Course Overview
This course goes beyond the fundamentals of an undergraduate course and provides a level of detail not found in most Chinese medicine texts on fertility. While staying true to the ideals of Chinese medicine, Robin provides information from modern bioscience on the processes of fertilization, implantation and embryonic development that can be used to enhance and refine our treatment approaches. It covers the many aspects of male and female reproductive health that affect fertility, the many steps needed to achieve conception, and the barriers that need to be overcome to achieve established pregnancy. These include immune mechanisms, sperm-zona pellucida binding, DNA fragmentation, trophoblast function and dysfunction, and discussion of the mechanisms of endometriosis, epilepsy, PCOS and its connection to epilepsy, and how these conditions interfere with conception and implantation. Issues of male reproductive health and the global decline in male fertility are discussed. Robin shares clinical treatment approaches and formulas of 24 case studies covering a wide range of patterns, ages and conditions, each with its individual formula modifications, and offers practical advice that you can implement in your own clinical practice.
Course Objectives
- Understand historical Chinese medicine knowledge of fertility. Know the requirements for conception from a Chinese medicine and a biomedical perspective. Understand the stages of embryonic development in the first trimester
- Acquire a deeper understanding of differential diagnosis and treatment strategies needed to support both male and female reproductive health. Understand the factors affecting conception and sustained pregnancy and the phenomena of superfertility
- Hurdles encountered from conception to birth: conception, miscarriage, immune mechanisms, DNA fragmentation, epilepsy, PCOS, endometriosis, endometrial thickness etc. Understand the effects of the morning after pill as against mifepristone
- Understand IVF drugs and their functions and various IVF protocols; Effects of age on fertility; Egg freezing; IVF costs and success rates; Acupuncture research protocols; Protocols vs holistic treatment
- Understand the effects of vaccination on pregnancy and reproductive health
Course Outline
0 hrs - 15 minHistory of Gynaecology and fertility in Chinese medicine (slides 15-28) Literature; Anatomy; Pillow books; Infertility; Conception - as described in classic texts.
15 min - 30 minOverview of fertility, conception and pregnancy. Definitions and fertility rates; Infertility vs subfertility; Prerequisites for conception in Chinese medicine; Biological requirements for conception and pregnancy
30 min - 2 hrsAssisting fertility - Male and female reproductive health; Diagnosis and treatment. Perspectives of Chinese medicine; Differential diagnosis; Chinese medicine strategies; Ovarian loss; Global decline in global sperm health. Case studies.
2 hrs - 3 hrsPhysiological foundations for fertility. Factors affecting conception; Tian Gui; Male and female reproductive health; Cervical mucus (functions and types); Tubal health; Endometrial health; Male and female factors affecting conception. Case studies.
3 hrs - 4.5 hrsThe first trimester: Follicular development; Spermatogenesis; Antisperm antibodies; Ovulation; Fertilisation; Implantation: Embryonic development; Tubal transport & nutrition; Trophoblast function/dysfuntion; The morning after pill vs mifepristone
4.5 hrs - 6.5 hrsIVF protocols: Statistics and acupuncture research; IVF drugs and their functions, protocols, costs, success rates. Effects of age on fertility; Egg freezing; Acupuncture research protocols; Protocols vs holistic treatment; Case study.
6.5 hrs - 8.5 hrsThe journey from conception to established pregnancy. Embryonic development; Ectopic pregnancy; Abortion & miscarriage - causes: luteal defect, PCOS, diabetes, DNA fragmentation, immune mechanisms, APS, endometrial thickness, age; Case studies
8.5 hrs - 10 hrsFactors in conception and sustained pregnancy (Part A): Endometriosis, PCOS, Epilepsy, Case studies
10 hrs - 11.5 hrsFactors in conception and sustained pregnancy (Part B): Infections; Diabetes, Thyroid disease, Abdominal complications; Abruptio placentae; IUGR, Pre-eclampsia; Menstrual irregularity; Lifestyle factors; Case studies
11.5 hrs - 12.25 hrsEffects of vaccination on pregnancy and reproductive health. Considerations: Pros and Cons; Separating fact from fiction; Sorting out the half-truths; Hypothesis vs substantiated fact
12.25 hrs - 13 hrsSuperfertility: Superfetation; Superfecundation; Useful herbal formulas to consider, Case study analysis
Teacher
Robin is a registered herbalist and acupuncturist, having completed internships at Chinese hospitals in Guangxi and Xi’An where her focus was on gynaecology. She is lecturer, practitioner and is author of “Gynaecology Revisited” and co-author of “Shang Han Lun Explained”.
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Approved by: Standard Certificate, NCCAOM,
Course Type: Studio Recording
Course Length: 13 Hrs.
Course Credits: 13 CPD
Course Notes: Notes are provided with this course.
Access Period: Lifetime
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Note
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