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Acupuncture for IVF
Acupuncture For IVF
Research has found that acupuncture appears to help increase, and in many studies it is shown to double the rates of a successful conception when used alongside IVF, compared with IVF alone. Where recurrent implantation failure has prevented successful pregnancy, evidence shows that acupuncture doubles pregnancy rates compared with control and sham acupuncture; (35.7% vs 7.1 and 10.7 respectively) [De Villahermosa, D, et al (2013) Influence of acupuncture on the outcomes of in vitro fertilisation when embryo implantation has failed: a prospective randomised controlled clinical trial.
Acupunct Med, 31 (2)157-161] and can be used safely alongside your IVF programme.
Acupuncture during IVF plays a supportive role, following the plans of your clinical team, and how your body responds to the process by
- Managing the side effects which can occur with IVF medication
- Helping with the Stress Response
- Improving endometrial receptivity
- Improving egg quality
- Improving blood flow to the ovaries and uterus
- Is able to work with your individual underlying patterns as diagnosed by Chinese Medicine: this enables acupuncture to boost your body's response to the IVF treatment at key times
I hold Postgraduate level training in Assisted Reproductive Technology and keep up to date with the current protocols and research, and have undergone specialised training in supporting ART with Traditional Chinese Medicine. As research is ongoing, are committed to keep up to date with the latest evidence base for using Acupuncture for IVF.
Treatment Tailored To You
Your first consultation will take 90 minutes as together we take medical history, discuss lifestyle and dietary factors, and the history of any previous pregnancies and cycles. The clinical questionnaire combines details from any tests, will request that you bring your test results, and any recent BBT charts, as this is important to enable your treatment to fit your individual circumstances. This also forms the basis for ongoing treatment.
Whilst much benefit is gained from improving hormones, improving eggs and regulating any menstrual problems with acupuncture prior to IVF, there is still opportunity to improve the chances of successful pregnancy during the IVF cycle.
We always recommend you begin a course of acupuncture 3 months prior to commencing IVF treatment but if this is not the case acupuncture may still be able to help you. Please
contact us
to discuss your individual circumstances.
A programme of acupuncture is advised to provide support throughout the following times in the IVF cycle:
- During the lead-up to a cycle / trigger/ egg collection
- Immediately before and after embryo transfer. (ET)
- During the ‘two week wait’
The Lead Up To The IVF Cycle
Treatment during this part of the cycle is aimed at supporting the ovaries to provide their optimal response to FSH drugs.
Research suggests acupuncture assists the stimulation of the follicles by improving blood and oxygen supply to the developing eggs. This may increase the nutrients available to improve the developing eggs, thereby improving chances of a viable embryo.
Acupuncture during this phase can improve the thickness of the endometrial lining by increasing blood flow in the pelvic area, especially important where scans have shown this to be an issue.
In this phase, it is possible to manage and minimise any harmful effects of drugs, including abdominal bloating, sleep problems, and maintain vigilance for symptoms of OHSS.
As with all parts of the IVF cycle, it is important to address any impact of the stress response, and treatment which supports the whole body is more likely to bring a positive outcome.
Individual Treatments £45
Before and After ET
When you have come this far along the IVF journey, ET day is a crucial and long awaited day. There is still chance to improve the outcome using acupuncture on the day, especially where acupuncture has been incorporated into your treatment strategy as part of the IVF process.
There has been much research in the area of Assisted Conception, and many recent studies have focussed on the role of Acupuncture for IVF and ET. A British Medical Journal Meta analysis of research shows that treatment taken around the time before ET increases pregnancy and live birth rates by 65%:
Manheimer, E., Zhang, G., Udoff, L. et al (2008) Effects of Acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: systematic review and meta analysis
British Medical Journal, 336 545-549
Working with protocols which have been well researched, treatments are personalised to you. All advice and fact sheets you need to support the early implantation process with diet and lifestyle factors individual to you is given at this session.
In order to work in line with the evidence base for improving successful pregnancy outcomes, appointments for Before and After ET
can normally be made at short notice to provide treatments on the day of ET.
Cost of both before and after treatments
£100
The 2 Week Wait
Your work is done now...and all you can do is wait. Or is it?
During ‘the two week wait’, where the stress response and anxiety can run high, treatment is gentle and supportive, and focussed on calming the stress response.
These gentle treatments provide relaxation, release mental and physical tension, and support your body as you await your results. Chinese Medicine Dietary Guidance and Lifestyle advice is provided to help you improve your chances of pregnancy success.
Sessions are advised once a week or more if you are particularly anxious, and many people find they help them more calmly cope with the wait.
Individual Treatments £45
