Can acupuncture really help get you pregnant?
The answer to this billion dollar question is a resounding YES! There are plenty of studies on this topic and even more beautiful stories from families who successfully become pregnant and had healthy and happy pregnancies, births and children thanks to the support they received from their friendly neighbourhood fertility acupuncturist! Acupuncture is not a one-size-fits-all treatment and that’s really good news because the causes of infertility vary from person to person. Acupuncture serves by getting to the root cause of underlying health problems that might be impeding fertility such as an under- or over-functioning thyroid.
OK! You’ve convinced me to get acupuncture. Now what?
The first step is to determine your baseline. We will aim to answer very important questions at your initial consultation such as: Is your cycle regular and healthy? Do you ovulate? Do you know when your ovulation window typically is? What's up with your lifestyle? How is stress right now?
To help answer these questions, I like to start working with patients who are trying to conceive for 3 months (ideally 6 months, but who can wait?!) before conception. Weekly visits will help harmonise the bodily systems during which we can address any health needs or deficiencies, work on clearing out negative habits and implementing positive ones as well as nourishing the body adequately with baby building nutrient dense foods. The golden key of getting the most out of your acupuncture treatments is to commit to regular treatments and by the time you're ready to “officially” start trying you’ll be in a really good place physically and emotionally to have the most amazing pregnancy!
Not surprisingly, getting acupuncture to achieve a health goal such as conceiving and carrying a baby to term is a process and not a quick fix. You wouldn’t take a prescription medication once and expect miraculous results right away, right? If only it were that easy-breezy!
As your fertility acupuncturist I will create a unique treatment plan just for you but typically treatments will flow something like:
- A session during your follicular phase, about days 5-8 of your cycle
- A session within one day of ovulation (this is where tracking your cycle really helps!)
- A session after implantation time which usually falls 6-10 days after ovulation.
I’m excited to start! What can I do right now?
If you aren’t tracking your cycle you may as well start now because I’m going to encourage you to start practising Fertility Awareness. This means tracking your cycle by doing things like checking and charting your Basal Body Temperature (BBT) first thing in the morning as well as other fertility signs. Fertility apps are helpful but the best way to know what’s going on in your body is to observe and connect with it mindfully and intimately. My favourite resources for tracking cycles are available for download at Taking Charge of Your Fertility.
Now you’ll be about ready to make your first appointment! Take an honest look at your schedule and decide where in your week you could carve out 60 unhurried minutes to focus on your fertility. Different days and times work best for different people so decide what will be best to support your journey, then give me a buzz and get excited to have me join you on your path to adding to your family!
With love,
Karolina
Karolina Kluska
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