Conceive is a clinic, established by acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist, Claire Battersby, which specialises in fertility, IVF support, gynaecological disorders and pregnancy care. The clinic is founded upon the growing evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in treating these conditions.
The clinic provides:
- preconceptual care to prepare for a healthy baby
- treatment, advice and support for male and female subfertility
- treatment, advice and support for recurrent miscarriage
- IVF preparation and support
- ante-natal care and the treatment of specific conditions encountered during pregnancy.
- post-natal care and recovery
- treatment of specific gynaecological disorders such as endometriosis and PCOS
At Conceive, Claire works closely with a team of doctors, gynaecologists, midwives and complementary health practitioners to offer a truly integrated service. Our aim is to provide you with the best possible treatment for your needs. In many cases, only one therapy may be needed; in some cases, you may benefit from a combination of therapies that work together to address the various aspects of your health. Our integrated approach aims to optimize the overall health and wellbeing of you and your partner, in order to maximize your chances of conception and ensure a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Treatment Programme
An initial consultation is given to review the patient’s complete medical history, taking into account lifestyle, general medical history, western medical test results, menstrual patterns, body basal temperature, nutritional, structural and emotional health. Where necessary we can arrange for blood tests, scans and semen analysis through our private GP; hair analysis to check for toxic metals; stool tests to assess intestinal health; or referral to a gynaecologist or male infertility specialist, with whom we can work closely throughout the treatment.
During pregnancy, we can refer to our independent midwife for ante-natal care. Or you may benefit from any one of our complementary therapies to treat symptoms encountered during pregnancy and to prepare for birth.
On the basis of the medical history and test results, comprehensive preconceptual, ante-natal or post-natal advice is given, and a unique treatment programme can be drawn up to address each patient’s individual needs. At Conceive, acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and nutritional therapy form the core of much of the treatment. To those seeking a purely natural approach, they can be used alone; but equally, they can be used to great effect in combination with western medical procedures. Where there is an emotional aspect to the condition, counselling or hypnotherapy might be used, or, in the case of problems of structural origin, cranial osteopathy or McTimoney Chiropractic might be appropriate. Yoga, pilates and massage are also offered to promote health and wellbeing before and during pregnancy.
Your treatment may incorporate one or more of the following:-
- acupuncture
- Chinese herbal medicine
- western medicine
- nutrition
- midwifery
- hypnotherapy
- western herbal medicine
- counselling
- chiropractic
- cranial osteopathy
- reflexology
- pregnancy massage
- lymphatic drainage massage
- yoga
- pilates
Referral to Gynaecologists or Male Infertility Specialists
Conceive has links to some of the UK’s leading specialists in gynaecology and male infertility. Many of these specialists favour our integrated approach to treatment and actively encourage their patients to support their western medical treatments with complementary medicines to boost their overall health and wellbeing. Where necessary, Conceive can refer patients to these specialists with whom we work closely throughout the course of treatment. Chinese medicine can be used both to support western medical treatment and mitigate its side-effects.