ACUPUNCTURE FOR FERTILITY SUPPORT

in Warragul and Korumburra

It seems like us gals spend the majority of our late teens and early adulthood trying not to fall pregnant, so what happens when you’re finally ready for parenthood and .... birds are chirping?

There are many reasons why you may be struggling to conceive, and not all of them are just about the mum-to-be...  so what next?

Want to try to conceive naturally? Need IVF support? Undergoing IVF and having an embryo transfer? Is it a period issue? Blood flow? Declining ovarian reserve?

Take the holistic approach to fertility. You are MORE than just a uterus!

TRYING TO START, OR STARTING TO TRY?

A 2016 Australian trial reported that a  course of acupuncture treatments halves the time it takes to fall pregnant compared to making lifestyle changes alone (which I still recommend!).

ENDOMETRIUM NOT HAPPY?

Research (2022) shows that the more acupuncture you have, the happier and more receptive the endometrium (uterine lining, where the embryo implants) is!

GOT PCOS AND YOUR PERIOD GONE AWOL?

My peecoz babes, this is not the end of the world. In fact, many Key Acupuncture babies (not my ACTUAL babies) give the middle finger to this diagnosis. A 2020 systematic review in the prestigious journal Medicine concluded that acupuncture “could promote the recovery of menstrual cycles AND down-regulate LH and testosterone in patients with PCOS.” #Winning.

GOING THE IVF ROUTE?

This 2021 overview of systematic reviews (the GOLDEST of the gold standards of statistical analysis. Yes, I am a giant nerd), says acupuncture may be “beneficial in increasing the pregnancy rate”.

A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis conducted here in Australia reported that acupuncture “may have a SIGNIFICANT EFFECT on clinical pregnancy rates”, particularly when used by women who have had “multiple previous IVF cycles.”

A 2016 systematic review and meta-analysis shows acupuncture improves clinical pregnancy rates - and another systematic review and meta-analysis which looked at trials involving  6,344 participants, found that acupuncture improves the clinical pregnancy rate among women undergoing IVF.

GETTING PAST THE CHEMICAL

Many a tear has been shed in clinic over recurring implantation failure, so heartbreaking. A 2021 systematic review + meta analysis concluded that acupuncture is a safe, effective and suitable option, which can improve pregnancy outcomes. This sparks joy. Smiley face.

CLINICAL NUTRITION + LIFESTYLE

If you have made positive lifestyle changes, and it’s STILL not happening, you may decide to go down the assisted reproduction route. It’s not all up to the uterus holder either. Both you AND the sperm carrier (no dissing the trad hetero-normative Mum/Dad, but let’s face it.. times ARE a-changing!), need support to put you in the best possible position you can be. That means we go through EVERYTHING with a fine-toothed comb. I really DO need to know all the things so I can tailor treatments just for you. Optimal diet? Yep. Nutrition? Yep. Supplements? yep. Mental health support? Oh my lordy, YES. #AllTheThings.

IVF is expensive, stressful and not always successful. It is HARD work, and I applaud your determination and am here for all the ups and downs, including the weight gain and hormonal mood swings that the providers LOVE to gloss over. Strap in folks, bumpy road ahead.

IVF/ART SWINGS + ROUNDABOUTS. NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED.

The IVF/ART process is not perfect. I am constantly amazed when a patient returns from their initial consult with the IVF/ART provider seemingly BLISSFULLY UNAWARE of what a rollercoaster they have just boarded. I, on the other hand, am more than happy to be the (boring) voice of realism. You WILL gain weight. You WILL experience mood swings like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. It is emotionally, physically and financially draining. I got your back on all the stuff. I have supported a LOT of humans on this journey. I would love to support you too.

PCOS + OHSS?

Acupuncture decreases risk of ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome when undergoing IVF.

You’ve had your cycle regulated, your follicles stimulated, your eggs harvested and fertilised and bingo! They’re ready to be transplanted!!

Anxiety and stress have a severe negative impact on the body, which is the last thing you want when you’re about to spend a lot of time and  money on IVF. A study published in 2017 looked at the effect of acupuncture on self-perceived stress levels, reporting decreases perceived stress levels over the course of IVF treatment.  

I would love to help you get where you want to be. Let’s get the ball rolling. X

If you want to get all sciencey - here’s the link to my blog with all the research.