The IVF Journey
Acupuncture Regulates Our Physiology
Acupuncture, a key modality of TCM, is essential in altering our physiology to optimize pregnancy. Acupuncture improves blood flow to the reproductive organs, balances hormone levels, reduces stress, and may improve ovulation and the uterine environment. A recent meta-analysis in the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics demonstrated that acupuncture significantly improved the rates of pregnancy and live births. By targeting specific meridians believed to influence the stress response and hormone regulation, acupuncture has also been shown to lower cortisol levels and induce a state of relaxation.
IVF - A Mind Body Journey
The journey of in vitro fertilization (IVF) is often viewed through the lens of medical procedures and outcomes, yet the emotional side of IVF may involve feelings of anxiety, guilt, isolation and despair. The pressure of the expectation for women to bear children, the quiet whispers of a ticking biological clock, eggs disappearing, and the internalized ideal of motherhood can weigh more heavily than the physical toll of the treatments themselves.
Evidence for Chronic Stress
The stress associated with IVF is palpable; a study in the journal Fertility and Sterilitydescribed the emotional burden as comparable to the stress associated with serious illnesses like cancer. The cyclical nature of IVF medications and procedures is an all-consuming rollercoaster of hope and despair, which, when prolonged, can escalate into chronic stress. From egg retrieval to embryo transfer, the emotional and physical burden of hormonal and medication side-effects, and of course the harrowing wait for pregnancy results. A paper in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine highlighted that the anxiety and depression levels in women undergoing IVF are significantly higher than in the general population.
Acupuncture Optimizes Harmony for Pregnancy
Amidst the sea of emotions, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers principles of holistic healing that are recognized for both physical and mental benefits. The TCM perspective views the mind and body as intertwined, with emotional well-being being essential to physical health. This paradigm shift from a purely biomedical approach can be empowering for women, acknowledging their emotional strain as a real part of the fertility journey. By prioritizing balance and internal harmony, TCM aims to create a more nurturing, physiologically optimizing, and less stressful path to conception.