Kim Child Acupuncture (2025)

Kim has been in practice for nine years and a member of the British Acupuncture Council (MBAcC). Her practice supports couples wanting to conceive naturally or assisted (IVF), restore balance during peri meno to menopause, reduce symptoms associated with gynaecological conditions such as Endometriosis and Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), undiagnosed painful menstrual issues and helping busy moms have enough energy to feel amazing.

04/08/2025

Understanding PCOS: Beyond the Basics

Before you read this article, I have a great guide in the free resource section on my website to help manage the symptoms of PCOS in my free resource section.

Polycystic O***y Syndrome (PCOS) doesn’t always wear the same mask. Symptoms can be as varied as the women it affects—ranging from irregular or sparse periods to heavy, unpredictable bleeding. Some women may stop menstruating altogether (a condition known as amenorrhoea).

What Exactly Are Polycystic Ovaries (PCO)?
Think of polycystic ovaries as ovaries with a crowd of immature follicles—tiny fluid-filled sacs, each up to 8mm in size, that never quite make it to the ovulation finish line. These follicles are the eggs that didn't burst free, and as a result, ovulation doesn’t occur.

PCO vs. PCOS: Not the Same Story
Let’s clear up a common misconception: having polycystic ovaries (PCO) is not the same as having polycystic o***y syndrome (PCOS).

PCO refers to the presence of multiple cysts visible on ultrasound. It’s a reproductive hormone imbalance. PCOS, on the other hand, is a complex metabolic disorder that impacts the entire body, from digestion to reproduction. You can have PCO without the full syndrome and vice versa. Diagnosis requires a closer look: PCO is confirmed through ultrasound, while PCOS is pieced together through symptom history and ultrasound findings.

The Rotterdam Criteria: A Diagnostic Map
To be officially diagnosed with PCOS, a woman must meet at least two out of these three criteria (known as the Rotterdam Criteria):
1. Irregular or absent ovulation
2. Elevated levels of male hormones (androgens), which may show up as acne or excessive hair
3. Enlarged ovaries with 12 or more follicles visible on ultrasound

Two Faces of PCOS
PCOS isn’t one-size-fits-all. The condition presents in different ways, including two common types:

Type 1: Regular cycles and fertility, but signs of excess androgens and polycystic ovaries

Type 2: Irregular periods and polycystic ovaries, but normal androgen levels

Did you know acupuncture may be able to help reduce symptoms and, for those trying to conceive, may help improve fertility?
PCOS is a condition that affects women's hormone levels.

The main symptoms include:
Infrequent or irregular periods
Excess androgens (sometimes called "male hormones”) which can lead to symptoms like excess hair and acne
Polycystic ovaries
Weight gain
Hair thinning
Reduced fertility

How Acupuncture Can Help PCOS:
Research suggests several ways acupuncture might help women with PCOS.

Hormone Regulation: Acupuncture has been shown to help balance the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. It can lower high levels of androgens and improve the levels of other hormones involved in the menstrual cycle.

Improved Blood Flow to the Ovaries: This may help improve ovarian function and the health of the eggs.

Reducing Stress: Acupuncture is known to help reduce stress. Since stress can worsen PCOS symptoms, reducing stress can help manage the condition better.

Improving Insulin Sensitivity: Some studies suggest that acupuncture might help improve how the body uses insulin. Since many women with PCOS have insulin resistance (where the body doesn't use insulin effectively), improving insulin sensitivity can help manage symptoms and reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

Decreasing Inflammation: PCOS is associated with low-grade inflammation, and acupuncture might help reduce inflammation in the body, which could improve symptoms. [Reference]

Whether you’re trying to manage your PCOS in order to get pregnant or simply want to regulate your hormones and your cycle, I hope you’ll consider adding acupuncture to your wellness routine.

If you have questions, send me a message. I know PCOS is complex and I'm happy to talk with you before setting up an appointment.

28/07/2025

Struggling to get pregnant? Tips from a fertility acupuncturist with 13 years of experience.

