Infertility is something which effects a large number of men and women in todays' society and in this article Aisling Killcoran of the Achieve Fertility group tells us more about the treatments and services available to these people.

In Ireland today, 1 in 6 couples are infertile, 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in miscarriage, 1 baby in 17 is malformed and 1 baby in 4 has learning difficulties (www.foresight-preconception.org.uk & www.nisig.ie) and those statistics are based on those couples who look for help. Reports of increased numbers of babies being born in Ireland in recent years may seem to challenge this, but proportionally, more men and women than ever before are struggling to have children.

Of course there are other factors affecting the birth rate in Ireland; the growing pattern of couples waiting to get married until well into their 30’s; waiting to be financially stable before starting a family, both parents needing to work full time and even the cost of housing.

A woman’s fertility declines gradually and almost imperceptibly over her reproductive life. This becomes noticeable over the age of 30 and accelerates between 35 and 40. In general, fertility levels are hugely decreased by the age of 45. The risk of miscarriage also increases with age; women between 25-29 years have a 10% risk, while those between 40-44 have a 34% risk of miscarrying.

Women are not the only ones who need to be aware of declining fertility rates as they get older. While the biological clock doesn’t quite affect men as it does women, stress, diet and environmental toxins such as pollution, paint fumes, smoking and even fluoride in public water can all impact on a man’s reproductive health.

Despite this seemingly bad news, there are many things that anyone considering having a baby can do to enhance their fertility. Increasingly, studies are proving that a healthy diet, managed stress levels and a balanced lifestyle are key factors in conceiving naturally.

Achieve Fertility is a team of 7 healthcare practitioners based in Dublin who have come together to offer a natural way of addressing infertility, either as an alternative to, or in conjunction with conventional treatments. Medical advice is on offer in addition to many holistic disciplines. The team consists of: Acupuncturists, Niamh O’ Brien and David Shipsey (who is also a herbalist and affiliated member of Zita West); Fertility Nurse, Anna Savino; Nutritional Therapist, Ruth Mckenna; Chiropractic Doctor Ros Drake; Psychotherapist and Hypnotherapist, Aisling Killoran and Reflexologist and Counsellor, Elizabeth Webb.

The aim of Achieve Fertility is to encourage the inner vitality of men and women who wish to have children. By bringing the body and mind into balance, optimum health can be obtained by suitable protocols tailored to each individual, providing a natural way to conceive or maximize the effect of IVF treatment. Achieve Fertility is based in Sandyford and is committed to helping those who are struggling to conceive or simply desire to be in peak mental and physical health for starting a family.

For more details please visit: www.achievefertility.ie
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