Fertility coaching in Wokingham

On this page

1. Overview
2. Why fertility coaching?
3. What fertility coaching covers
4. Who fertility coaching can help
5. My approach
6. Treatments I use
7. About me
8. Book a consultation
9. Frequently asked questions

1. Overview

Fertility coaching is personalised, expert guidance to help couples understand their fertility, identify what may be holding them back from conceiving, and put in place the most effective strategies to improve their chances of having a baby — whether naturally or with assisted conception such as IVF.

I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto, a fertility specialist with over 25 years of clinical experience. I have helped hundreds of couples conceive, including those trying naturally, those with complex fertility diagnoses, and those who had experienced repeated IVF failure or miscarriage. I combine a deep knowledge of western reproductive medicine with the holistic insight of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), treating both partners and addressing the full picture of their fertility health.

Fertility coaching is available in person at my Wokingham, Berkshire clinic and as online consultations via Zoom for couples throughout the UK and internationally. Coaching is available as a standalone service or combined with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.

2. Why fertility coaching?

Research suggests that around half of women experiencing infertility describe it as the most stressful experience of their lives. The process of trying to conceive — monitoring cycles, timing intercourse, undergoing investigations, interpreting test results, and navigating the choices around fertility treatment — is a rapid and often overwhelming learning curve. This stress in itself has a measurable negative effect on fertility, creating a difficult cycle that is hard to break without support.

At the same time, standard NHS fertility investigations are limited in scope. Most couples receive only basic hormone tests and a semen analysis, which often leave them with no clear explanation for why they are not conceiving. Even when a diagnosis is given, couples frequently feel they lack the information to make confident decisions about their next steps — whether to try longer naturally, which fertility clinic to approach, what lifestyle changes will genuinely make a difference, or how to approach IVF in the way most likely to succeed.

Fertility coaching fills this gap. It provides the expert knowledge, clear thinking and personalised guidance that the NHS and most fertility clinics simply do not have time to offer.

3. What fertility coaching covers

Every coaching consultation is tailored to the individual couple, but typically covers some or all of the following areas.

Understanding your fertility

I will review your full fertility history — including previous investigations, test results, cycle patterns and any treatments you have had — and explain clearly what is known, what questions remain unanswered, and what further investigations might be useful. Many couples find that even where tests have been done, nobody has ever taken the time to explain what the results actually mean or what the implications are.

Identifying and addressing fertility problems

I am experienced in identifying and treating a wide range of fertility conditions in both men and women, including PCOS, endometriosis, low AMH, elevated FSH, irregular cycles, anovulation, low sperm count and poor sperm quality. Where NHS investigations have not identified a cause, I can help to uncover the more subtle hormonal and physiological factors that affect fertility but are not detected by standard tests — and which respond very well to treatment with acupuncture and Chinese herbs.

Optimising natural fertility

I provide personalised advice on the diet, lifestyle and supplement changes most likely to improve your fertility based on your individual situation. This includes guidance on improving egg quality, optimising sperm health, identifying ovulation accurately, managing stress, improving sleep, and the specific nutritional factors that most strongly support conception and early pregnancy.

Navigating IVF and assisted conception

I have extensive knowledge of assisted reproductive technologies, including IVF, ICSI, frozen embryo transfer, donor egg and donor sperm cycles. I can help you understand your options, choose the most appropriate fertility clinic for your situation, prepare optimally for each stage of a treatment cycle, and understand how acupuncture alongside IVF can increase your chances of success. For couples who have experienced repeated IVF failure, I can help to identify what may be going wrong and what changes to approach or treatment might improve the outcome.

Emotional and psychological support

The emotional toll of fertility difficulties is significant and frequently underestimated. Anxiety, depression, grief, relationship strain and a loss of confidence in your own body are common — and all of them have a real impact on fertility. I provide a supportive, non-judgemental space where you can talk openly about your fertility journey, and I use acupuncture and targeted advice to help reduce the stress and emotional load that is holding many patients back.

4. Who fertility coaching can help

Fertility coaching is appropriate for:

• Couples who have been trying to conceive for six months or more without success and want to understand why
• Couples who have received a fertility diagnosis and want expert guidance on how best to address it
• Couples preparing for IVF who want to optimise their chances before and during treatment
• Couples who have experienced repeated IVF failure and want to understand what might be done differently
• Couples who have experienced miscarriage and want to reduce the risk of it happening again
• Individuals or couples with unexplained infertility — where standard investigations have found nothing abnormal but pregnancy has not occurred
• Women who want to understand and optimise their fertility before they start trying
• Single women or same-sex couples considering fertility treatment who want independent expert guidance

5. My approach

My approach to fertility coaching integrates two complementary perspectives: western reproductive medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. This dual lens allows me to identify problems and opportunities that neither approach alone would reveal.

