Kerry Rutherford Acupuncture

27/07/2026

It’s so hard to see beyond the websites and the marketing - this is what I’d be asking if I were assessing an IVF clinic - some overlap with Part 1 but it bears repetition.

1. How quickly can you change my treatment protocol if needed, and how closely will you monitor me?

The best clinics monitor patients closely with scans and blood tests, sometimes every other day. Ask how decisions are made during your cycle and how quickly they can respond if you’re not progressing as expected. Blood tests can be particularly valuable because nobody knows how well you’re absorbing oestrogen or progesterone until it’s measured. The prescribed dose doesn’t always reflect the amount your body absorbs, and factors such as gut absorption and transdermal delivery can influence hormone levels. Close monitoring allows treatment to be quickly adjusted when necessary.

2. How often do you discuss complex cases as a multidisciplinary team?

Some treatment decisions benefit from input from fertility consultants, embryologists, specialist nurses and, where appropriate, reproductive immunologists or other specialists. Ask whether complex cases are reviewed collaboratively rather than by one clinician alone. If treatment decisions are made in a meeting, will you be able to discuss those decisions with the person who made them?

3.What are your live birth rates for patients like me?

Rather than asking for overall clinic success rates, ask about outcomes in women of a similar age with a similar diagnosis and fertility history. Live birth rates are generally a more meaningful measure than pregnancy rates alone.

4. What happens if my embryos don’t reach the blastocyst stage?

Ask how embryo development is monitored, how often you’ll receive updates and what information you’ll be given if embryo development stops. Will someone explain the likely reasons why this may have happened and whether it changes your treatment plan going forward?
Ask whether you can have a copy of the embryology report if things don’t go as well as hoped.

I’ve still got lots more to say on this so will add more asap. In the meantime you can always book a call to chat with me or book in online for Hertford! 🧡

10/07/2026

1. How do you decide which stimulation protocol is right for me?

Ask how your age, ovarian reserve, hormone results, previous treatment and medical history influence their recommendations. Treatment should absolutely be individualised based on your clinical picture. Ask what they will do if you don’t respond as expected to stimulation.

2. If this cycle doesn’t work, how will you decide what to change?

Ask how the team reviews your response and uses what they’ve learned to plan any future treatment. If a cycle is cancelled do they offer part/ refund?

3. Can you tell me about your embryology laboratory and how embryo development is monitored?

The laboratory plays a vital role in IVF success. It’s reasonable to ask how quality and consistency are monitored and maintained. I’d also ask how many embryologists they have.

Follow the brilliant Emma The Embryologist for honest insights into what you need to know.

4. How do you decide the best day for embryo transfer? Are you open 7 days a week?

Find out whether the timing of transfer is based on your embryos’ development and your individual circumstances, rather than following the same approach for everyone. Make sure your clinic is staffed 7 days a week so you’re not shoehorned into their staffing schedule to the detriment of your treatment outcome.

5. How will my current diagnosis influence my treatment plan?

Whether you have endometriosis, PCOS, low AMH, recurrent miscarriage or unexplained infertility, ask how your diagnosis changes the recommendations being made. What can they offer you in terms of additional investigations and evidence based add-ons?

6. If I have questions during treatment, who will I be able to speak to? If I want to ask what my blood test results mean who can I ask?
Ask whether you’ll have access to a dedicated nurse or consultant - the worst feeling is when staff haven’t been briefed on your case and can’t answer your questions and you have to explain everything again.

More questions to follow!

🧡If you’re struggling and would like practical support, I’m a Hertford based Fertility Acupuncturist and I’ve worked with hundreds of people to help them conceive. 🧡

04/07/2026

I see women in clinic every week for fertility support who’ve been told by a consultant or sonographer that adenomyosis is ‘present’ or ‘mild’.

Usually no further details are shared as it’s often seen as part of a general uterine scan

A new systematic review from March this year says what we’ve known for years - that fertility specialists must go beyond recording it simply as present or absent because this is way too vague - knowing exactly where it is can help women make key decisions about what they might need to do differently in terms of fertility treatment or ivf protocol.

