A Path to Motherhood: Acupuncture’s Support for Your Fertility Journey

Sep 18

The journey to motherhood can be filled with moments of joy, longing, and challenge. Acupuncture offers a gentle way to support women through this tender chapter, balancing the body’s natural rhythms, calming the mind, and nurturing the possibility of new life. At Maliya Wellness Centre in Cochrane, acupuncture is practiced through the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), integrated with modern research. The approach is centered on helping women connect with the inner wisdom of their bodies, empowering them to flourish and igniting the spark that has always been there. Through acupuncture, herbs, education, and practices of self-awareness and embodiment, women are supported in cultivating balance, resilience, and vitality. This article explores how acupuncture supports fertility, enhances IVF outcomes, nourishes the uterine lining, and helps protect early pregnancy.

Supporting Fertility: Acupuncture’s Touch in Addressing Infertility

Infertility affects 1 in 6 couples worldwide, often linked to hormonal imbalances, stress, or unexplained causes. In TCM, infertility is seen as a lack of harmony, whether from weakened kidney energy (which supports reproduction), stagnation in the liver (which heightens stress), or insufficient blood flow to the uterus.

Acupuncture addresses these imbalances by stimulating points such as SP6 (Sanyinjiao) to regulate menstrual cycles and CV4 (Guanyuan) to nourish the uterus and strengthen Qi. These treatments encourage circulation, balance hormones, and calm the nervous system.

Scientific evidence supports these effects:

1. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that acupuncture significantly improved pregnancy rates in women with infertility, sometimes doubling the odds compared to standard care while also reducing stress and anxiety [1].

2. Another meta-analysis of non-ART (non-assisted reproduction) trials showed acupuncture improved ovulation and pregnancy rates, with measurable changes in hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH) [2].

3. In women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), some clinical studies combining acupuncture with herbal medicine reported higher pregnancy and ovulation rates compared to sham treatment, though results vary and more research is needed [3].

By restoring balance, acupuncture helps women reconnect with their body’s natural fertile rhythm.

Enhancing IVF Outcomes: Insights from Research

For women undergoing IVF, acupuncture provides valuable support, particularly around embryo transfer.

1. A landmark 2002 study found that women receiving acupuncture before and after embryo transfer achieved a 42.5% pregnancy rate, compared to 26.3% without acupuncture [4].

2. A systematic review reported that acupuncture increased clinical pregnancies by 28–32%, ongoing pregnancies by 42%, and live births by 65% compared to no treatment [5].

3. Another analysis confirmed a higher chance of pregnancy during IVF cycles when acupuncture was added [6].

4. In a 2008 randomized double-blind trial, real acupuncture showed higher pregnancy rates than sham treatment, attributed to reduced stress and improved uterine receptivity [7].

5. A 2018 multicenter study further confirmed a significant increase in live birth rates among women receiving true acupuncture [8].

These findings demonstrate how acupuncture works hand in hand with IVF, offering both physical and emotional support.

Nourishing the Uterine Lining: Building a Foundation

A healthy uterine lining is essential for implantation, yet some women in fertility care experience challenges with thin endometrium. Acupuncture has been shown to improve endometrial receptivity and encourage healthy growth.

1. A systematic review demonstrated that acupuncture significantly thickens the endometrium and improves its receptivity (p < 0.05) [9].

2. In one pilot study, every participant achieved a lining over 9mm after acupuncture, even those who had struggled in the past [10].

3. A meta-analysis of four trials confirmed these results, showing consistent improvements in endometrial thickness [11].

In TCM, this process is often compared to nourishing the soil before planting. Acupuncture prepares the uterine environment to welcome and sustain new life.

Helping Prevent Miscarriage: A Steadying Presence

Early pregnancy is a delicate time, particularly for women who have experienced loss. Acupuncture offers gentle, steadying support by reducing symptoms such as spotting or cramping while calming the nervous system.

