Many studies promote the benefit of having Acupuncture alongside IVF. Most of these studies are of Acupuncture given around the time of Embryo transfer. Jane Lyttleton has a great website for an easy read of many of these articles at www.acupunctureivf.com.au. Jane has also posted a variety of studies from magazines dedicated to fertility issues.
Oriental medicine considers a vital essence named Jing to be the basis of our constitutional health and fertility for our entire life. At the point of conception, a child inherits it’s Jing from each parent. Jing cannot be added to, it can only be supported and conserved. That support is given through other aspects of our health and vitality known as vital substances. Time to prepare along with the necessary treatment or lifestyle changes is suggested to enhance the Jing given at the point of conception. For more on vital substances see Principles of Chinese Food Therapy.
A consideration
The technology of IVF is a wonderful gift for those with condition’s that only IVF can address. For many couples their sub – fertility is unexplained and IVF offers a chance to try a different approach.
Considering your reason(s) for having IVF gives you more understanding of what other support you may like to bring on board. Should you decide that you would like consider preconception preparation please read Preconception care and Enhancing Fertility. You may also like to read the Fertility and Pregnancy testimonials.
Going into IVF
Acupuncture can be a wonderful way to support yourself during the IVF process. During your sessions your Oriental medical diagnosis is the guiding principal, supporting your vital substances as you go through the different phases of an IVF cycle. These vital substances are understood to be the basis of actual substances that our bodies generate like endometrium, egg, sperm and hormones. And normal functions such as blood flow and immune response. Any one of these factors can affect the outcome of an attempt of conception and implantation. During each phase of the cycle these various factors are considered and integrated with your Oriental medical diagnosis for treatment.
To best achieve this, weekly Acupuncture treatment along with dietary and lifestyle advice, is given 3 months prior to the IVF process. This range of support, length of time and the frequency of treatment gives the body a momentum for change.
At the time of IVF treatment continues weekly for most. In some cases treatment is stepped up to twice per week – in the case of previous poor response with IVF. During the week of egg collection and transfer I suggest a different approach than the one the studies have followed. This is based on supporting the body to be primed for each stage;
The day after egg collection Acupuncture is given to restore qi and blood flow through the uterus and abdomen – signs of stagnation such as tenderness, pain and bloating will often clear with this treatment. This makes use of the days until transfer to promote optimal qi (normal function) and blood flow.
As soon as possible after the transfer the tried and tested protocol mentioned in many of the studies is given with Acupuncture – this protocol uses ear points that relate to the Endocrine system, the Sympathetic nervous system and the Uterus. Along with body points to support you in the next phase of the process – implantation.
If transfer was on day four or less Acupuncture is suggested again around 7 days after egg collection to gently regulate qi and blood flow in the Uterus to support implantation. Many women find Acupuncture centering and calming, and so another treatment is often given in the next week.
Beyond this stage, please refer to Pregnancy for more.