There is a saying in Japanese culture,
that if the spirit of the unborn child is strong and vibrant,
you will be able to boil a kettle over the navel of the mother's belly

Acupuncture support during any kind of assisted treatment can be very beneficial, on both the physical level and the emotional level. Assisted treatment can be very stressful, which in itself can inhibit a successful outcome. Acupuncture works on many levels, helping to calm the whole system and creating a much more receptive space for conception. It greatly increases blood flow to the uterus and it has a well understood neurological effect, calming to the nervous system. It is also understood to greatly relax uterine muscles which has a beneficial effect during any transfer treatment.

Assisted conception may include :

IUI: intrauterine insemination
IVF: in vitro fertilisation
ICSI: intracytoplasmic sperm injection
GIFT: gamete intrafallopian transfer
ZIFT: zygote intrafallopian transfer
PESA: percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration
ET: embryo transfer
TESE: testicular sperm extraction
SUZI: subzonal sperm injection
DI: donor insemination
FERC: frozen embryo replacement cycle
PGD: preimplantation genetic diagnosis
PGS: preimplantation genetic screening

Some assisted conception protocols may involve some kind of hormonal drug therapy, used to control the body's hormone levels to try and enhance conception. Some women may find the hormone therapy can impact on their well being with side affects that may make them feel uncomfortable. Acupuncture is excellent for helping the system to acclimatise to the drug therapy, in many ways helping women to feel more comfortable during their assisted cycles.

Many couples find the whole process of an assisted conception quite stressful. There may be considerable running around, back and forth from their fertility unit for various tests and scans throughout the procedure, which can take up to 6 weeks. Acupuncture during this time can be very calming, many women comment on how well it helps them to cope with the strains of keeping up the treatment.

It is recommended that both partners consider the benefits of acupuncture support in the lead up to an assisted protocol, to enhance the health of the sperm and eggs, and to promote the most receptive environment for conception.