Acupuncture for Fertility IVF Induction and Pregnancy

Pregnancy Acupuncture Gold Coast Acupuncture – Fertility, IVF, Induction of Labour and Pregnancy Concerns

Pregnancy Acupuncture Gold Coast
We offer Acupuncture support for all stages of Pregnancy

Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine and Chinese herbs can be used to help support womens health during pregnancy. Our fully qualified Acupuncturists are familiar with all aspects of womens health.

Providing Support for:

  • Infertility and Fertility problems.
  • Family Planning.
  • Support before, during and after In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). This also includes other fertility methods such as IUI.
  • Pregnancy problems such as morning sickness and pain.
  • Induction of labour.
  • General well being during pregnancy.
  • Post birth support.

Pregnancy Acupuncture Gold Coast

All Womens Health Acupuncture treatments are the same price as normal Acupuncture. That is $95 for an initial consultation/treatment and $85 for a followup consultation/treatment. Health fund rebates apply. Please make sure you request a Pregnancy/IVF treatment when booking online or through our clinic number. Pregnancy concerns include Acupuncture for morning sickness.

Acupuncture for Induction of Labour

If you are are past your due date or wish to commence daily Acupuncture induction treatment (from at least 4 days prior to your scheduled induction) please choose the Acupuncture (Induction of Labour) option.

Many studies have been conducted to test the efficacy of Acupuncture. An early study claimed that ‘the average time from Acupuncture induction until delivery was 13.1 hours and the success rate of Acupuncture to induce overdue labour to be between 68-83%’ (Tsuei 1974) [1].

Further research shows that Acupuncture successfully initiates the onset of labour and can prepare the uterus and cervix for labour, reduce pain of contractions, shorten the average time of labour, reduce recovery time and significantly decrease the need for medical intervention (Smith 2004, Betts 2006) [2].

The above research suggests that Acupuncture may provide beneficial outcomes however other papers did not have the same findings so the evidence is regarded as mixed.

Acupuncture for Infertility / IVF

Acupuncture is frequently recommended as an additional treatment for patients going through their IVF cycle to promote follicular development and the thickening of the endometrial lining. It aims to decrease stress levels, enhance blood flow to the uterus, improve the chances of successful implantation, and ultimately increase the rates of clinical pregnancy and live births.

According to a systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by Professor Caroline Smith et al. in 2019, it is recommended to undergo acupuncture before and after IVF transfer. The study revealed that acupuncture performed around the time of embryo transfer led to a 50% increase in the clinical pregnancy rate when patients received over three treatment sessions.

Interestingly, the analysis also demonstrated that acupuncture had a greater positive impact on patients who had previously been poor responders to IVF compared to those undergoing their first IVF cycle. Moreover, it was found that an increased number of acupuncture treatments resulted in higher clinical pregnancy rates. Specifically, having 12 acupuncture sessions showed improved outcomes for live birth rates when compared to IVF embryo transfer alone or embryo transfer with acupuncture on the day of the procedure.

Acupuncture has been shown to be beneficial in IVF/ICSI for improving the clinical pregnancy, implantation, and live birth outcomes. These effects were shown in a 2018 Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis entitled “Effects of acupuncture during in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis”.[3]

Chinese Herbs and Chinese Herbal Medicine for Fertility

A study by researchers at Adelaide University (Australia) titled “Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine in the management of female infertility: A systematic review” concluded that using TCM methods improved pregnancy rates as much as 2-fold in just a 4-month period in comparison with Western Medical fertility enhancement drug therapies [4].

The research, funded by the Australian government, involved reviewing 30 previously conducted studies that included more than 1,800 women with fertility challenges. The likelihood of achieving pregnancy with Chinese herbal medicine was double according to the study authors, “Our meta-analyses suggest Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine to be more effective in the treatment of female infertility achieving on average a 60% pregnancy rate over 4 months compared with 30% achieved with standard western drug treatment, or IVF over 12 months” [4].

The Australian study also concluded that the use of specific herbal treatments tailored to treat the individual’s reproductive systems and particular fertility challenges played a crucial role in the success of the treatment. Unlike Western fertility treatments such as IVF (in vitro fertilization), which attempt to increase the chance of pregnancy through implantation, herbal treatments and TCM methods such as acupuncture, aim to balance and heal the body so that it may conceive naturally, without the use of costly and aggressive drugs or implantation [4].

