Acupuncture and Pregnancy, Fertility and IVF

Fertility and Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Fertility specialists recognise that acupuncture increases the success rate of becoming pregnancy and can reduce the unwanted side effects of pregnancy allowing greater comfort to full term. A general list of conditions is as follows:

Digestion: morning sickness
Pain: backache, Carpal tunnel syndrome
Emotional factors: stress and anxiety
Urinary incontinence and water retention
Other: high blood pressure, fatigue and insomnia

Midwives have also acknowledged that a certain Chinese Medicine technique can be used to turn breeched babies. The method involves warming an area on the little toe with a soothing Chinese herb called moxa. This non-invasive procedure increases the chance, of the baby turning, up to 60% and it is advisable to try it before using more surgical measures (caesarean).

Acupuncture is also useful for inducing labour if the baby's arrival is late. There are specific acupuncture prescriptions used in this event.

Postnatal conditions, such as insufficient lactation and depression can also be treated.

Unexplained Infertility and IVF

In my experience, I have seen a great number of couples with no obvious health problems (diagnosed by a conventional practitioner) having trouble conceiving. Traditional Chinese Medicine acknowledges the complexities of the reproductive system and diagnoses fertility issues in a completely different manner.

I have found that dietary deficiencies, lack of sleep, overwork and high stress levels to be commonplace amongst these patients (both female and male). Chinese medicine understands that these factors have a profound influence of the vital substances (Qi, Blood, Yin, Yang and Jing), which are needed to allow successful conception.

Acupuncture can be used on its own to increase the success rate of becoming pregnant although I have often seen it used in conjunction with IVF treatment. Regular acupuncture sessions can result in the following beneficial effects:

Regulation of hormonal imbalances to treat gynaecological abnormalities (such as: polycystic ovaries, endometriosis, fibroids, PMS, dysmenorrhoea, irregular periods)
Induces relaxation thus reducing anxiety and stress
Thickens endometrium by increasing uterine blood flow (for more effective implantation)
Production of better quality eggs by improving ovarian function.
Reduction in the probability of threatened miscarriage
Alleviation of side effects from associated hormonal treatment (hot flushes etc)
Men: Increased sperm count, sperm mobility and sperm morphology

Furthermore, acupuncture can help decrease uterine contractions thereby allowing a greater chance of successful implantation.

For treatment to be successful, each member of the couple involved must be hormonally health prior to undergoing IVF treatment. A minimum of 3 months preparation is advised to allow stabilisation of the patients endocrine system, which regulates hormonal control.

Acupuncture and IVF in the News (Oct 2007)

With recent research making such headlines, I've added some comment here. I'll have more to say when I get a hold of the study itself.