As an acupuncturist I was trained to study ever facet of a patient’s health including digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular, urinary, musculoskeletal, energy levels, body temperature regulation, memory, concentration, headaches and sleeping patterns. This allows me to form a deep understanding to create a unique plan for each person.

During a whole year, a woman has up to thirteen opportunities to conceive depending on the length of menstrual cycle. This varies, some women with longer cycles could have only half of those chances. Knowing this information lets go through some common issues I see in practice.

Are you having s*x at the right time?
The average time of ovulation falls anywhere from day 11 to day 16. Lots of women use app’s to tell them when their fertile peak arrives but I suggest ditching the phone to observe how you feel (libido) and cervical mucous changes. After your period (Day 6 to 9) wear black underwear to notice the shift from dry to stretchy egg white looking mucous. This is called ‘spinnbarkeit’, this is fertile mucous which the body creates at this magic time to allow s***m to travel easily to the egg. If this discharge isn’t in balance (thick & pasty) you likely have damp in the uterine pathways which will block conception. Having an or**sm after your partner is also a very important step. The contraction of the uterine muscles assists in the s***m moving further into the uterus.

LH surge strips can also be used as an indicator of ovulation. The LH surge begins around 36 hours before ovulation. Once the egg is released, it survives about 24 hours, then the fertile window shuts. For women who have unpredictable cycles these tests can cause more harm than support so I wouldn’t suggest using them, stay out of overwhelm it will stop you from conceiving.

Start to have s*x every second day around Day 7/8.
The fertile peak can be a mysterious space of time, but medical evidence points to a 5 day window. S***m can live in the uterus for up to 5 days! (But the egg’s window is 12 to 24 hours). The target is to have s*x five times before ovulation and one day after ovulation.

A word about BBT charting
This is tool used by most fertility acupuncturists when working with a natural cycle. BBT charting provides a deeper understanding of the underlying patterns which might hinder conception. It’s starting to be more recognised from a western perspective, some important patterns become apparent around month three of charting. If your temperatures seem to be to low throughout, you might need to get some tests run. This could be an issue with an under active thyroid or low progesterone.
Click here for my download on tracking your fertile peak

Miscarriage(s)

Did you know in the UK a woman must endure three miscarriages before the NHS will refer on to the fertility unit?
This is another massive benefit of receiving acupuncture treatment. Miscarriage is considered a serious issue requiring a succinct diagnosis and treatment plan. Fertility consultants will tell you just to keep trying each cycle, and in the case of IVF they often push for back to back rounds if no eggs are collected.

For women, we loose something called ‘vital energy’ (jing) which is another step up from just your normal sort of energy (qi) through conceiving children. Men loose this energy from ej*******on. Every miscarriage, termination, ectopic, assisted conception attempt and live birth count in terms of vital energy being consumed that you won’t get back.

If you have suffered from miscarriage I urge you to consider self care as your number one goal. It takes an immense amount of energy to conceive no matter if its early days or third trimeter. We are all allotted a certain amount of energy in this life. You’ll understand this concept if you have always been a low energy type. People with tonnes of energy often can’t get this concept.

Most women feel exhausted after a miscarriage. Vital substances (qi, blood, yin and yang) have been wiped out! Choices need to be made around food, exercise levels, social commitments and quality sleep. Additional complimentary therapies such as acupuncture, seeing a fertility nutritionist, reflexology and chinese herbs are often required to regain the vital components to conceive again.

I often get asked, but when can I try again? The chinese medicine gold standard is three months post loss with weekly to biweekly treatments to avoid the pattern repeating.

Once you conceive again, I highly recommend attending weekly acupuncture sessions until week 12 to 14 to ensure the development of the follicle to foetus, calm anxiety around the past events and support ‘upright’ energy (there is literally a set of points I use to strengthen upward energy to ensure the womb holds the pregnancy).

It’s not me… (NO, it actually is!)

