IVF Treatment Protocol
Fresh Cycle - Fresh eggs are retrieved, fertilized and then transferred
We get patients to come in 3 times in the cycle…
- Pre-Pick Up Phase - As per normal around Day 1 to Day 7 to work on egg quality and quantity and thickening the uterine lining.
- Pre-Transfer Phase - 1 to 2 days prior to their transfer to increase blood flow into the uterine lining to help the embryo implant.
- Post-Transfer Phase - on the day of transfer or 1 – 2 days after transfer to help with implantation. A special Chinese herbal formulation called “Implant” (keep the fetus formulation) will be given after transfer and should be continued up to 12 weeks should the transfer be successful. This is to help with preventing miscarriage and assists implantation.
- Regular Acupuncture - should be maintained. Acupuncture and specially selected herbs will be given at each treatment time and instructions given on how to take them.
(For those living at distance, they will be just taking herbs at the phases shown above)
Frozen Cycle - Frozen eggs are thawed and viable ones transferred
We get patients to come in 3 times in the cycle again, but we our aim is slightly different.
- Pre-Pick Up Phase - as per normal around Day 1 to Day 7 to work on thickening the uterine lining and increasing circulation to assist when the embryo is transferred.
- Pre-Transfer Phase - 1 to 2 days prior to their transfer to increase blood flow into the uterine lining to help the embryo implant.
- Post-Transfer Phase - on the day of transfer or 1 – 2 days after transfer to help with implantation. A special Chinese herbal formulation called “Implant” (keep the fetus formulation) will be given after transfer and should be continued up to 12 weeks should the transfer be successful. This is to help with preventing miscarriage and assists implantation.
- Regular Acupuncture - should be maintained and specially selected herbs will be given at each treatment and instructions given on how to take them.
(For those living at distance, they will be just taking herbs at the phases shown above)
Pregnancy
Once a successful pregnancy is confirmed it is very important to maintain regular treatment of acupuncture, herbs and supplements, to prevent miscarriage and to help with implantation. Acupuncture, herbs and vitamins are a very important part of a general health and a trouble free pregnancy. After the first 12 weeks we maintain treatments monthly until 36 weeks, when they come fortnightly and then weekly until 40 weeks.
The Statistics
Chinese Medicine is about treating the cause, not just the symptoms and relies on a series of treatments to balance the body and maintain health. The following statistics are a review of seven previous studies on acupuncture and fertility –
- Acupuncture increases the chances of conceiving via IVF by 65%
- Acupuncture increases the chances of maintaining a pregnancy by 87%
- Acupuncture increases the rate of maintaining a pregnancy to full gestation by 91%
- Acupuncture when combined with Chinese herbs increases the chances of conception up to 80%