Regardless of IVF Egg and sperm quality and uterine lining are important for healthy baby

I think of my role as a fertility navigator discussing all the possible options available to couples and supporting them in the decision and path they choose.  The Chinese medicine and acupuncture approach is to optimize the fertility of the man and woman to increase the chances of a HEALTHY live birth either from natural conception or ART like IVF/ICSI.

Chinese medicine works on the building blocks.  The environment that helps the egg and sperm reach their maximum potential.  IVF works on the structural and a very important aspect of fertility, it gets the egg and sperm together.....conception.  We need sperm and egg to get together to create life.  But once they "meet" it is up to the inherent wisdom contained in the sperm and egg that "choose" to fertilize to become an embryo and then a human being (see video below).

I am going to repeat my point about how IVF and Chinese medicine compliment each other as this is the motivating force behind my desire of integrative fertility care.  IVF gets the sperm and egg together and it does this better than anything else, including the old fashion way.  But it offers little influence in how the cells divide and create life. This potential was set during the preconception period (months leading up to fertilization) This is such a complex and still mysterious process that we have yet to fully comprehend it.  Chinese medicine supports this process by optimizing the health potential of the individual which includes the egg and sperm.  Chinese medicine does not try to override this process but rather support it. IVF purposely overrides it in order to stimulate as many follicles as possible.  Together, Chinese medicine and IVF can be used together to have a healthy baby.  Chinese medicine first to get healthy and balanced to optimize your fertility with the goal of your egg/sperm reaching their fertility potential. Also, a receptive and nutrient rich uterine environment to nourish and support the developing baby through the 9 months of pregnancy.  And then there is  IVF to bring egg and sperm together and also to help pick the best "looking" embryo/blastocyst (even testing with PGD etc. to make sure no chromosomal abnormalities - again to help choose the best potential for a healthy baby) and transfer that back into a welcoming uterine environment (using acupuncture to help with blood flow and implantation)

This TED talk on conception helps supports my approach on why it is a good idea to support this process by using the preconception period to optimize your fertility.