Acupuncture + In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can significantly improve the outcome of assisted reproductive technology by:
Improving blood flow to the reproductive organs
Increasing egg quality + uniform development
Balancing hormones
Thickening the uterine lining
Preventing or resolving small cysts and polyps
Reducing stress and anxiety
Keeping you strong and healthy
For optimal results
To optimize your In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) or Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) cycle, I recommend twice weekly or weekly acupuncture leading up to the day of your egg retrieval, embryo transfer, or IUI, beginning anywhere from one to six months beforehand. I also recommend once or twice weekly acupuncture for at least 2 weeks following your transfer or IUI to help hold the pregnancy.
acupuncture services for ivf
Acupuncture Leading up to Egg Retrieval and/or Transfer
Acupuncture 1-2 times per week can greatly increase a positive outcome of an egg retrieval and fresh or frozen embryo transfer. I recommend starting your acupuncture sessions as soon as you are able, ideally, 3-6 months before the transfer. However, if you are able to begin acupuncture treatments a few weeks beforehand, that’s great, too! Click here to schedule your Initial Appointment.
Day of Embryo Transfer Acupuncture
Acupuncture Post Transfer
Acupuncture can help to hold the pregnancy, keep your hormones balanced, and reduce stress and anxiety after your transfer. I recommend acupuncture 1-2 times per week during the two-week wait until you test for pregnancy.
how to book ON-SITE ACUPUNCTURE FOR EMBRYO TRANSFER DAY
I travel to Conceptions Reproductive Associates of Colorado in Littleton to perform before and after acupuncture treatments on the day of your embryo transfer. I highly recommend getting consistent acupuncture treatments at my clinic in the weeks or months leading up to your egg retrieval and/or embryo transfer as well. Here’s how to book my services:
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Email (josie@intersectionalfertility.com), call (303-229-9684), or text me and let me know the date of your scheduled embryo transfer. If it’s available, I will reserve that date for you. I charge $300 for this service, and you can pay on the day of your transfer. I accept cash and all credit cards, including HSA cards. I cannot bill insurance for this service, unfortunately.
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When you find out the exact time of your embryo transfer, which will be about a week beforehand, let me know and I’ll send you detailed instructions for that day, including when to arrive for your lab work, when to empty your bladder and drink your water, when to take your Valium, and when to meet me for acupuncture.
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No problem! Contact me to set up your initial acupuncture session, or book online below. Consistent acupuncture anywhere from one to six months before your egg retrieval and/or embryo transfer can greatly increase the chances of conception and healthy pregnancy. Note: I do not travel to Conceptions for IUI procedures or egg retrievals—only embryo transfers.
additional support
self-paced online fertility program
Fertile is a queer, trans, and non-binary centered self-paced online program for folks with wombs to reclaim power over their fertility journey and conceive using the Whole Self Fertility Method™. My patients may register for Fertile here at any time. Sliding scale is available for all, and scholarships are available for BIPGM (aka BIPOC).
I recommend this program for anyone who is about to do an IUI or IVF cycle or who wants to conceive using any other method. One of the reasons I created this program is because there’s so much more info I’d like to share with my patients but we don’t have time during an acupuncture appointment. Fertile will beautifully complement your regular acupuncture sessions.
Acupuncture Throughout Pregnancy + Postpartum
Acupuncture is great for treating all the pregnancy symptoms that arise along the way because we can address them without using drugs, such as: nausea, fatigue, calf cramps, constipation, headaches, insomnia, heartburn, congestion, etc.
I also support folks postpartum as they recover from giving birth and begin their chest, breast, or body feeding journey.
Acupuncture is great for replenishing Qi (energy) and Blood loss from delivering, maintaining or increasing milk supply, treating mastitis, and other common postpartum conditions.
Acupuncture for Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) or any other method
For the same reasons that acupuncture and Chinese medicine are helpful for increasing positive outcomes with IVF, they are also extremely helpful for IUI, ICI, direct deposit, or any other method of conception. Not only will consistent acupuncture treatments help, but Chinese herbs, dietary and lifestyle recommendations (with consent) can also make a huge difference.
useful links
Pre-recorded webinars:
IVF Scientific Studies:
