Acupuncture and IVF
There is a lot of hype about whether acupuncture aids in conception with IVF. Some professionals believe it absolutely helps while others think it is just another expense to the couple.
Eric Manheimer, a research associate at the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for Integrative Medicine looked at seven trials that included 1,366 women undergoing IVF. Each trial compared acupuncture given within one day of the embryo transfer to sham acupuncture (using a placebo needle) or no acupunction. They found that the women who had the acupuncture increased their chances of becoming pregnant by 65 percent. This means that 10 women would need to be treated with acupunction to result in one additional pregnancy.
It was also found that in Centers where the pregnancy rates are already high, the benefit of acupuncture was small and non-significant.
At this time, most IVF patients who are participating in acupunction are doing so without the suggestion of their doctor. Rather, they choose to do so themselves. Dr. Owen K. Davis, co-director and associate professor at the Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility at Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York City said "I don't think we can say conclusively that acupuncture is effective or is anywhere near being a standard care, but it's not something I would discourage someone from trying if they wanted to. But I'm far removed from prescribing it to patients".
As a surrogate, I have worked with Intended Parents who felt it would be helpful. I went the Acupuncturist once a week while cycling to the transfer. Then the Acupuncturist met me at the IVF Center one hour before the transfer. I saw her one more time before my pregnancy test. I was pregnant, but no more pregnant than the other three times it was successful without acupuncture. I will say that acupuncture is very relaxing. You are at peace with yourself while you are laying there.
At this time incorporating acupunction into your IVF treatment is an individual decision. If you feel better having acupuncture, then if may work for you.
