Natural Fertility Management in Sydney - The Joyclen Centre?

Has any one had any experience with The Joycelyn Centre the one that was founded by Francesca Naish, the Author of The Natural Way to Better Babies?

Hubby and I have been trying TTC for a total of 6 years. 4.5 of those years we were waiting for a happy accident but this last year and a half I?ve been temping and trying to catch that eggy on time. I have seen a Naturopath in the past to help with my Endometriosis/Fibroids/Cyts and recovery from surgery but haven?t gone to one that specialises specifically with TTC.

What?s more is that I?ve finally managed to convince hubby that this is the route to go down except he?s freaking out about the expense of The Joycelyn Centre.

Alternatively, if any one has any can help with any other Natural Fertility Management in Sydney I?d love to hear about it.

Hi Starlight - we're about to start at the Jocelyn Centre in 2 weeks on their preconception program.

We've only been TTC 1 year but were after some answers - so here we are!

I'm not sure whether the cost (I'd estimate about $3400 over 4 months) is expensive compared to going to a Fertility Specialist or not.

I'll be happy to report on things for you after we've been to our first full appointment.

Any one?

If I've posted this in the wrong section and I would get a better response could some one let me know?:)

I haven't had any first hand experience but I do have Francesca Naish's book Natural Fertility and have found it to be invaluable.

I think that she gets good results from her approach.

Good luck!

Grr - I'm sure I posted yesterday and it's not there any more ?

Anyway - we're about to start with Jacintha at the Jocelyn Centre - yes - we were surprised at the cost (I estimate about $3400 over 4 months) - but realistically - I could imagine paying similar amounts seeing specialists.

We haven't been TTCing anywhere near as long as you guys have (that in itself is amazing) but we thought we'd go down this route rather than traditional medicine at this early stage.

Happy to report back in a few months :)

I went there for a contraception consult, but a close friend of mine who had been trying for 7 years and was starting the overseas adoption process went to JC and after I think 9 months they got pregnant with their little girl. When they wanted to have another baby 3 years later they went back and got their prescription for herbal supplements... they hadn't even started taking them when they got pregnant again - with twins :o
now they're too scared to have sex but that's another story!

capn pants, It's funny your 1st post appeared after you posted your second.. Any how...

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Hi Starlight - we're about to start at the Jocelyn Centre in
I'll be happy to report on things for you after we've been to our first full appointment.

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Thank you, I'd love you to report on your first full appointment. Yes, we estimated the same amount and that's turned hubby right off!

Pixie - Hubby would love twins!:D If I told him that this method would create twins I'm sure he'd go for it:rolleyes:.

He's other argument is that don't tell you about the stories that aren't successful.:wall:

Well from what I understand it's a lot cheaper and less invasive than IVF.... and if it doesn't work, all that happens is you get a bit healthier. My friend had tried IVF without success and couldn't continue because she found it too distressing emotionally when IVF wasn't successful.

Starlight there are other options. I saw a Naturopath when I lived in Syd that specialised in fertility. There is a naturopathic clinic in NeutralBay called the Modern Apothecary you could try, they have a GP Dr Giselle Cooke who I also saw who is wonderful. Good luck.

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Starlight there are other options. I saw a Naturopath when I lived in Syd that specialised in fertility. There is a naturopathic clinic in NeutralBay called the Modern Apothecary you could try, they have a GP Dr Giselle Cooke who I also saw who is wonderful. Good luck.

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I looked at Dr Gissele Cook and she is $300 a consult! I do see her Naturopath Sheena and get herbs for my endometrosis (yucky period pains)

Who was the fertility specialist that you saw? Her name wasn't Emma Povay by any chance? She has left Sydney :(

Oh - I forgot someone had mentioned this on another forum I frequent

Maroubra - Health & Fertility Matters - Vicky
9344 4645

Vicky used to work at the Jocelyn Centre

Yes it was Emma, what a pity she has left Sydney she was really fabulous. Ouch to the cost of Giselle, I do remember she was expensive but it was 5 years ago so she wasn't that much!

$3400 seems pretty expensive to me, even over 4 months. While IVF is expensive upfront, Medicare gives you 80% of out of pocket costs back once you reach the Safety Net threshhold (about $1100). Are these costs Medicare claimable?

Like Sue I really like Francescas books but I don't know anything about the clinic sorry.

If you can get your Dr to write a referral - Jocelyn Centre costs can be claimed as part of the medical cost rebate on your personal tax.

Capn - Pants, Thanks for advice for a referral. However even with a referral you'll only get your medicare rebate back from the consoltations. I suppose every bit helps but it's really the herbs that cost an arm and a leg isn't it? I'm really looking forward to how your first consultation goes. What day are you going? Good Luck!