From a western perspective, I review all available test results, consider the hormonal and structural factors affecting fertility, and advise on investigations, treatment options and the evidence base for different interventions. I have an excellent working knowledge of the fertility clinics and IVF units in Berkshire, London and the surrounding area, and can advise on which services are most appropriate for different situations.

From a TCM perspective, I assess the underlying patterns of imbalance — in the Kidney, Liver, Spleen and Heart — that in my clinical experience are among the most common and most treatable causes of fertility difficulty. The menstrual cycle is the single richest source of diagnostic information in TCM fertility practice. The length, quality, quantity and characteristics of each phase of the cycle tell me a great deal about what is happening hormonally and constitutionally, and guide the design of an acupuncture and herbal treatment plan that is specific to each patient.

Crucially, I treat both partners. Male factor infertility accounts for approximately 40–50% of all cases, yet men are often excluded from the fertility treatment conversation. Addressing sperm quality, hormonal health and sperm count in the male partner alongside the female partner's treatment consistently improves outcomes for the couple as a whole.

I believe it is important that couples fully understand what is happening with their fertility and why, so that they can make informed decisions and engage actively in their treatment. Education and empowerment are central to what I do.

6. Treatments I use

Fertility coaching can be offered as a standalone consultation service, or combined with one or more of the following treatments depending on what is most appropriate for your situation:

• Fertility acupuncture — to regulate the menstrual cycle, improve egg and sperm quality, increase blood flow to the uterus, balance hormones and reduce stress
• Chinese herbal medicine for fertility — tailor-made herbal prescriptions to address specific fertility conditions and support hormonal balance, available in person or via online consultation
• IVF acupuncture — specialised acupuncture support timed around each stage of an IVF or ICSI cycle, including egg collection and embryo transfer

View treatment prices.

7. About me

I hold a BSc (Hons) in traditional Chinese medicine, which included extensive training in western medicine alongside Chinese medicine. I trained clinically at Whittington Hospital in London and at Zhong Ri Hospital in Beijing, China. I am a member of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) and the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM).

I have published research on acupuncture and fertility in peer-reviewed journals and have written two books: My Fertility Guide: How to Get Pregnant Naturally and My Pregnancy Guide. Both books draw on over two decades of clinical experience and extensive review of the research literature, and are designed to give couples the knowledge they need to take charge of their fertility.

You can read more about my background, qualifications and published research.

8. Book a consultation

Fertility coaching consultations are available in person at my Wokingham, Berkshire clinic and online via Zoom. Initial consultations last approximately one hour. You can book directly using my online booking system, or contact me with any questions before booking.

Book a fertility coaching consultation

9. Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between fertility coaching and fertility acupuncture?

Fertility coaching focuses on assessment, education and guidance — helping you understand your fertility, review your test results, plan your treatment strategy and optimise your diet and lifestyle. Fertility acupuncture is a hands-on treatment that works physiologically to improve egg quality, regulate hormones, increase blood flow to the uterus and reduce stress. The two approaches complement each other well and are often combined.

Do both partners need to attend?

It is preferable for both partners to attend the initial consultation where possible, as fertility is a joint concern and addressing both partners together consistently produces better outcomes. However, individual consultations are also available. I offer specific advice and treatment for male infertility, including low sperm count, poor motility and abnormal morphology.

Can fertility coaching help if I have unexplained infertility?

Yes. Unexplained infertility is one of the areas I see most frequently and in my experience it rarely means there is truly nothing wrong — it more often means that the standard investigations have not identified what is wrong. A detailed review of the couple's history, cycle patterns, lifestyle and any available test results usually reveals factors that can be addressed, and TCM diagnosis often uncovers patterns of imbalance that are not detected by western investigation but that respond well to treatment.

Is online fertility coaching as effective as in-person coaching?

For the coaching and consultative elements of my service — reviewing test results, advising on investigations, planning treatment strategy, and providing dietary and lifestyle guidance — online consultations via Zoom are just as effective as in-person appointments. Chinese herbal medicine can also be prescribed and posted to you following an online consultation. The one element that requires an in-person visit is acupuncture treatment itself. Learn more about online fertility consultations.

How long will I need fertility coaching?

This depends on your individual situation. Some couples benefit most from a single detailed review consultation, after which they have a clear plan to follow independently. Others find regular support throughout their fertility journey — whether trying naturally or through IVF — most helpful. I will always discuss the most appropriate approach for your situation at your initial appointment.