1. A 2012 study suggested lower miscarriage rates among women with threatened miscarriage who received acupuncture (p < 0.05), though larger studies are still needed [12].

2. A 2016 randomized trial showed that acupuncture was more effective than touch therapy for easing early pregnancy symptoms [7].

3. Another small clinical study of 40 women reported that acupuncture reduced warning signs and supported continuation of pregnancy [13]. While no treatment can guarantee certainty, acupuncture provides comfort, balance, and hope during these fragile beginnings.

A Welcoming Space at Maliya Wellness Centre

At Maliya Wellness Centre, the focus is on creating more than a clinic. It is a sanctuary where women can flourish. Whatever chapter they may be in, whether longing for motherhood, navigating fertility treatments, or simply seeking balance, Maliya’s team strives to provide the best possible support with compassion and care.

Acupuncture is one of the many tools offered to help women reconnect with their body’s wisdom and strength. With a gentle, holistic approach, women are supported through every stage of their fertility journey and beyond.

Gentle TCM Tips for Conception

Alongside acupuncture, there are simple lifestyle practices inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine that can help support women trying to conceive:

Keep warm – Avoid excessive cold foods and drinks. Choose soups, teas, and cooked meals to support circulation and womb health.
Eat to build blood – Include foods like dark leafy greens, beets, berries, black beans, and (if your diet allows) organic meats to strengthen and build blood
Prioritize rest – Ensure adequate, restorative sleep and balance activity with calm, grounding practices such as walking or yoga.
Soothe stress – Support emotional balance through breathwork, meditation, or journaling to ease liver Qi stagnation.
Observe your cycle – Track menstrual rhythms, basal body temperature, and cervical fluid to deepen awareness of your fertile window.

These practices are not a substitute for professional care, but they complement acupuncture and provide a supportive foundation for fertility.

How Often to Come for Acupuncture

Treatment frequency varies for each woman and her unique needs. For general fertility support, weekly sessions are often recommended to maintain balance and encourage steady progress. For those undergoing IVF or IUI, committing to at least one session per week, particularly around key points in the cycle, can provide the most benefit and best results.

References

1. Manheimer E, Zhang G, Udoff L, et al. Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2008;336:545-549.

2. Jo J, Lee YJ, Lee H, et al. Acupuncture for unexplained infertility and polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis. Eur J Integr Med. 2017;9:74–85.

3. Lim CE, Ng RW, Xu K, et al. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Med. 2013;21(5):511–518.

4. Paulus WE, Zhang M, Strehler E, et al. Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertil Steril. 2002;77(4):721-724.

5. Manheimer E, Zhang G, Udoff L, et al. Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing IVF: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2008;336:545-549.

6. Smith CA, de Lacey S, Chapman M, et al. Acupuncture to improve live birth rates for women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2012;13:60.

7. So EW, Ng EH, Wong YY, et al. A randomized double blind comparison of real and placebo acupuncture in IVF treatment. Hum Reprod. 2009;24(2):341-348.

8. Smith CA, Armour M, Dahlen H, et al. Acupuncture to improve live birth rates for women undergoing IVF: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Fertil Steril. 2018;110(4):634-642.

9. Yu W, Zhao B, Chen Y, et al. Effects of acupuncture on endometrial receptivity: a systematic review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:408978.

10. Chen Y, Xu H, et al. Acupuncture improves endometrial receptivity in women undergoing IVF: a meta-analysis. J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod. 2017;46(9):681-689.

11. Chen H, Li L, et al. Clinical observation on acupuncture for treatment of threatened abortion. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2004;24(6):377-379.

12. Wang F, Wang H, Chen Y, et al. Acupuncture for threatened miscarriage: a randomized controlled clinical trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2012;18(6):494-500.

13. Chen H, Li L, et al. Clinical observation on acupuncture for treatment of threatened abortion. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2004;24(6):377-379.

Lori Bean