Recent clinical research has shown that including acupuncture with IVF can improve your chances for a successful pregnancy as well as how you feel.
Here is a sample acupuncture schedule for IVF. Patients should note that treatment schedules can be subject to changes if there is a sudden stoppage of mediations or a drastic change of approach by is it subject to change based upon responses to medications and is subject to vary, based on the situation of the person.
| Down Regulation Phase | Medication or birth control is given to shut down your body’s natural hormone production. This gives the doctors better control of the IVF cycle when using the medications during IVF and improves the response of your ovaries to the hormone injections given in the stimulation phase. | Acupuncture 1 X a week |
| Ovarian Stimulation | Injectable medications given to increase growth of the follicles. | Acupuncture 1-2 X per week for 4 weeks before egg retrieval |
| Retrieval of Egg | Follicles are removed from the ovaries | Acupuncture treatment 1 or 2 days before retrieval |
| Embryo Transfer | Fertilized follicle is inserted back into the uterus | Acupuncture is recommended after transfer to help the embryo attach especially in women who have an expectancy rate of 35% or less**[women who have had 1 or more unsuccessful IVF cycles or women over the age of 35]. |
| Post Embryo Transfer | A positive pregnancy test or rising blood hCG levels Pregnancy test is given 7 to 10 days later to confirm pregnancy | By continuing to stimulate blood flow to the blastocyst, acupuncture helps to maintain the health and strength of the blastocyst- during the first 4 weeks of cellular growth ,Acupuncture 1 X a week |
| First trimester | Continues blood flow to now developed placenta that is growing the embryo 1 treatment per week until week 12 |
If you have been through several IVF cycles, it is recommended to treat twice a week for 4 to 6 weeks before and during the down regulation phase. Acupuncture is very helpful in stimulating more follicle development which means if you have the extra follicles from the IVF treatment, you can use them in the future, if the present cycle does not work out. This can be very reassuring to women to know they can still use their reserve eggs for future attempts if necessary.
Patients and experience show acupuncture helps the medications work better and also helps to reduce the unwanted side effects of the medications as well
Generating Better Follicles
If you are having unsuccessful IVF cycles due to poor quality eggs or are not making enough eggs, it takes 90 days to generate follicles. Acupuncture is recommended in these cases for three months before doing any further retrieval. Either in one or two ways depending on your condition.
1 treatment per week beginning 3 months before egg retrieval or 2 treatments per week for 4 weeks before egg retrieval.
Twice per week for 4 weeks before egg retrieval.
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