-term effects for a child. Paediatric CranioSacral therapy is a light-touch manual therapy that addresses restrictions in the craniosacral system - the membranes and fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Since this system directly impacts the nervous system, we find that imbalances or tensions can cause any number of sensory, motor or neurological issues. CranioSacral Therapy helps correct restrictions so your baby can more easily and naturally release the effects of stress.
Many of our clients are pleasantly surprised when they visit our clinic and find out that there is often a physical cause for their baby’s symptoms and that it can be easily treatable. During delivery the baby’s head is compressed and moulded to travel through the birth canal. The bones of the head are designed to flex and overlap during the birthing process. After delivery the head gradually un-moulds over the next few days. However, this un-moulding process may be left incomplete, especially if the birth has been difficult. Cesarean deliveries are not without some subsequent issues, the rapid change from amniotic fluid pressure to atmospheric pressure denies the baby its first spinal manipulation as it travels down the birth canal. In cases such as these Paediatric CranioSacral therapy can be particularly effective.