ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY (ART) & IVF
All treatment plans are tailored to the patient’s diagnosis, which is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine.
However, given below are the usual numbers of acupuncture treatments recommended during Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and IVF as a guide.
Prior to the start of ART & IVF
Acupuncture treatment is optimally started 2-3 months prior to an IVF or medicated cycle, with weekly sessions. This helps to regulate hormones, improve blood circulation and reduce stress/anxiety; therefore enabling the best chances of success in reaching a healthy pregnancy.
During Down Regulation
1-2 treatments/week to help relieve stress, reduce any unwanted drug side effects and to prepare the body.
During Ovarian Stimulation
1-2 treatments/week to assist with ovarian response, improve egg quality, optimise endometrial lining and relieve stress.
At Egg Ripening
1 treatment post hCG injection to support ripening of the follicles.
At Egg Retrieval
1 treatment immediately prior to egg retrieval to reduce stress.
Embryo Transfer Day
1 treatment 30mins before embryo transfer and 1 treatment 30mins after embryo transfer, in order to reduce uterine contractions, increase implantation chances and reduce stress.
Implantation to pregnancy test
Possibly 1 treatment to aid implantation and secure the foetus.
Post Positive Pregnancy test
1 treatment/week for up to 12 weeks, to support the pregnancy and reduce the chances of miscarriage.
Links:
“Acupuncture can increase the chances of getting pregnant for women undergoing fertility treatment by 65%,” according to The Guardian’s news pages...
Acupuncture May Improve Success Rate of Test-Tube Pregnancies
Acupuncture for Childbirth Team (ACT) East Anglia http://acteastanglia.co.uk/