IVF & Infertility Treatment

When should I start treatment?

It is recommended by us that treatment begin at least three months before any fertility treatments will be started. Continued treatment through the first three months of pregnancy is also beneficial.
Whilst seeing an acupuncturist twice may be all you need to deal with sciatic pain in your leg, it probably won't be so helpful when dealing with infertility. "This is because the acupuncture has a cumulative effect on hormonal changes throughout the cycle.
However, if weekly treatment for three months doesn't sound like your thing, it may be beneficial to receive treatment just before and after an IVF embryo transfer. Research on infertility has shown that treatment on the day of the embryo transfer may increase your chances of success.

What happens during my treatments?

During the first session 40 minutes is set aside for asking questions and consultation, and 30 minutes for the actual acupuncture treatment. A full history is taken, and questions are asked that are similar to those a medical doctor would ask, but we also ask questions about lifestyle and general well being which are important for us in looking for patterns of disharmony. Symptom in Chinese Medicine only really makes sense except in relation to other signs and symptoms hence why the consultation is so comprehensive. The treatment itself involves placing tiny, hair-thin acupuncture needles in different spots on the body. "The needles are sterilized and single-use, and about 15 are used in a treatment. You will probably hardly know they have been inserted and hopefully feel relaxed and calm during the treatment. The position of the needles will vary between treatments as we respond to the stages of your cycle or IVF treatment, and of course the changes in you that we observe.