You asked and we listened! Updates for IVF patients
If you are about to start your first (or another) IVF cycle you may be wondering if acupuncture may be of benefit to you?
Maybe you are unsure when to start acupuncture and what is the best timing for treatments throughout your IVF cycle?
Some of the most common questions we hear from IVF patients are
“When should I start acupuncture ?”
“Does it help?”
“Is there any research that backs up recommendations?”
One of our practitioners (Amy Forth) answers your questions here. Specifically she covers – treatment timing, the dose (number of treatments) and the frequency of treatments both before and during your IVF cycle.
When to start acupuncture and how many sessions may be of benefit?
If you are going to use acupuncture it may be advisable for to have it before and during the stimulation phase of the IVF cycle. It is useful for women to consider acupuncture treatment in the menstrual cycles before their IVF cycle, or before a frozen embryo transfer cycle during which time attention is paid to the uterine lining amongst other things.
Also……..it appears that dose matters.
A recent Meta-analysis showed there is a relationship between the acupuncture treatment dose and clinical pregnancies. Higher dose acupuncture before embryo transfer showed a significant benefit and increased pregnancy rate. In studies where more than three treatments were performed, the clinical pregnancy rate significantly improved.
One review observed that acupuncture administered to IVF patients at a dose of 9-12 treatments prior to embryo transfer is associated with more live births. The review analysed the outcomes of more than a thousand IVF cycles and found that women who used a whole systems Chinese Medicine approach (acupuncture with or without herbs, dietary and lifestyle advice), had a higher live birth rate than those doing IVF alone. The proportion of live births was 61.3% in the Chinese Medicine group and 48.2% in the IVF usual care group and 50.8% in the group having acupuncture only on day of embryo transfer.
A whole systems Chinese Medicine approach is the one we take at the Acupuncture Pregnancy clinics. We are happy to work with you where you are, and with whatever is possible or ideal in your circumstances.
When should I book in?
- Ideally come in at least 1 month before your start your IVF cycle. There may be other issues related to sleep, stress, digestion etc that we can address as well as IVF preparation.
- Our patients often come for bi-weekly treatment for 4 weeks prior to IVF cycle and the (roughly) 2 weeks of the medicated part of the IVF cycle.
- Electro-acupuncture and Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) may be used during IVF stimulation and/or prior to Frozen embryo transfer.
When should I consider Embryo transfer acupuncture?
Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer has been found to show benefit for women who have increased stress levels or who have had multiple previous IVF cycles, or where there was a low baseline pregnancy rate (Smith 2019). Continuing this approach in the two-week wait is also helpful for these women to manage stress and anxiety. Embryo transfer acupuncture is usually done on same day (or within 24 hours).
Is acupuncture safe in the weeks after Embryo Transfer and during pregnancy?
Acupuncture during the two week wait can be useful to reduce stress and anxiety. It also considered to be extremely safe in pregnancy when administered by a registered acupuncturist. Acupuncture treatments during your two week wait avoid any acupuncture points that are contraindicated in pregnancy.
Many patients like to continue acupuncture for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Acupuncture during pregnancy may incorporate points that are traditionally used to help manage fatigue and support early pregnancy physiology. Often patients report the experience as quite relaxing and rejuvenating.
How to book in for your acupuncture with us?
The Acupuncture Pregnancy Clinic has 5 locations all near to IVF clinics. For more information or research check out our website www.acupuncturepregnancy.com.au
You are welcome to book online here.
The Alexandria clinic (02 8372 3289) operates:
Tues and Thurs 4-8pm, Saturday 8-2pm
The CBD clinic (02 8964 6887) operates;
Mon 7.40am – 1pm Tues 12pm – 7pm and Thurs 12pm to 7pm.
The Westmead clinic (02 9689 1614) operates:
Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs midday/2pm – 7 pm. Fri 7.00am -10am, and Sat 7.40am – 2pm.
The Melbourne clinic (03 9078 5759) operates:
Mon – Fri 8am – 6pm, Sat 9am – 3pm
The Gosford clinic (0481 202 881) operates:
Tues and Thurs 9:30am – 5pm, Sat 8am -1pm
To book out of hours embryo transfer treatments please call the clinic. Where possible we will accommodate requests.