If adenomyosis is deeply infiltrated and located in the junctional zone, it may be associated with lower implantation rates, lower IVF success rates and a higher risk of miscarriage.

The junctional zone is the layer of muscle just beneath the uterine lining.
It plays an important role in s***m transport and the contractions of the uterine wall.
When adenomyosis affects this area, it can become thickened and irregular.

If your adenomyosis is classed as mild and diffuse and in the outer wall it will have a different impact and could behave more like endometriosis, causing inflammation.

At the moment you probably wouldn’t be given this level of information at a scan but it could make a meaningful difference to your fertility outcomes.
You might need to be referred to a specialist surgeon or you might need to be on a longer protocol of suppression if you’re having IVF.

You need to know the fine detail so you can advocate for yourself. If you’re ttc and you have a scan coming up, have your questions ready!

I’m a fertility specialist based in Hertford - if you’re feeling frustrated and would like to work with someone to find the reasons you’re not conceiving you can book a free call to talk things through.
🧡

Link to study https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/reproductive-health/articles/10.3389/frph.2026.1748474/full

17/03/2026

If you’re ready for more clarity and a supportive treatment plan that we make together, I’d love to help you. I know how lonely fertility struggles can feel. ❤️

26/01/2026

A diagnosis of PCOS sadly often isn’t enough on its own to address fertility issues. It’s a complex condition with an evolving set of symptoms.
Knowing what to do to support ovulation, bring hormones into line, work with metabolic factors and adapt the treatment as each cycle changes needs a highly specialised and flexible approach.
The good news is that it usually responds really well to a fully holistic approach. This means we use all the tools at our disposal.

I worked with Helen - who left this lovely review - weekly for several months until she was 13 weeks pregnant then we began to space out our support and now we’re prepping for birth.

If you’d like expert support to regulate your cycles to conceive with PCOS you can book a free call or email me. You honestly don’t have to figure all this out on your own. 🧡

24/11/2025

02/07/2025

Labour and birth preparation acupuncture slots are now open for due dates in August and September!

This is a reminder not to leave booking in too late, especially if you’re being nudged towards induction and you really don’t want one (most women, funnily enough), or you’re hoping for a vbac.

If your baby’s breech then I’ll need to see you at 34 weeks while your baby is still small enough to turn with acu and moxa.

The question I was asked most at the pregnancy fair a couple of weeks ago was whether I can work with you for natural induction - yes I can and it’s amazing - see the next slide for a recent review from a happy mum!

Give me a call if you have questions - I’m always happy to chat birth and babies 💫

21/06/2025

Just back from our Hertford pregnancy fair this morning organised by the wonderful Midwife Meg .and.baby - I completely forgot to take any photos - but there was such a great crowd who were a joy to chat to, and some of my very lovely patients popped by - one lady who I saw for natural induction 2 weeks ago had her baby the day after and brought her in this morning for a cuddle 💕. So great to connect with other local women led businesses too!

08/06/2025

Hi, if you’re new here - I thought I’d do a little reintroduction as it’s been a while.

I’m Kerry, a licensed acupuncturist based in Hertford town centre.

I offer specialist acupuncture for women navigating fertility challenges. I also support pregnancy and labour.

Many of the women who come to see me are already going through something difficult and often I’m their last resort.

It can be a recent loss, an IVF cycle that didn’t work, or the growing fear that time is running out and that answers are hard to find. Sometimes it’s the results of a low AMH test or a cycle that’s MIA that brings people to me.

If you’re starting trying soon or you’re already on that path and want to understand your cycle better so you can improve everything and finally get pregnant, working with a fertility acupuncturist can offer incredible holistic support.

I don’t promise quick fixes.

What I can you offer is consistent and evidence-informed care. I’m a member of ESHRE (the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology), which means I stay up to date with the latest research in fertility science, IVF, and reproductive medicine.

I advise on testing, scanning, referrals and will help guide you through complex conversations with a clinic, doctor or consultant so you know you’re getting the answers you deserve without wasting even more time.

If you’re ready to take the next step you can book a free 15-minute call or a first fertility appointment online.