It is estimated male factor sub fertility in the UK is 30% which is the same number as women. 40% of infertility cases are due to ‘unexplained factors’. I obviously run a female centred practice, however I do suggest both parties in a heteros*xual couple attend acupuncture. Despite 12 + years of practice I still hear the same old stories with each new female patient. ‘Oh, he’s really hesitant to get his s***m checked.’ He thinks everything is okay.’ No, I’m not kidding!

READ THIS part out to him… If you think it’s okay that your partner has felt deep sadness through months of not conceiving or suffering a miscarriage you better take a deep look at your commitment level to have a child. She has eaten all the right food 90% of the time, stopped having a glass or two when she feels like it, worked hard on her activity levels, has come to acupuncture and listened to your tales of woe about getting a simple test! Sorry to be blunt, but this mindset has to change.

FYI! For men who have already conceived with another partner it doesn’t exclude the possibility of a newly acquired sub fertility issue.

Acupuncture and s***m
As does with women, it takes around three months to support quality s***m. It’s important to have tests done close to starting acupuncture treatment for an improvement to be seen in semen parameters three months later. As with women, men have unique pathologies causing sub fertility. Lifestyle can play a big role! As you might expect, use of alcohol, recreational drugs (even past use), being over weight, smoking, exposure to toxins, occupational factors, poor diet, lack of exercise, stress and older age can all play a role in not conceiving.

The advice here: preparatory acupuncture is incredibly important to reduce the risk of a failed IVF round or miscarriage in the first trimester. Both partners need to get on board with lifestyle shifts during the period of trying to conceive. It could make the difference between your life long dream and the misery of too many health events which may require medical intervention.

PS: To the men: acupuncture needles are not like blood taking syringes. They are so fine you will barely feel them when I insert them into a point. If you are highly sensitive there even finer needles which can be used! Not a reason not to get acu tx.

How long will treatment take?
Great question, sorry I don’t have an answer. That’s how you can tell I’ve been doing this for awhile.

A woman’s cycle isn’t a mystery especially when we use a BBT chart for natural fertility. That being said, if you have been diagnosed with PCOS or have a erratic cycles it can take time to get into sync. What usually happens in tracking a cycle sometimes underlying patterns are revealed. Can acupuncture help correct a pattern? Yes it can. However, you may need additional help from a fertility specialist who isn’t trying to convince you to jump to IVF immediately.

There are some great medical interventions in the fertility space. Progesterone should be more readily available through the NHS, but often you have to go through the fertility unit. Over the years I have found that lack of progesterone at the later end of menstrual cycle holds back the process of implantation. This hormone is akin to the functions of yang. The womb needs warmth, excellent blood flow and the proper hCG surge to ensure a start to pregnancy. This is why 99% of assisted conception protocols include progesterone pessary until week 12.

Another common issue is lack of ovulation or months when the cycle skips. This can happen to women who don’t have a PCOS diagnosis as well. Sometimes Clomid can administered for a short time (3 months usually). Ultra sound is used to monitor follicle development to ensure this protocol is suitable.

Suggestion: try to get an appointment with a GP who listens to you. It’s often always better to bring a second person (partner or friend) to fertility related appointments so all the information presented can be recalled. Of course if you have a budget going private will often be a faster approach to forming a treatment plan.

A word about spirit…

Chinese medicine works on three levels at all times. Mind, body and spirit. This three fold approach is so important in every persons wellbeing. A woman’s spirit can become weakened overtime due to negative outcomes each month and losses she wasn’t aware she would face in life. I often hear, ‘we really didn’t think this would happen to us’.

I have witnessed amazing shifts in treating emotional elements around conceiving which ended up with beautiful babies. Always remember, there might be something physical impeding conception, but never underestimate your thoughts, self talk, spiritual commitment, self care, self love and love of how amazing and magical you are!

Common lifestyle issues which will impede conception for both partners!

Being run down
Male / Female One partner is too run down. Remember it take two to tango.
Healthy egg + Healthy s***m = baby
Becoming run down happens for a variety of reasons. If you know you are a person who catches everything and simply never gets a break you may need to work on immunity prior to conceiving. Yes to acupuncture, as well as a nutritionist who can support you with the correct choice of supplements. This can really make a difference!

