Acupuncture and IVF – embryo transfer and supportive treatment
Many women contact the clinic after hearing about acupuncture helping to improve IVF outcomes, whether having done their own research or having been recommended by their fertility specialist.
When may acupuncture help?
Women usually hear about how acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer (ET) may help improve success rates, as this has been the focus of much of the research. Studies are still being conducted to look at different methods and timing to see how acupuncture may help alongside IVF.
At this clinic, we generally prefer to work with women (and couples) before the embryo transfer day, for example during the stimulation phase or even before the cycle commences, depending on other factors such as stress or period pain. We also like to support women beyond the day of embryo transfer, during the anxiety-producing “two week wait”.
How can acupuncture help?
During the lead-up to the transfer, there is a lot going on – emotionally and physically.
If you’re in a medicated cycle, then you are dealing with blood tests, scans, injections and side effects. Acupuncture may be able to help with some of the side effects that you’re experiencing, such as:
In both medicated and non-medicated cycles, such as FETs (frozen embryo transfers), there is often a lot of mental to-and-fro. Many women have normal thoughts, worrying about what if the the cycle doesn’t work, and then they stress about having these “negative” thoughts, hoping that the IVF process isn’t being negatively affected. They then feel anxious to “do positive thinking”. It can be really exhausting.
Acupuncture may help you with:
- stress symptoms
- helping with anxiety
- promoting better sleep
Your acupuncture session is your time. During the consultation you’ll debrief, reframe some worries and reclaim your centre. Then it’s time to simply receive. This is your time to enjoy acupuncture’s deep relaxation effects. Women often come out of their acupuncture session feeling refreshed and grounded.
Help for partners
Partners can benefit from our services too.
For male partners, we can help you to understand the research around diet and lifestyle factors that may be able to improve your health and fertility. There are steps that you can take now that can bring you positive changes in three areas:
- improving your general health and wellbeing today
- improving your fertility health
- improving your general health and wellbeing in the future (if you continue with these changes as your “new normal”)
For partners of all genders, supporting the IVF patient through this time certainly has its own stresses and challenges. Partners at our clinic really value their own acupuncture sessions, for example to:
- debrief about the process and learn tips on to handle the challenges
- reduce stress and address anxiety
- feel like you’re doing something positive towards creating your family, feeling like you’re a part of the process the whole way through
Fertility clinics often don’t address the experience of the partner. It can be easy to feel sidelined or ignored as all of the focus is placed on the IVF patient.
Although your role may be stressful, you have a lot to offer. Your support for your partner can be some of the best medicine available!
When both partners are feeling relaxed and grounded, then you’re able to support one another and feel like you’re on the same page throughout the whole journey.
How often should I come?
Women normally come in once a week during the lead-up and after the transfer. If you’re particularly stressed or are feeling unwell with side effects, then twice a week may be more appropriate.
For the day of transfer, we usually suggest a session during the evening before (because most clinics have early morning procedures) and then during the day or evening, after your transfer.
We have several practitioners available so you can normally book your acupuncture sessions no matter what day your transfer will be. If we happen to be fully booked or otherwise unavailable for your embryo-transfer sessions, then we can refer you to someone in our trusted network of practitioners. We can also refer you if you would prefer to have your embryo-transfer sessions near your IVF centre.
Working with your innate biological intelligence
When body and mind are relaxed then we say “the Qi flows”. Qi is the flow of intelligence that perfectly integrates the continual unfolding of billions of changes within your body, moment by moment, day and night. It is what flows to a hurt area to stimulate healing, or self-correction.
Focusing on Qi, body-mind, relaxation and self-healing is the power and simplicity of Chinese medicine.
Start your acupuncture IVF journey with us
Book now to begin your sessions – we look forward to supporting you at this special time in your life.
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