Acupuncture helps IVF patients | Acupuncture Pregnancy Clinic

Acupuncture and the IVF Patient

There are many and various ways that acupuncture can support the IVF patient.

Our clinic opened in 2008 specifically to address the needs of IVF patients and to work with IVF clinics in Sydney and Melbourne – the first of its kind in Australia. In the last 12 years we have seen many thousand IVF patients and have been happy to know that we are making a difference to their cycle, whether that be in terms of outcomes or management of stress and anxiety. At the outset we created a small manual of treatment protocols that were specific to each stage of the IVF cycle. Some of these were based on research findings and some were based on TCM diagnostic principles. Over the years, as patient demands multiplied, as our experience grew and research findings developed, our treatment guidance manual grew to many times the size – we called it the Manual Of Every Thing – MOET.

Many of our patients come for treatment in the month or two preceding an IVF cycle, and some come just on the day of Embryo transfer. Some patients come after several IVF attempts that have not been successful, either before continuing with IVF or instead trying to conceive naturally. We see men and women (single or in couples) and apply the very best of what traditional Chinese medicine has to offer combined with research findings which are regularly being updated.

Embryo transfer

Our clinics offer one or two acupuncture treatments around the time of embryo transfer where appropriate. These are based on protocols used in clinical trials some of which showed an increase in pregnancy rates in certain groups of women receiving acupuncture (most commonly those for whom the expected pregnancy rate was 30% or less).

In our clinic we find that IVF patients appreciate the calm and relaxation that acupuncture brings on this special day, and gives them space to honour the arrival of the precious embryo.

Frozen embryo transfer

Many IVF clinics like to transfer embryos into a natural environment. Embryos that have been frozen and successfully thawed are transferred back into a uterus in its natural state at exactly the right time for implantation. In addition to applying TCM principals and an individual approach we may use mild electro-stimulation on acupuncture points on the abdomen in the weeks before the transfer.

Before and during the medication phase of IVF

Many of our patients find that they benefit from having acupuncture before and during the medication phase of an IVF cycle. They feel better able to manage the stress and side effects that may be associated with IVF.

We often use mild electro-acupuncture at this time too particularly during the stimulation phase.

An Australian study found that a small “dose” of acupuncture (2-3 treatments) showed no effect on live birth rate in IVF patients, compared with sham acupuncture . Other researchers report different results with more frequent administration of acupuncture before and during the stimulation phase of the IVF cycle.

Any phase of the IVF cycle

Women undergoing IVF often use acupuncture as an adjunctive support – some report greater relaxation and control of anxiety, and overall greater resilience. The acupuncture treatment will be different for each patient and depends on symptoms.

After egg collection

Some IVF patients like to have an acupuncture treatment the day or two after egg collection, to help reduce any abdominal discomfort. We do not recommend having acupuncture on the same day as egg retrieval.

Before the pregnancy test

Many IVF patients find the “two week wait” the hardest part (even when its only 10 days!). Acupuncture may be a useful support during this time to keep the mind calm and reduce stress.

Acupuncture and the IVF Patient

Embryo transfer

Frozen embryo transfer

Before and during the medication phase of IVF

Any phase of the IVF cycle

After egg collection

Before the pregnancy test

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