Stress
Stress impedes the smooth flow of energy (qi). Energy then stagnates, causes deeper patterns of disharmony leading to varying fertility issues. Emotions become entrenched in the psyche leading to a domino effect of poor health.

Not dealing with miscarriage
There is physical toll, but more importantly there is an emotional toll. If feelings of grief and loss are suppressed physical symptoms start to happen. (remember the body, mind and spirit are not separate) Talking therapy is a great choice to work through these events. Obviously acupuncture and flower essence’s are excellent adjunct therapies. Journalling is your friend! It’s one of my top recommendations.

Not enough movement & exercise
Often life is super focused around our work. Many of us work in sedentary jobs sitting at screens for much of our working lives. What do you think this is doing to s***m and egg quality?
If you have this sort of job consider getting up for a walk each hour, purchase a moveable desk which allows to sit and stand, try getting some support from your company. Energy stagnation causes a bounty of symptoms! Fertility especially. In order to promote quality implantation each month after ovulation uterine blood must be moving. Sitting for hours impedes this function.

Avoid high level cardio exercise such as running and aerobics. Switch to gentle walking and yoga. High cardio exercise is not advised due to the adrenaline forming qualities which in turn releases cortisol. Over a period of time, cortisol has a negative impact on the body’s reproductive function. Try to practice regular meditations (mindfulness or manifesting meditations).

Relationship issues
It goes without saying, when getting pregnant becomes a longer process than anyone predicted plenty of emotions come knocking at the door. These might be in the form of childhood trauma, hang ups around s*x, self blame, lack of confidence in self and the relationship. You love each other, you didn’t bargain on how tough this process was going to be, no one does until they get there.

One thing I can say, you will make it through and your relationship will be much stronger. Communication is the key. If you struggle with word, consider writing down your thoughts and then speaking them aloud. Talking therapy is always a great support, even if you get someone to provide some tips on communication. Stagnated emotions block the qi of reproductive organs which can lead to the fertility journey being halted.

Poor nutritional choices
The ready made meal or store bought sandwich during the work week won’t do any damage. Think again. Food is medicine. Say it out loud with me: ‘Food is medicine’. The chinese have known this for thousands of years.
Reduce or stop cold, raw meals. Eat warm wholesome cooked meals. Drink room temperature water and warm herbal teas. The old acupuncture saying ‘you can’t grow a baby in a fridge’ is something to keep in mind. If we lived in the tropics of course guidance would differ.

Eat protein regularly to keep your blood sugar levels stable. If your blood sugar levels are not stable, this will cause your insulin levels to fluctuate which causes hormone in- balance.
Try to eat organic, especially meat and fish, avoid farmed salmon (almost all salmon is farmed unless otherwise stated) keep tuna and mackerel to a minimum. Lots of beans, ancient organic grains, green vegetables should be part of each days meals. Reduce or stop white stodgy breads.

In the world of Chinese Medicine, it’s always suggested to avoid dairy products because they cause phlegm and damp, which can cause blockages in the reproductive organs. Substitute cow’s milk with almond, rice or goats milk. If you love cheese, choose from goat or sheep products which do not create the same issues.
If your a current patient I do have specific guides on what to eat based on your diagnosis. These can be accessed if you email me.

Too focused on getting pregnant & every symptom during pregnancy

A bit of a double edged sword. Yes of course there will be a focus which is congruent to each persons unique situation. This is inevitable in the fertility journey. However, there are situations when obsession impacts mental and spiritual connection to the womb.

Case 1: a patient spent several hours searching on the web about every detail the type of IVF she was doing. Her mental functions were running her down, this caused an issue with her first IVF round. This obsession drained her of valuable energy for round 2.

Case 2: a patient became so focused on exactly every minor detail of her IVF case she eventually would only deal with the director of the unit and one specific nurse which was not warranted. She was so highly strung she almost lost the baby at week 34 due to extreme pre-eclampsia. In the end an emergency c-section was performed to save both.

