Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for couples who wish to have a baby. It can help prepare your body for natural conception. It can also support you physically and mentally through the process of getting pregnant with Assisted Reproductive Technologies, like IVF.
Preparing for conception with acupuncture
Acupuncture to support IVF patients
Preparing for conception with Acupuncture
Acupuncture can help enhance the chance of a successful pregnancy by preparing the couple both on the physical and mental levels. Receiving acupuncture treatments may help:
Improve egg quality, by enhancing the delivery of blood and nutrients to the developing eggs in the ovaries. When follicles receive an optimal supply of blood and oxygen, the egg they release have a higher fertilisation rate and development potential. This improves the chance of getting pregnant naturally or through IVF.
Better sperm quality and motility by increasing blood flow to the testes. This in turn improves the delivery of nutrients to the developing sperms, which may optimise sperm vitality.
Regulate the menstrual cycle. This means that the cycle’s length is the same duration month after month – usually around 28 days. A regular cycle indicates a likelihood that the reproductive hormones are balanced and that ovulation is occurring properly.
Reduce stress by lowering the circulation of stress hormones in the body. When choosing to conceive, freeing the body of stress not only benefits the general health of the body, it may also help the reproductive system to function more efficiently.
Acupuncture to support IVF patients
Acupuncture is a beneficial and highly supportive treatment at any stage of IVF. It can help manage the side effects of IVF medications such as fatigue, irritability and abdominal swelling or discomfort. It can also reduce anxiety, making IVF treatments a more comfortable experience.
Before and during the stimulation phase:
Acupuncture before and during the IVF stimulation phase focuses on improving egg quality and preparing the uterus for successful implantation. To do so, the treatments aim to increase blood flow both to the uterus and to the ovaries. They also focus on promoting regular menstrual cycle, as regular periods indicate that the reproductive hormones are functioning properly. Finally, another emphasis of acupuncture prior to the embryo transfer is to balance the immune system. This is to encourage the mother’s immune system not to reject the embryo in the early days, but rather to allow it to implant firmly for the pregnancy to establish itself.
Egg collection and sperm sample
Right before egg collection, acupuncture is a very relaxing treatment for both men and women. This could make the egg collection and the sperm sample production a smoother experience. After the egg collection, female patients undergo acupuncture to prepare for a calm and supportive environment to receive the embryo.
Frozen Embryo Transfer
During a frozen IVF cycle, acupuncture is used to create an environment that encourages the embryo to implant successfully. The treatments focus on improving the structure of the uterine lining to promote the chances of a successful implantation and pregnancy. The treatments also concentrate on calming the patient and balancing the immune system so to encourage the proper implantation of the embryo.
Acupuncture for pregnancy
Acupuncture is a safe and pleasant treatment during pregnancy. A lot of pregnant patients feel happy and relaxed after a treatment and they appreciate their pregnancy being more comfortable thanks to acupuncture.
Generally, the focus of the treatments is to keep the pregnant mother free of anxiety and her immune system well balanced. However, acupuncture can bring relief to a variety of conditions related to pregnancy such as:
- Morning sickness
- Aches, pains and physical discomfort
- Tiredness
- Anxiety
- Digestive issues
- High or low blood pressure
- Tender breasts
Preparing for Labour
Acupuncture treatments given weekly four weeks before the due date may promote a natural delivery. It could also encourage cervical dilation and this may lead to a shorter labour.
Also, through a technique called moxibustion, acupuncturist may help turn a breech baby.
With overdue pregnancies, acupuncture may help induce labour. The treatments can kick-start the natural process of birth, but it might take a few days to show. Of course, acupuncture can only give the baby a nudge, an invitation… but babies tend to come when they’re ready.
Acupuncture after birth
After the mother has given birth, acupuncture can be used to help her restore her energy levels, heal her body and relax her mind.
Acupuncture can also help with the ‘baby blues’ or post-natal depression – in both men and women. The treatments can be beneficial for post-natal symptoms such as anxiety, tiredness, moodiness, irritability, negative thoughts, difficulty sleeping and concentrating, etc… With the right support, you can regain your confidence and embrace parenthood.
Finally, acupuncture can effectively treat mastitis.
Both Murad and Fatima are members of the British Acupuncture Council.
The location of our acupuncture clinic is in Kingston-upon-Thames. We treat patients from all over Surrey and London.
