Acupuncture for ivf and fertility:

Natural Fertility and IVF…Assisted Conception

This clinic's unique approach starts with an in-depth evaluation to uncover any underlying factors that may be preventing you from conceiving or maintaining pregnancy. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with high FSH, as an IVF “poor responder,” had frequent miscarriages, or suffered unexplained infertility, the aim is to discover why.

Because Acupuncture naturally balances and boosts hormones, it is useful in trying to improve fertility chances. Both men and women often need that hormone boost before they embark on seriously trying to conceive. (see our time frames below)

Women also benefit from Fertility Acupuncture resulting in invigorated blood flow in, and around, sluggish reproductive organs. This is very common in the clinics and often plays a part in recurrent miscarriages.

We will always research potential avenues and chat in great depth about your history, but also how prognostics look and how we will approach your unique situation to achieve your ultimate desired goal.

How Might Acupuncture Possibly Enhance Your Fertility?

• Improves pregnancy rates of natural conception

• Regulates menstrual cycles; timing, efficiency

• Regulates hormones (ie progesterone, oestrogen)  

• Reduces miscarriages

• Strengthens ovulation efficiency; mucus and timing

• Invigorates the sluggish blood flow to reproductive organs

• Encourages production of follicles, enhances egg quality

• Improves thickness of uterine wall lining

• Promotes calm and relaxation

• Enhances the Immune System

• Helps the body naturally clear toxins 

• Improves Sperm Variables
   

Preconception Acupuncture Programme

3-6 Month Preconception Care
Traditional Chinese medicine offers you a natural way to optimise your fertility during the critical 3-6 months before conception. These sessions can be individual, or the fullest benefits for both partners will come by adopting the preconceptual healthcare programme.  By combining this programme you get diet therapy, lifestyle counselling, mind-body techniques, reflexology, and acupuncture, all designed to balance your hormones and boost your overall health and well-being.

What to look for in choosing a Reproductive Chinese Medicine specialist
It is important to ask whether the clinic or practitioner you are considering focuses their practice primarily on fertility and has had experience and additional training in Reproductive Medicine. Jess has assisted hundreds of couples for over a decade and stays active in the British Fertility Society, Acupuncture Fertility Network, InfertilityUK and more.

IVF cycle - ONCE YOU’VE DECIDED to do it

Your Acupuncture options range from preconception programmes, to one or two treatments on embryo transfer day, to a course of treatments in a series, leading up to IVF transfer day and continuing throughout pregnancy.  Jess's IVF Acupuncture cycles strictly adhere to successful clinically tested Acupuncture methods and protocols.
 

IVF - your Acupuncture and the medication phase 

Clinical trials have shown that acupuncture performed before and during IVF increases blood flow to the uterus and ovaries. In addition, acupuncture regulates fertility hormones, which may contribute to follicle development and increased implantation. Generally recommended is at least 4 weekly sessions through one menstraul cycle before medication, then 2 sessions whilst under each medication phase. Acupuncture on Embryo Transfer day then follows - to optimise your result.

On average the success rates for IVF conception is usually 20-30%-- depending on the clinic. A recent German IVF study showed a 26% success rate was achieved for women with NO acupuncture, while a 43% success rate was achieved WITH acupuncture. Other worldwide nations have achieved similar results. Most recently a British journal report suggests Acupuncture could improve IVF success rates by up to 65%.(BMJ. 7 Feb, 2008)

More couples are turning to Acupuncture and finding amazing results, even after several failed attempts. (IVF, ICSI, IUI, FET, PGD, NKcell and Thyroid issues etc)

IVF - Acupuncture Before Your Pregnancy Test

During your two week wait:
After the embryo transfer, implantation occurs between 1-4 days, depending on which day the transfer was performed - this can be a good time frame for a post IVF session to further aid implantation or calm anxiety. 

A second treatment during the two weeks can support you emotionally, to ease impatience and promote relaxation during your waiting phase. Stress hormones can interfere with reproductive hormones.

 2 acupuncture sessions on embryo transfer day.

• Before embryo transfer: Your first treatment is a fertility Acupuncture treatment increasing uterine blood flow and balancing hormone activity

• After embryo transfer: Your second treatment is after transfer aiding implantation and reducing contractions 

This protocol is the same for frozen embryo transfers (FET).

Acupuncture during this time is highly recommended by many fertility clinics worldwide and several clinics incorporate Acupuncture as part of their IVF series.

Jess will endeavour to offer flexibility for embryo transfers and has a network of timing and locations available if needed. Home visits are possible when available, at variable rates.

Nutrition

Nutrition is a medicine in and of itself and becomes knowledge and good practice that you can carry with you forever. In Fertility its importance lies in balancing hormones and enhancing the body's strength. A few examples:

• Proteins are the building blocks of cells and life, essential for egg development at this time.

• Omegas provide both men and women enhanced hormone balance.

• Zinc is among the strongest nourishment to reproductive organ function.

What is proper protein? How do you get more omegas? This is just a tiny sample of all there is to learn and practice when getting proper nutrients before, during and after conception!

Proper nutrition is paramount to success in conception. That's why only our highly trained and  experienced experts guide yous and educate you to find your best options, specific to your needs. 

Reflexology

Reflexology is a deeply relaxing, safe therapy with focus on pressure points on the feet or hands, enabling the body into a state of well-being and thus encouraging it to heal itself.

• Fertility Reflexology involves the gentle application of pressure to the feet/hands with a special emphasis on the endocrine system and reproductive organs.

• Gentle hands-on relaxation patterns release stress held in the extremities and restore free flow of energy, promoting fertility, healthy pregnancy and natural birth.