Oh and thanks for the Health & Fertility matters number in Marobura..

Krisp - I guess Ms Cook has gone up in the world... I did book an appointment with her and it was a 3 month wait. I had to cancel it because I got a big job on that I couldn't turn down so I booked again. I had to go back to the start of the waiting list and was on standby for cancellation which never happened and then two days before I was due for my appointment I had to cancel because work had to send me abroad... I guess she just wasn't meant to be! I have heard wonderful things about her though and my Naturopath speaks highly of her.

Dusty - the only part of this programme (for want of a better word) that you can claim on medicare is the consultations. I may be able to claim that on my private health insurance cover but that's something else I have to inquire about.
Dusty although, the financial side is a big part of our decision there are other reasons that i would like to try Natural Therapy rather than IVF at this moment in time. I have friends that have gone done the IVF route and it's not as straight forward and painfree as outsiders are led to believe.

Hi Starlight - our appointment is Tuesday 10th - I've done the questionnaire - can't wait to get started :)

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Dusty although, the financial side is a big part of our decision there are other reasons that i would like to try Natural Therapy rather than IVF at this moment in time. I have friends that have gone done the IVF route and it's not as straight forward and painfree as outsiders are led to believe.

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Totally understand hun. I just wanted to give you a comparison and how the costs may add up for each approach.

I wish you all the best in whatever you choose. I am currently going the natural way for a few months with Traditional Chinese Medicine after a couple of years on IVF.
xx

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Totally understand hun. I just wanted to give you a comparison and how the costs may add up for each approach.

I wish you all the best in whatever you choose. I am currently going the natural way for a few months with Traditional Chinese Medicine after a couple of years on IVF.
xx

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Thank you Dusty. And looking at your Signature, I KNOW you understand!

I really hope that Chinese Medicine will bring along your little miricle and that 2009 brings you lots of joy and happiness.

I'm back from our first appointment - Jacintha was excellent and there wasn't much in our lifestyle and habits that was affecting our TTC - but there are definitely some hormonal and genetic things that she identified we'd need to test for.

No big changes required of us since diet is pretty good and we don't drink alcohol. Need to drink filtered water (we purchased one there).

Our next appointment is to get the blood tests and referral for semen analysis and Jacintha will prescribe some supplements. So far really happy :)

I'm pleased that it went well for you! And that you're almost all the way there with regards to alcohol and diet. Hubby and I enjoy 2 or 3 glasses of red wine in the week and about the same at the weekend. I guess that would be the first thing for us to knock on the head.

If you don't mind I'd really love it if you came in here for updates with regards to your journey with the JC. I think it would be beneficial for other looking too.

TIA.

Starlight - no problems - happy to!

The naturopath said that if DH's semen analysis came back ok - he could have 1-2 drinks per week. DH makes his own beer at home - so he's brewing something special to celebrate when the time comes!

Fingers crossed that his SA comes back strong so he can enjoy that drink or 2:)

Back from appointment #2 - it was a meeting with the Dr for referrals for blood tests (IMHO - overpriced - it was 30 min with myself and DH - cost $70 for DH, $140 for me - I had to have a cervical swab. Medicare covers half - but really - $35 for 15 min work is pretty good!)

Then 2 hrs with the naturopath where she looked at our diets - apparently it's not too bad - but we've gone on a special fertility diet - most significant points
* no salt
* stay away from refined sugar - sweets, biccies, cakes etc
* animal proteins must be organic - eggs, beef, chicken
* better if veggies are organic - but not required - should be 40% of your daily diet (it was about that before)
* some protein with every meal
* no alcohol, no caffeine - herbal teas allowed

We've also got a whole heap of herbal tonics and other supplements to take. I think it's 10 tablets in the morning, 2 at night. Herbs cost about $150pp/month

So now I need a blood test on CD2, CD21 (for progesterone). DH needs blood test & has to book in for his SA.

In 2-3 wks we go back to see the GP to discuss the results of those tests.

*double post*

After 36 cycles with Fertility Friend and however many years of hoping for that happy accident. I got my first ever BFP on Thursday morning! We are over the mooning and our feet haven't yet touched the ground!

:happyforyou: :happyforyou: :happyforyou: That is wonderful news Starlight :D. I am sure you are smiling from ear to ear. Keep in touch with how you go. You can jump into your belly buddy group if you like too.

Starlight - that is fantastic! Congrats :)

If anyone still wants me to write updates about our experiences with the Jocelyn Centre - just let me know :)

Thank you guys. It's been a long journey for us!

Capn pants, I would still love to follow your journey through the Joyclen Clinic and I'm sure it would be really benificial to someone like me who was scouring the net for some information just a few weeks ago!