Are you considering starting to work with your Fertility Clinic on an IVF cycle? Or perhaps you are already preparing for IVF next month? Did you know that there are also natural therapies that can be excellent companions during this time?
Acupuncture and the IVF cycle
Acupuncture is fast becoming an important part of many women’s IUI and IVF cycles. More women working with Reproductive Endocrinologists are seeking out acupuncture as a supportive therapy during their programs. A number of fertility clinics now recommend it as a safe therapy to help prepare the body alongside conventional fertility treatments. It is often lauded as a natural way to help relieve stress during this time.
Arvigo® Therapy and the IVF cycle
Arvigo Therapy® is a gentle, external massage treatment that focuses on regaining the optimal flow of vital fluids and energy to the abdominal area. It is often also known as “Maya Fertility Massage”, as it has traditionally been sought out for all types of women’s health issues, including subfertility. This therapy helps to balance blood and nutrient flow to the reproductive organs and helps the body carry away waste with the lymph fluid.
Abdominal massage work can also support the optimal position of the uterus, thereby improving fresh blood flow to the uterus and ovaries.
Timing treatments during your cycle
Ideally allow a 3 month period of treatment prior to trying to conceive in an ART cycle. However, if you have already begun the process this supportive approach can still be safely be done at most stages of the cycle. Depending on where you are at in the process, we’ll customize the best schedule for you.
Before starting the IVF process
Acupuncture
In order to optimize a successful cycle, it is generally recommended to start acupuncture treatments at least 3 months prior to the start of any fertility treatments. Think of this as the ideal time to build up the body’s natural reserves. During this time you may also be planning to step up healthy nutrient intake, relaxation methods and finetune supplements and vitamins.
For some women, based on fertility history, maternal age and other serious health factors, a longer time frame of 4-6 months preparation time might be needed.
Your practitioner will want to see you on a fairly regular basis and will customize a treatment plan based on what is needed at each step. In general we see patients on a weekly basis, often alternating acupuncture with abdominal therapy treatments. Self care recommendations such as castor pack therapy or pelvic steaming are customized for each person.
If you have less time to work with it can still be very beneficial to get acupuncture during this time. We recommend having more frequent acupuncture treatments in the 4-8 weeks prior to retrieval and transfer. Depending on your TCM diagnosis, fertility profile and ultrasound results, acupuncture could be scheduled for 1-3 times per week.
Arvigo® Therapy
During a natural cycle, the ideal time to receive this massage is in the window after menstruation and before ovulation occurs. During this time your ovarian follicles are maturing and can benefit from increased circulation. However, with IVF, timing gets more specific. If you plan to start IVF next cycle, here are two possibilities.
1. If this is still an active ‘trying to conceive’ cycle
Then you would time abdominal therapy to coincide with the natural follicular phase.
2. If you this is not an active ‘trying to conceive’ cycle
If you are taking a break from trying before starting IVF – then it is possible to have the abdominal therapy at any point during the menstrual cycle (except when you have your period).
As you prepare for an ART cycle, this massage can also help balance mood and relax the nervous system. This is a relaxing, emotionally supportive treatment during a time that may be stressful for some women.
You will also learn the self care abdominal massage techniques that can be done on a daily basis at home. These will help to prolong the effect of the professional treatments.
During the IVF cycle
Acupuncture
During the IVF process we usually like to see most patients 1-2 times per week, especially during the stimulation stage and right before and after retrieval and transfer. Again, this can vary based on each individual’s situation.
Arvigo® Therapy
Once your IVF cycle starts, the massage can be performed once a week up to when the stimulation process begins. Ideally, aim for for 3 visits leading up to stimulation of the ovaries. Once the injection stage begins, it is still possible to have this massage but the protocol is modified to be much lighter. It can still be very beneficial for women who are experiencing excessive bloating and/or constipation during this stage.
If you can, it is also helpful to schedule an Arvigo® session just prior to a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) or prior to IUI. Abdominal massage (including self massage) is not done after the transfer or IUI. Other supportive therapies such as Acupuncture are safe to use during this period.
Acupuncture pre and post embryo transfer
Perhaps you are reading this with only a few days left before your retrieval and/or transfer date (for FET). Even if you can ONLY fit acupuncture into this schedule, it can still be helpful. There is a lot of research showing “day of transfer” acupuncture can help with relaxation, blood flow and stress reduction.
We offer pre and post transfer acupuncture on location at our clinic. The closest appointment time you can comfortably book in for is best (ideally within 24 hours of the procedure at your fertility clinic).
Acupuncture in the 2 week wait
1-2 acupuncture treatments are recommended during the 2-week period after your embryo transfer, as you wait for pregnancy testing. Here, the focus is on supporting your body during what are potentially the early stages of implantation and pregnancy – and keeping you relaxed as you wait.
Acupuncture during pregnancy
In early pregnancy and onward, acupuncture can be a great natural health tool. It can help with morning sickness, headaches and many other issues for which you may not be able to take medications. Acupuncture is specifically very gentle during this time, and treatments are usually shorter. We suggest weekly treatments for the first trimester (12 weeks) if possible. As pregnancy progresses your acupuncturist will provide options for alternate positions (side lying or propped up with pillows) so that you will be comfortable.
NEXT STEPS
Have questions about Fertility Acupuncture or Arvigo® Therapy and how it might fit in your plan? Please contact me for a free consultation call to discuss your situation and get more specific details.
