If you have been struggling to conceive, by the time you have reached the stage of IVF, you will have invested considerable money and time into the process. Increase the chances of successful conception using IVF, a proven way of assisting chances of conception.
There have been a number of studies carried out that show acupuncture during IVF can increase the chances of a successful conception. There are a variety of ways that acupuncture assists with this. Optimise your chances of success with your IVF treatment using this non-invasive, gentle therapy with proven results.
​Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice of medical care. Practiced from thousands of years ago, it started as a way of unblocking pathways, called 'meridians' in the body, that allowed Qi (chi) to flow freely. The theory was that inserting needles in certain points in the body allowed this Qi to flow, restoring balance of the yin and yang.
These days, modern science has explored acupuncture and while the exact mechanisms for its success are unknown, there are some theories about why it works.
There are a variety of mechanisms that acupuncture performs. In general, there are two functions that many people seek out acupuncture for.
It can help release the body's natural painkillers. These opioids have an analgesic effect, offering relief from pain.
Acupuncture changes the way the brain receives and relays information about pain. The way the brain perceives pain and the way the spinal cord transmits the information are changed.
These are obviously tremendously beneficial to any pain, from migraines and headaches through to treatment for injuries and chronic pain. For IVF and other reproductive issues, there are three less-well-known benefits.
Acupuncture regulates blood flow. It can help to better manage blood vessels, constricting or dilating as required. This helps in a number of ways- it provides better circulation to the affected area. This extra blood flow provides extra nutrients for repair of any damage. It also helps by removing swelling and bruising. In particular for IVF and other reproductive issues, this is invaluable to increase blood flow to the ovaries and uterus.
Stress is a big factor in many couple's inability to fall pregnant. Stress releases cortisol, which decreases the likelihood of a successful conception and healthy pregnancy. Acupuncture helps to lower stress, increasing the odds of successful conception. This 2009 study tested women for stress levels on the day of embryo transfer. 67% of the women who received acupuncture fell pregnant, compared to only 42.5% without acupuncture. The women who had acupuncture treatment had lower stress scores both before and after treatment. This also has affects going into pregnancy too, with high stress being linked to lower weight babies at birth.
Hormone regulation, specifically modulating cytokines, increases the successful implantation rate. These cytokines play an important role in pregnancy, modulating inflammatory responses.
Why does acupuncture help with successful IVF?
In particular, the increased blood flow has multiple positive effects for the woman's body and receptivity for IVF. A 2002 German study showed the startling results; of those women receiving acupuncture while undergoing IVF, 42.5% resulted in a successful conception. Only 26.3% of the control group that did not get acupuncture conceived.
A study from Homerton University in London tested 160 couples suffering from fertility problems. Half of them received acupuncture. A year afterwards, 46.2% of those who underwent acupuncture had become pregnant. Only 21.7% of those that had not had acupuncture were pregnant.
With the increased blood flow, there are increased chances of the uterus developing the all-important, highly fertile triple-layer endometrial lining. This improves uterine receptivity. Use of acupuncture makes the woman far more likely to fall pregnant.
Stress can have some very negative effects on the likelihood of falling pregnant. If you are stressed, you may not conceive, which gets you more stressed. Acupuncture is widely understood to help alleviate stress, which not only helps with conception rates, but also helps to ensure the baby is healthy. Stress during pregnancy results in preterm birth and lower weight babies. Acupuncture has also been shown to be a promising treatment for depression before and during pregnancy.
Further studies in the US have shown that acupuncture increased live birth rates, making this a treatment that should be continued throughout pregnancy to ensure the best outcomes for the child (and mother). Acupuncture assists with morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum, helping to control rising HCG levels in the pregnant woman.
There are a variety of complaints arising from the weight of carrying the baby. The increased pressure on the hips can tilt them forward, and the extra weight places the spine under extra stress. This in turn can lead to headaches, pubic or sacroiliac pain. Acupuncture, using the mechanisms of natural pain relief, can help to address this extra pain.
​Later on in the pregnancy, you may find that your baby is in the breech, transverse, oblique or posterior position. This typically requires medical intervention. Acupuncture can help to turn the baby without any conventional treatments or assistance. This needs to be addressed in the 32nd/ 33rd week of pregnancy.
Take your time and find a good practitioner that you trust and feel comfortable with. They should be a member of the NZ Acupuncture Standards Authority or other regulatory body.
The therapist should spend time with you, covering any medical issues and what you expect from the treatment. They will outline a course of treatment, advising you when you should start and how long the treatments will continue for. Everyone is different and as a result, every course of treatment should be different- there is no 'one size fits all' approach in acupuncture. Your treatment should be created for you, for the symptoms you are experiencing and tailored towards the outcome you want.
Part of acupuncture is the holistic nature of the treatment. Your therapist may recommend complementary therapies or dietary/ exercise changes. This is designed to get optimal results and to prepare your body.
Make sure you leave plenty of time for treatments before your implantation date, usually about three months before the IVF process starts. Your acupuncturist may recommend a series of treatments in the lead up to the IVF to help increase chances of conception. If possible, start treatments up to a few months before, to help lowering stress, making the uterine lining more receptive, and readying the body for conception and carrying the baby.
Contact Angelique today to find out when you should start treatments, and if acupuncture is the right treatment for you.