How Acupuncture Supports IVF

There are data showing that acupuncture helps to improve chances of a successful pregnancy and live birth.  How does it work?  Acupuncture…

• Increases blood flow to your reproductive organs

• Reduces stress

• Reduces inflammation

• Helps you get the rest you need

• Builds blood

• Balances hormones

• Helps to promote the release of healthy eggs

• Supports you through the physical and emotional challenges of the IVF journey, including reducing the side effects of the stimulating treatments

If you are considering using acupuncture as part of your IVF treatment, a series of treatments is recommended for the best possible outcomes.  Based on the data and our clinical experience, receiving acupuncture over the course of several weeks helps to prepare and support you. 

• Consider starting acupuncture about 3 months before your IVF treatment, to help get your body ready (If you have already started your treatment, hope is not lost!  See the * paragraph below.)

• Getting acupuncture 1-2 months before starting your IVF follicle stimulating treatment helps you prepare for the stimulation phase

• Continued acupuncture helps to stimulate follicle growth and maturity for retrieval

• Receiving treatment within a couple of days of retrieval helps you to recover

• Acupuncture promotes blood flow to the uterus to prep for transfer

• Data show acupuncture immediately before and after transfer (within a day on either side) helps to keep you relaxed and increases the chance of successful pregnancy

From there, you can continue acupuncture as needed to minimize stress and anxiety, and to keep yourself healthy.   

Acupuncture relieves pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting.  It can also help with stress and sleep, and any physical pain that you experience later in pregnancy as the baby grows.  There are even data showing that acupuncture and its adjunct modalities are supportive in the weeks leading up to birth and in helping if your baby is in a breech presentation position.

Of course, acupuncture does not guarantee successful pregnancy—but it does increase your chances of pregnancy and live birth.  Even with acupuncture, some people require multiple rounds of treatment. 

*If you have already started your IVF treatment, it isn’t too late to receive acupuncture!  We may just need to treat you twice a week to maximize the effect of acupuncture.

If you have questions about using acupuncture as part of your IVF experience, let’s talk!