Treatment timeline:
Do you have the Time and consistency?
The common question I get on the very first phone call, “What does treatment timing look like?”
Over two decades I have learned the hard way - two factors play into the treatment plan: Time and Consistency.
Time and consistency make all the difference in your fertility. I can confidently state from clinical experience - consistency and time will change and balance reproductive hormones. It’s the sweet spot, where you have a possibility to cultivate a different outcome.
Time and consistency are precious in life. Here’s a rough idea of what to expect when entering acupuncture treatment for fertility.
TIME
Time in Treatment - I can say GENERALLY most women will be in a weekly treatment plan.
IUI - Weekly treatment to improve pelvice blood flow for enhancing uterine lining and egg growth. Treatment starting after the period arrives. Then appropriate timed treatments before and after the IUI.
IVF - Weekly treatment, possibly bi weekly depending on history of FSH/AMH and/or egg maturation and quanity in a previous cycle. Low AMH and/or high FSH, treatment should start before estrogen priming.
FET - Starting the month before transfer. Weekly treatment with onset of period. If lining is a compounding issue, treatment will start 2 months before transfer. Then treatment before and after transfer.
Working on Egg Quality for IVF - weekly treatments for a minimum of 3 months or until the next IVF cycle starts. You can try to naturally conceive while we are working together. Treatment will involve Chinese herbs and supplements.
Natural Conception - Every week until ovulation is regular or the cycle is in proper balance (follicular and luteal phases are the appropriate length for fertilization and implantation to occur). Treatment can take up to 3 months to observe collective differences. Every month you will be trying to conceive.
Pregnancy - Once pregnancy has been occurred, weekly acupuncture in the first trimester is recommended. Support of the woman’s body and the growing embryo helps with pregnancy symptoms and addresses anxiety around the fears of the finally being at this point. Monthly acupuncture up to week 34 can address issues that may pop up, such as high blood pressure, back pain, fluid retention, breach presentation and headaches. At week 36, week acupuncture prepares the woman to give birth and ensures Braxton hicks and contractions are appropriate timed for the due date.
Yes, there’s always an exception to the rule. Generally, this is the treatment process. The greatest impact I have with your fertility is weekly acupuncture, especially with enough time before entering any type of medicated cycle. If your situation requires a different treatment process, reach out to me - we can figure out what treatment can look like.
Now, I do home visits which will save you time from traveling to and from an office. No more driving and sitting waiting for your appointment. You could save about one hour a week. More time space for you. Plus, you can be all relaxed AND be at home.
Are you willing to dedicate one hour each week for a period of time? Are you willing to dedicate a long period of time to the treatment process?
Consistency
I think the industry sells the feel good, take care of yourself part of acupuncture. Some of this is valid. You can relax. You are embracing self care.
Here’s the other side - weekly acupuncture can feel like another burden. Why? The focus of treatment is having a baby. It’s self care to make another human being. It’s not completely a self embracing activity. Each treatment is about conception. Acupuncture is part of that goal, thus acupuncture can become another stressor.
Yes, acupuncture feels good. It helps to offset the stress. Notice I say offset, because the stress doesn't magically fall away with acupuncture. I’m going to call it as I see it…IVF is extremely stressful (for most women at least) and any statement of acupuncture making everything “free flowing” is false.
When you are faced with weekly acupuncture, consistency can feel hard. Compounding the stress you’re dealing with, consistency can become a struggle.
Yes, acupuncture and Chinese herbs can shift your hormones, potentially make an impact on egg quality. Plus, part of my job is to moderate burnout. Through open dialog we can figure out how to help you improve your fertility and not burnout.
Why am I bringing this up?
Because I dedicate a lot of energy to my clients. My intent is to do everything possible to help them conceive. To treat this way, you will need consistent treatments. Consistency allows me to adjust the treatment plan and modulate the acupuncture to effectively support you and maintain the focus on your end result - improved fertility.
Are you ready and willing to embrace consistent treatment?
I want you to be prepared to succeed.
If any of this resonates with you, great. You are ready to step into Chinese medicine.
