How to Prepare for IVF According to a Fertility Acupuncturist

I’ve helped hundreds of people go through the IVF, or in vitro fertilization, process. The thing that always makes the most impact is prioritizing preconception care. Spending a few months before your IVF cycle to improve your health may be the last thing you want to hear if you’ve already been trying to conceive for years, but but using this time productively can make all the difference in creating your family.

Why do we need preconception care? The egg that is going to ovulate each menstrual cycle is recruited 3-4 months before ovulation. This means that everything you did the past few months is affecting the health of the egg that you are currently ovulating. The health of your pelvic environment directly impacts the health of your ovaries and eggs. Your ovaries need healthy blood circulation, balanced hormones, specific nutrients, and low levels of inflammation to reach their peak fertility potential. So the most important part of the IVF process is the 3 months before the retrieval. This is the minimum amount of time to optimize egg quality. So what should you focus on for preconception care?

Start getting regular Acupuncture. Regular acupuncture treatments before an egg retrieval or embryo transfer can help improve blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and regulate the nervous system. A 2019 meta analysis that studied the results of 1,980 women undergoing IVF showed that acupuncture increased positive pregnancy tests by 28-32%, ongoing pregnancy rates by 42%, and live birth rate by 30%. Using traditional Chinese medicine as a whole (including tools like acupuncture, Chinese herbs, cupping, diet therapy, lifestyle recommendations, or moxibustion as appropriate to the individual was associated with more live births (61.3%) compared to no TCM treatment at all (48.2%). There were also less biochemical pregnancies and miscarriages.

Optimize blood circulation. Healthy blood circulation to the reproductive organs means more nutrients and oxygen can reach your eggs. As we age and during times of stress, our blood circulation is diverted from our digestive system and reproductive organs. Healthy blood flow may help improve your response to fertility medications, increase the amount of eggs retrieved and increase pregnancy rates. Increased uterine blood flow also helps ensure a thick uterine lining and provides an ideal environment for implantation of an embryo. I tell my patients to prioritize daily movement and light exercise (a combination of cardio and strength training) a few times per week. Aim for weekly acupuncture, make sure your iron levels are sufficient, consume enough omega 3 fatty acids, and decrease stress.

Regulate your nervous system. There’s no denying that IVF and fertility struggles are stressful. But doing what you can to mitigate the stress response can help ensure healthy ovulation, keep hormones happy, and allow healthy blood circulation to your reproductive organs. Acupuncture is a wonderful way to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, or the opposite of the body’s fight or flight (sympathetic) response. It’s been shown to reduce IVF related anxiety and embryo transfer day stress. There are also many studies showing the positive effects of mindfulness practices on IVF. I encourage my patients to explore meditation (there are some great Apps or free guided ones on YouTube), incorporate breathing techniques, enjoy pleasurable hobbies, and schedule regular down time.

Reduce inflammation. Keeping chronic inflammation at bay is key to optimizing fertility and preserving egg quality. One of the most effective ways to reduce inflammation is through diet. The consumption of a Mediterranean diet, which is high anti-inflammatory foods, has been shown to improve IVF pregnancies. The Mediterranean diet generally emphasizes a plant-based diet with whole grains, olive oil, legumes, nuts and seeds, and small amounts of animal protein like chicken and fish. Other ways to reduce inflammation are regular exercise, stress management, key supplementation (like vitamin D, B vitamins, CoQ10, and omega 3 fatty acids), get 7-8 hours of sleep, maintain a healthy weight, and keep your blood sugar stable.

Sperm is 50% of the picture. Yes, healthy eggs are important, but research is finding that sperm quality has a huge impact on fertilization and blastocyst rates on embryos retrieved via IVF. So the guys need to be doing everything their female partner is doing such as taking fertility boosting supplements, getting regular exercise, reducing stress, eating well, and getting acupuncture treatments.

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In healing,

Allison