Acupuncture and IVF support
Acupuncture is becoming an increasingly popular choice for women undergoing IVF or ICSI and can help to support you during this process. It is believed that acupuncture may help you to relax, during a time that can be stressful and anxious. Many women say that they enjoy the quiet space of the acupuncture room and feel the session offers an opportunity to connect with themselves. In the session you will receive acupuncture but it is also a place to talk and take stock and to visualise what is going on within your body.
Research suggests that acupuncture can play a helpful role in promoting an abundant blood supply to the uterus and the ovaries. This may encourage the follicles to develop resulting in higher quality embryos and the uterus lining or endometrium to thicken encouraging implantation to occur. These two areas are crucial in raising the success of IVF.
Studies have also found that acupuncture can help improve sperm parameters – mobility, motility and volume.
It must have been the acupuncture. It was the only thing that was different. It really helped me to chill out. Even people at work noticed when I’d been for my needles and said how relaxed I was.Sally, who got pregnant through IVF after three embryo transfers.
How much treatment?
Ideally women due to have IVF or ICSI and men having ICSI would benefit from 3 months of regular acupuncture prior to commencing IVF. This allows time for the acupuncture to balance any irregularities in the body and to prepare you for the work ahead. This is particularly recommended if you have had numerous fertility interventions e.g. clomid, stimulated IUI or repeated cycles of IVF or have a history of miscarriage. I recommend women have a break of three months between IVF cycles and unsuccessful pregnancies to allow the body and mind to replenish. Acupuncture can assist you in this healing process.
Caitlin, I just really wanted to say a huge thank you for all the support you gave me last year – I honestly think I couldn’t have got through it without you and to be ending the year 15 weeks pregnant with my twins is more than I could have ever dreamed of. Thank you.
Rebecca, 6 cycles of IUI and 1 successful IVF cycle.
Many people do not think about having acupuncture three months prior to IVF and often contact me as their cycle is due to start. Do not despair. It is not too late. There is still plenty of support that acupuncture can offer. During down-regulation acupuncture seeks to keep you relaxed and counters any side effects you may be experiencing from your medication. During stimulation I tend to increase the regularity of treatments, working in partnership with your medication to increase blood supply to the uterus and ripen the ovaries. It is recommended that you have acupuncture before and after embryo transfer and this has been particularly well researched (e.g. Paulus). If you do nothing else, consider having this treatment. You will then be offered treatment in the week after your embryo transfer and this helps to keep you relaxed and positive and aids implantation to occur.
When you learn that you have been successful and are now pregnant I then recommend weekly acupuncture until 12 weeks. IVF pregnancies are extra special and acupuncture may help to keep the uterus and you calm preventing early miscarriage.
Dear Caitlin. Just a brief note to show my appreciation of your input over the past few months. The acupuncture sessions have really helped me to achieve an overall sense of wellbeing and positivity throughout my IVF rollercoaster journey. But, more importantly, your warmth and sensitivity, combined with expert knowledge and advice, has been a massive support to me.
Emma, after 1st IVF cycle.