The question I am getting frequently is this, ” My doctor recommends acupuncture to increase the success of my IVF…when should I start the acupuncture?”
My answer is based off the research of Dr. Lee Rubin, doctor of chinese medicine. The research was published in 2015 in the US Library of Medicine here:
Impact of Whole Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine on In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes
The research was done with 1,231 women doing IVF. The acupuncture was started with frequency of once a week . Then twice a week once IVF suppression meds were started until egg retrieval.
11-12 sessions total during the IVF process with whole system traditional chinese medicine showed the greatest statistical significance in live birth rates. There were 3 groups of women. One group just doing IVF alone, one group doing IVF plus day of transfer acupuncture, and the group doing IVF plus whole systems Chinese medicine. This group had the highest live birth rates.
Live Birth Rates:
IVF alone: 48.2%
IVF plus acu on day of transfer: 50.8%
IVF plus whole systems Chinese medicine: 61.3%
What is whole systems Chinese medicine?
This is what I practice. It includes a complex, individualized plan of prenatal vitamins, essential fatty acids, probiotics, antioxidants and chinese herbal formula. This is the style I practice and give to my patients. The full treatment plan, not just acupuncture. It is proven to improve pelvic blood flow to your uterus, ovaries and developing follicles, reduce stress, and improve hormonal balance.
When do I start?
I recommend the 12 sessions be started 90 days before retrieval. Once weekly to start your eating plan, and supplements for egg quality. Then I recommend twice a week once suppression meds have started and up until egg retrieval. This improves the fresh oxygenated blood flow to the developing follicles.
Go back to once weekly until transfer. Then I recommend transfer day acupuncture on site before and after the transfer to decrease stress and keep the uterus calm.
My goal is always to help women conceive naturally with as little intervention as possible. I have helped many women conceive naturally who were told by their reproductive endocrinologist that they would never conceive without IVF. Some women will conceive in the 90 day pre conception window while preparing for IVF.
Peace, love, and babies,
Joy Lechner, MSOM, L.Ac.
Owner of Nourished Roots
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