One of the important types of work I am regularly involved in as an acupuncturist is assisting those undergoing invitro fertilisation or IVF. The word ‘invitro’ means ‘outside the body’ and refers to the fertilisation of an embryo by sperm in the laboratory, as opposed to the normal internal or invivo process. It is the method of last resort, used after other technologies have failed. The process involves chemically ‘downregulating’ the pituitary gland, followed by ‘hyperstimulation’ of the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. The eggs are retrieved, washed and fertilised using sperm from the partner. Incubation of the eggs for a few days results in some viable embyos of 6-8 cells each which are graded for quality and then transferred into the patients uterus. The success rates (live births) are highly dependant on age and vary from 40% for those under 35 years to 12% at 42 years.
Research has shown (see http://www.acuweb.org.uk) that concurrent treatment with acupuncture during the IVF process improves success rates by a further 15%. Ideally I prefer to see prospective patients for 4-6 weeks prior to embryo implantation in order to prepare them physiologically and psychologically for the event. It is also important to see them pre and post embryo implantation on the day of transfer for maximum benefit.
