Going through IVF can be such a stressful experience and can put a lot of tension on your body making it more likely for you to experience complications with the process. Reducing your stress is key for the IVF to be as successful as possible and acupuncture can be one of the best ways to do this. Focusing on all aspects of the body with acupuncture can support you through IVF, helping you on your fertility journey.
Acupuncture can help to relieve stress and it promotes relaxation throughout your body which is very beneficial when going through IVF treatments and it also helps to improve your general wellbeing.
What stage of IVF is best to get acupuncture treatment?
There are a variety of key times to get acupuncture treatment when you are going through IVF.
In the lead up to your cycle:
Having acupuncture treatment at the start of your IVF treatment will increase blood flow to your reproductive organs, giving you a greater chance of falling pregnant with IVF. It will also reduce your stress and anxiety and force your muscles to relax creating the perfect environment for the embryo.
Start of your IVF:
Having acupuncture treatment at the start of your IVF treatment will increase blood flow to your reproductive organs, giving you a greater chance of falling pregnant with IVF. It will also reduce your stress and anxiety and force your muscles to relax creating the perfect environment for the embryo.
Before and after embryo transfer:
It is ideal to have acupuncture treatment just before and after your embryo transfer and even better if you can do it on the day of the transfer and once the embryo has been transferred. Then you should have about 2 sessions in the first week after your transfer for the highest success rate.
The waiting period:
All of these stages can cause a lot of stress and anxiety, making your body go into overtime. You need to stay as calm and relaxed as possible for the IVF to have the best chance of working. The waiting period which is usually 2 weeks is probably one of the most stressful stages of IVF. Getting a gentle acupuncture treatment can be extremely comforting, supporting your mind and your body and getting rid of your tension. It is usually best to get your acupuncture treatment after your first week of the waiting period as this is when you will be the most tense and anxious.
Does acupuncture treatment increase the success of IVF?
It can be frustrating, but despite your best efforts falling pregnant can be out of your control. Whatever the reason for this you are not alone, and it isn’t your fault!
Acupuncture can help people in different ways but there is a lot of evidence to show that acupuncture treatment does increase the success of IVF.
Helps your blood flow:
To get pregnant successfully your body needs to have a good flow of blood in order for the reproductive system to work the best it can. Stress and anxiety can weaken your blood flow and can restrict the blood to the uterus and ovaries. Acupuncture can help with this as it causes the blood vessels to dilate once the nervous system has slowed down which will release a flow of blood to the correct parts of the body to help with IVF treatment.
This will help you respond positively to fertility methods and medications and creating the perfect environment for implantation.
Reduces stress:
Going through IVF is a stressful time for everyone involved. When you are stressed your body responds in ways that could result in a complication with your IVF treatment, keeping your stress levels down is key to success! When the needles are placed into your skin it provides a natural stress release and can be affective after just one session. Your muscles are forced to relax with acupuncture, slowing down your breathing, and calming your mind. This can have such a good impact on your IVF treatment as it keeps your anxiety and stress under control which can lead to a healthy pregnancy.
When you use acupuncture to support you through IVF it can really guide you to a successful pregnancy and a lot of people have gotten through IVF with the help of this treatment.
Reduces hormone levels:
It’s no secret that when you are pregnant your hormones can go crazy which can be hard for everyone involved. Acupuncture helps to balance your hormones by increasing your blood flow which also reduces your chances of having a miscarriage because your body will be working the way that it should.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture is believed to stimulate the nervous system which releases natural chemicals throughout the body. You can get acupuncture in different areas of your body to trigger a variety of responses that suit your needs. It is a natural healing method with a lot of great success and can change your physical and mental wellbeing.
The natural method of using acupuncture needles encourages your body to work naturally, releasing chemicals that can help manage pain, manage stress and anxiety, and improve your general wellbeing. It also has lots of long term affects that can benefit you for many years.
Acupuncture can help in so many different ways, and if you are planning to go through IVF treatment and want the highest success rate then this method is perfect for you! Everybody is different and the acupuncture treatment may not work the same way for everyone, but there is a lot of evidence to suggest that it helps your chances of falling pregnant with IVF and it is perfect to keep you relaxed and stress free as you go through the journey.
If you have any questions about acupuncture supporting you through IVF then please feel free to get in touch with us.
