What is IVF/IUI & Egg Freezing
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), Intrauterine insemination (IUI) and Egg Freezing (EF) are common Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) treatments:
IVF is a procedure to preserve a woman's fertility by extracting, freezing, and storing her eggs. This involves stimulating the ovaries, retrieving the eggs, and freezing them at low temperatures for future use. Selected eggs are fertilised with sperms in a specialised laboratory to create embryos. The embryos are then selected and transferred into the woman’s uterus, through her cervix, to enhance the chances of pregnancy.
IUI is when the sperm is collected in advance and placed into a woman’s uterus when she is ovulating.
Egg freezing is very much like what is done for IVF, just that it doesn’t involve any fertilisation. It allows women to delay pregnancy, offering options for those facing medical treatments affecting fertility or if they are not ready to start a family yet.
TCM Complementary Care
TCM complements IVF, IUI, and egg freezing by enhancing fertility and overall well-being through holistic approaches. By balancing the body's energy, TCM can increase the success rates of assisted reproductive technologies, offering a natural and integrative support system for those undergoing fertility treatments.
Timing TCM with ART treatments
Before treatment
You are encouraged to start your acupuncture treatment at least three months before your IVF/IUI/EF treatment commences. This allows sufficient time for your physician to prime your body for the stimulation treatments.
Frequency: Typically once a week.
During treatment
Your first acupuncture session will take place after you have started on ovaries stimulations to produce more follicles as part of your IVF/IUI/EF treatment.
Frequency: Typically twice a week.
- For IUI: The last session usually ends 10 – 12 days after IUI treatment is completed.
- For IVF: The last session usually ends 10 – 12 days after the embryo transfer is completed.
- For EF: The last session usually ends after the egg retrieval is completed.
After treatment
When pregnancy is confirmed, acupuncture session is recommended. This is to provide a stable pregnancy journey.
Frequency: Typically once a week. Until the end of the 1st trimester.
Benefits of Acupuncture during ART
Before treatment:
- Calms patient and relaxes the uterus.
- Primes the body to ensure optimal condition during IUI/IVF/EF treatment.
During treatment: (during follicle stimulation phase)
- Strengthens the Spleen and Kidney to enhance their response to the Follicle Stimulation Hormones (FSH).
- Supports the Liver to improve blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, thereby improving the quality of follicles and thickening the endometrial lining.
After IUI or IVF embryo transfer:
- Improves circulation and reduces stress.
- Improves blood circulation to the uterus, thereby maintaining implantation and nourishment of embryos for a healthy and successful pregnancy.