Both patients were treated for thoughts edging on obsession, we all have been there with some facet of life! Even me. But I want to point out too much information often can become too much of a burden. Focus on the positives. Avoid Dr. Google.

In summary
Much of my beloved work is around connection and spirit, if these can flow freely then balance follows with quality eggs and s***m, a warm inviting uterine lining for implantation, the connection of the heart and womb in the pivotal time before confirmation of pregnancy, a smooth first trimester, a smooth second & third trimester. A woman who is ready to give birth and feels connected with very little anxiety, with a partner who is able to provide support during the birth. The smooth flow of life takes care of everyone when we can live in balance.
Thanks for reading through this, I know it was alot of information!

References

Did the NICE guidelines for progesterone treatment of threatened miscarriage get it right? Reproductive Fertility. April 7, 20222.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9066946/ #:~:text=NICE now recommend to 'offer,16 completed weeks of pregnancy’

Extent of the Problem, Alison Taylor, BMJ. 2003 August 2003
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC188498/

Acupuncture for IVF and Assisted Reproduction, Irina Szmelskyi and Lianne Aquilina. Churchill Livingstone. 2015.

1 in 6 people globally affected by infertility: WHO. April 4, 2023.
https://www.who.int/news/item/04-04-2023-1-in-6-people-globally-affected-by-infertility

How to Improve Male Fertility
Tommy’s. March 2, 2024
https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/planning-a-pregnancy/are-you-ready-to-conceive/how-improve-male-fertility

Fertility Investigations
Fertility Network UK.
https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/trying-to-conceive/treatment-overview/fertility-investigations/

Conception Tips
Fertility Network
https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/learn-about-fertility/factors-affecting-fertility/lifestyle-fertility/conception-tips/

30/09/2024

Hopefully you've had a few minutes to check out The Goddess Quiz to learn easy ways to support the various symptoms which crop up during the perimenopausal journey. The Midlife Foodie Guide (only £5.99!) is based on the healing benefits of Chinese nutritional therapy.

Why did I create The Midlife Foodie Guide??

We are all Unique
The food we choose to eat should be no different. Chinese medicine is based on treating the person not just symptoms. The foundation of the guide provides with supportive foods to reduce common place symptoms and boost energy based on your Goddess type. Why does this guide actually work?

Support your Metabolism
A strong metabolism, balanced hormones and great energy levels are intrinsically tied to the strength of the digestive system. The Midlife Foodie is presented with straight forward Chinese medicine concepts which are simple and to the point.

How to choose food for you
There is energy in every living thing as well as ourselves. Food and drink are no different. Learn the amazing knowledge of food energetics to balance your digestive system. The benefits are endless! A strong metabolism and healthy weight will become a natural state which will no longer seem like a challenge.

If this sounds interesting here are a few tips to get you started. If you don’t know your Goddess type simply pop over to the quiz. (Link above)

The Jade Goddess
You have hot flushes, can feel anxious, fidgety and may wake in the night with heat. (there are more symptoms but these are basics)
Eat foods with a higher water content as you tend to be low on fluids in the body. Think watery soups & stir fry’s. Choose veg like: (bok choy, choi sum, chicory, grapes, cucumber)

The Amber Goddess
You have a slow digestive system, you always feel cold, however you may have a few hot flushes which crop up. Your feel tired and struggle to get moving.
You need to boost warmth in your body! This will then flip the switch on in your digestive system. Choose warming foods in temperature (stews, soups, roasted & never cold or raw foods). Throw in some warming spices to your meals such as cinnamon, nutmeg, garlic, onions, basil & so many more you’ll learn about.

The Moonstone Goddess
You will have a very similar set of symptoms as the Amber goddess, but you wont feel as cold. Your energy isn’t what is was once. Somedays your feel okay other days you feel rubbish. Warming foods for you as well! Reduce cold raw foods, mainly choose meals that are cooked. The more we support our digestive system with cooked foods the more our energy builds.

The Garnet Goddess
Out of the all the Goddesses you are the most exhausted (sorry to say). You wonder how the heck you became this knackered! There are a few reasons from a Chinese medicine view. (these are explained in the guide). Learn to rest, do not push through events, house work, meetings etc. REST. Eating some quality red meat & leafy greens rebuilds blood. When YOU rebuild blood your energy will slowly return. Out of everyone your restoration will take the longest, be patient with yourself. Self care is the key.

10/09/2024

You may have heard of or taken Rescue Remedy as it’s the most well known flower essence world wide. Did you know there are 38 flower remedies created in the 1930’s by Dr. Edward Bach? Each flower essence was developed to support different emotional states.

Although flower essence are considered an emerging field of subtle energy medicine, they aren’t a new concept. Evidence suggests civilisations such as the ancient Egyptians and the Chinese have been applying nature in this way thousands of years ago. It is believed they may have collected morning dew as ‘medicine’ to heal restore energy fields of the body.

What is a flower essence?
A flower essence is created with a specific plant material. The process often involves blooms being placed in bowl of water on a sunny day to create a vibrational blueprint of the plants healing energy. This process creates a ‘mother essence’ which is bottled and preserved in organic brandy. This is then diluted to form stock which is sold in stores and to practitioners. Flower essences are not essential oils or a herbal tincture they are a vibrational energetic medicine.

If your a reader of my newsletters (simply sign up on my site) you may have taken my Goddess Archetype quiz. This is based around common symptoms experienced in perimenopause and menopause. The flower essence suggested are based the quiz, so pop over and find out your Goddess type now (it only takes 3 minutes).

Jade Goddess Flower Essence: Impatiens

Sometimes your superstar multi tasking can cause a bit of irritation and you might wonder why everyone is slower than you… Believe it or not there is an actual wild flower called Impatiens. You guessed it, it’s good for when you feel like you’ve had enough! This miracle essence will help soften your driven energy in a magic way. Working with others in ‘their’ timings will start to flow and you’ll feel more harmony with loved ones around you. Clarity will feel like a super power with the ability of your natural vision to shine through without the blurred memories of driving in the fast lane all the time.

Amber Goddess Flower Essence: Centuary

Your an earthy optimist who often helps until you run out of energy. Eventually you end up feeling tired of giving everything to others. Energy starts to run out and feelings of resentment may brew up to a point of no return, even Mother Teresa would tell you to take a break. Centaury is for those who need stop and nourish themselves. Stop and resonate with this essence to regain your sense of balance and learn to say NO based on the actual energetic reserves in your tank. If you support your energy on a every level (mind, body & spirit) you will become a source of healing for others by your presence alone.

Moonstone Goddess Flower Essence: Clematis

To nourish your intuitive nature you need to flow into new ideas, catch the vibe and also run life as it happens around you. This takes a quite a bit of concentration at any given time. You may feel as if your in between a few realities in any given day. Day dreaming is great but your super visionary energy can stall mid air if it doesn’t have a sense of completion behind the idea.
Clematis will bring you back into your body BUT allow your intuition to come through. This essence will assist you in keeping the magic in a grounded way to move toward your destiny. Open up to your gifts and feel free to follow your gut feelings with Clematis.

Garnet Goddess Flower Essence : Olive
Embodying your wisdom provides inspiration to so many people, but The Garnet Goddess might be in a state of long term exhaustion. This a clear call in life to clear away what is not working for you, more to the point what is consuming your energy. Not only is olive an important food energy in many countries it also provides a very powerful flower essence. This essence will nourish you through times when you feel you just don’t have the energy, it provides a healing place which is planetary as well as galactic. Float away to nourishment with this elegant friend.

How to take the remedies
Put four drops from your essence bottle and add to a glass of water three times a day. Or take neat under your tongue.

Contraindications
There are no contraindications with flower essences. They are completely safe if you are on medications, pregnant and breast-feeding. The only contraindication is alcohol, there is a very small amount of brandy to preserve the essence. There are alcohol free products available.

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Tuesday	09:30 - 18:00
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http://www.kimchild.co.uk/, https://www.meadowmoonessences.co.uk/

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