| Today, many couples who are trying to get pregnant | | | | Perhaps part of the reason that the scientific |
| are looking to use just about any type of treatment | | | | community is still debating about whether or not |
| they can, and this open-mindedness significantly | | | | acupuncture can help a couple successfully undergo |
| increases a couple's chances of eventually conceiving | | | | IVF is that no one really knows how it works. The |
| a child and having a successful pregnancy. One way | | | | whole treatment is based on very Eastern ideas |
| to incorporate this new open-minded feel during | | | | about energy pathways in the body, which don't |
| infertility treatments is to mix new technology with | | | | actually match up with any systems that scientists |
| alternative therapies - a sort of mixing of traditionally | | | | can study, but regardless of how acupuncture works, |
| Eastern treatments with more Western medical | | | | it's certain that the therapy does have some good |
| practices. More and more couples are using this | | | | effects on the body. |
| mixture by combining acupuncture and IVF, which has | | | | Most acupuncturists will explain the therapy in terms |
| been shown to significantly improve chances of | | | | of its effects on the nervous system, and this |
| pregnancy in some couples. | | | | seems to be supported by some science. For |
| How Well it Works | | | | instance, those therapists who do believe that |
| There are still many debates in the Western scientific | | | | acupuncture can be a helpful complementary |
| community about whether or not acupuncture | | | | treatment to IVF tend to think that it helps regulate |
| actually does increase a couple's chances of a | | | | the hormones that help a woman become fertile and |
| successful IVF pregnancy, but the evidence in favor | | | | grow a healthy fetus or that the procedure reduces |
| of combining the two approaches is steadily | | | | stress and calms the nervous system, which can |
| increasing. The first major study that showed good | | | | most certainly help women become pregnant and |
| results for IVF was conducted in Germany in 2002; | | | | have a successful pregnancy. |
| during this study, 43% of women who underwent | | | | Finding an Acupuncturist |
| acupuncture just before and just after IVF got | | | | Actually going to an acupuncturist for the first time |
| pregnant, but only 26% of women who did not use | | | | may be a little strange for you and your partner, but |
| acupuncture became pregnant. During this study, the | | | | they aren't hard to find. In fact, many traditional |
| rates of miscarriage after IVF were also significantly | | | | doctors complement their practice with acupuncture, |
| lower for women who used acupuncture to | | | | so you can go to an actual medical doctor for the |
| complement the ART treatment. | | | | therapy if that makes you more comfortable. |
| Other studies have shown promising results for | | | | Regardless of whether you do this or go to a |
| acupuncture, although some have also seemed to | | | | therapist who specializes in acupuncture, be sure that |
| show that the studies actually had a placebo effect | | | | you ask about the person's certifications; as long as |
| and that simply thinking acupuncture would help did | | | | you're working with a well-trained professional, |
| help. However, one scientist, Dr. Alice Domar, which | | | | acupuncture isn't at all dangerous and shouldn't even |
| works at Boston IVF, Inc., said that her study, which | | | | hurt, though it sounds a little painful to some. |
| seemed to point to a placebo effect for | | | | Also, because of the evidence that supports using |
| acupuncture, still recommended the procedure to her | | | | acupuncture alongside IVF, some IVF clinics are now |
| patients. After her study, Dr. Domar thought that | | | | incorporating acupuncture therapy into their courses |
| perhaps acupuncture is most helpful for couples who | | | | of treatment. If you can find such a clinic near you, |
| have vital, healthy embryos to transfer during IVF | | | | you may be able to purchase acupuncture sessions in |
| and that because the procedure costs comparatively | | | | a package with rounds of IVF, which could make the |
| little, it is worthwhile for most couples. | | | | whole process simpler and maybe a little more |
| How it Works | | | | affordable. |