Our Fertility and IVF Expertise
Charlotte Steed worked at the renowned
Zita West Clinic as an obstetrics and fertility acupuncturist, and member of their complementary therapy and medical team of fertility specialists.
This team included Zita West, a consultant midwife, Dr Raj Rai, one of the UK's leading gynaecologists and miscarriage specialists, and Dr Sheryl Homa, an embryologist and a scientist who led the male fertility programme.
The London Acupuncture Space run educational workshops in hospital assisted conception units, maternity units and birth centres. Our quality acupuncture workshops cater for fertility consultants, gynaecologists and obstetricians, midwives, embryologists, and nurses.
The London Acupuncture Space team are members of the British Acupuncture Council, Fertility Acupuncture Network and
The British Fertility Society, which represents professionals involved in the science and practice of human fertility, reproductive medicine and biology.
We have researched the role of acupuncture in the treatment of endometriosis associated with infertility and written for
'The National Endometriosis Society'. The London Acupuncture Space are a key contact for the media regarding fertility acupuncture and IVF.
Specialist Fertility Acupuncture Training:
- Zita West's Fertility Acupuncture
- Fertility Acupuncture at the Royal College of Physicians
- Obstetrics Acupuncture at the Royal College of Physicians
- IVF and Assisted Conception Acupuncture
- Chinese Patent Herbs for Gynaecology and Fertility with Giovanni Maciocia
Our Natural Fertility Acupuncture Programme
3-6 Month Preconception Care
Couples wishing to conceive naturally are recommended to have acupuncture for a 3-6 month period. If both partners adopt a preconceptual healthcare programme including fertility acupuncture or reflexology and nutrition for at least 3-4 months prior to conception, it is possible to have an impact on the health of both the egg and sperm and reproductive outcomes.
How Acupuncture can Enhance Fertility?
- Improves sperm parameters
- Improves pregnancy rates of natural conception and IVF treatment
- Regulates menstrual cycles
- Regulate hormones by reducing stress
- Reduces miscarriages
- Lessens uterine contractions after embryo transfer
- Improves blood flow to ovaries and uterus
- Improves ovarian function; encourages production of follicles; enhances their quality
- Improves thickness of uterine wall lining
- Aids relaxation
- Lessens side effects of fertility medication
- Enhances immune system
Our Acupuncture and IVF Programme
Acupuncture Before IVF
Fertility acupuncture, reflexology and nutrition for at least 3-4 months prior to IVF is recommended to prepare the body for treatment and to ensure that both partners are in their optimum state of health emotionally and physically.
During this time, it is possible to have an impact on the health of both the egg and improve the quality of the sperm.
Even a six week fertility acupuncture programme prior to commencing IVF or fertility treatment is beneficial.
Acupuncture During IVF
There are varying fertility protocols with different timeframes. We recommend weekly acupuncture for the women from the first day of medication through to embryo transfer.
Acupuncture Before Egg Collection
We recommend a single fertility acupuncture treatment for the male prior to egg collection to relieve anxiety. Where there is
male factor infertility, a fertility acupuncture programme is recommended for the male to optimise sperm quality, motility and count.
Acupuncture After Egg Collection
IVF patients are recommended to have an acupuncture treatment after egg collection, to reduce any local tissue trauma or bleeding, and help prepare a calm environment for the arrival of an embryo.
Acupuncture and Embryo Transfer (or Frozen Embryo Transfer)
We recommend a fertility acupuncture treatment before and after embryo transfer to improve pregnancy rates. Ideally, this is recommended on the same day as close to your embryo transfer appointment.
This protocol is the same for frozen embryo transfers (FET).
Research trials shows that fertility acupuncture before and after embryo transfer may improve pregnancy rates by up to 65%.
Acupuncture during this time is highly recommended by many fertility clinics worldwide and some clinics incorporate acupuncture as part of their IVF treatments.
The London Acupuncture Space will endevour to offer flexibility to cater for embryo transfers.
Acupuncture and ImplantationWe recommend two fertility acupuncture treatments during the two week wait period before you take a pregnancy test. The first treatment is to support implantation.
Implantation time can vary depending on when the embryos were transferred. It is usually about 2-3 days after a day 3 embryo transfer, and the day of or the day after a day 5 embryo transfer.
Acupuncture Before Your Pregnancy Test
The second treatment during the two week wait is to support you emotionally, to ease anxiety and promote relaxation.
If you have a positive pregnancy test...
We recommend weekly acupuncture treatment during the first trimester, including week 12/13.
This is particularly important for older women, where there is a history of miscarriage, and if the pregnancy was a result of IVF as there is a higher risk of miscarriage in IVF induced pregnancies.
The aim of acupuncture is to promote a holding function of the uterus and to promote relaxation.
The treatments are gentle and supportive and help promote a healthy pregnancy. We offer a acupuncture during pregnancy programme to support all stages of pregnancy.
Read more about
Pregnancy Acupuncture and
Pregnancy Reflexology
The London Acupuncture Space has undergone specialist acupuncture training in Fertility Acupuncture and Obstetrics Acupuncture with Zita West and at the Royal College of Physicians in London.