The above research suggests that Chinese Herbs may provide beneficial outcomes however other papers did not have the same findings so the evidence is regarded as mixed.

Another option for fertility issues would be Chinese Herbal Medicine. An individual Chinese Herbal Consultation costs $85 for 45 minutes. This allows the practitioner to create a tailored herbal formula for you. Your practitioner may recommend Acupuncture in addition to your herbal treatment.

You may be eligible for a further discount on our Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal medicine pricing with your private health cover.

Appointment Preparation

Please make sure you request a Pregnancy/IVF treatment when booking online or through our clinic number. Bookings are strictly by appointment only. We do not offer walk in appointments under any circumstances.

Please make sure you book in advance and to arrive 10 minutes early for your initial consultation/treatment. Bring any relevant paperwork with regards to any other appointments/results.

Our Practitioners

Peter Gospos

Senior Practitioner, Clinic Founder

Peter Gospos has been practicing Acupuncture for 20 years. He is passionate about achieving optimal health for all of his clients.

Peter offers an innovative approach to treatment with Neoclassical Acupuncture. Neoclassical Acupuncture is a palpatory style of Acupuncture that provides immediate feedback with each needle placed. The goal is to create a “domino effect” of clearing the root cause and sub-sequentially the symptoms from your body.

Peter prefers to use Ultra-Smooth Japanese style needles to ensure complete patient comfort. He also prefers to use a minimal amount of needles during your treatment.

Peter has a special interest in both acute and chronic musculo-skeletal pain. This includes low back pain, shoulder pain and knee pain. He also provides support for a wide range of general conditions such as headaches, migraines and digestive problems. He also supports clients to achieve mental well-being through the reduction of stress and anxiety.

Peter also offers support for women’s health (menstrual and menopausal issues, pregnancy health, induction of labour, fertility and IVF).

Peter has been registered with the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA) since 2004. He is also government registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Kate Chen

Kate Chen is a Bachelor qualified Chinese Medicine Practitioner and a member of The Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA). Kate is also government registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This requires continuing professional education to ensure the most up to date scientific research is implemented in clinical practice.

Kate’s passion for acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine started very early on. Growing up in China, it has been part of her life as far has she can remember. Seeing first hand the benefits on her family and friends she decided to dive into this ancient art. This is where she decided to become a Chinese Medicine practitioner.

Kate looks at the body like a music partition, where each notes needs to be in balance to create the perfect melody. Her thorough analysis of the body, her caring and intuitive approach will help guide and support you along your health journey. Kate has a special interest and a deep understanding of fertility. This includes the challenges that it represents both on a physical and emotional levels.

Kate worked in busy hospitals in China where gained experience with many conditions. Kate has a special interest in all kinds of pain (both acute & chronic), emotional issues and women’s health (menstrual and menopausal issues, fertility).

Private Health Fund Rebates

We are able to provide you with a health fund rebate using our HICAPS / Healthpoint system. Some of the health funds that are claimable through our HICAPS (Healthpoint) machine for Acupuncture are as follows.

Pregnancy Acupuncture Gold Coast Location

The Gold Coast Acupuncture Clinic is located in the Coomera Shopping Village at 13/31 Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera opposite the Boathouse Tavern. This is a great Location for the surrounding suburbs of Coomera, Upper Coomera, Oxenford, Helensvale, Pimpama, Ormeau, Willowvale, Tamborine Mountain and Hope Island.

Book your appointment

Call our Clinic
You may call us at our Coomera clinic directly.

Phone: (07) 5573 6601

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You may book an appointment online by clicking here.

References
[1] Tsuei JT, L. Y. (1974), Induction of labour by acupuncture and electrical stimulation. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 43(3), 337-342.
[2] Smith CA, C. C. (2004), Acupuncture for induction of labour, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (1).
[3] Xian Zhang, Myeong Soo Lee, Caroline A.Smith, Nicola Robinson, Yong Zhou, Yan Wu, Ying-Ying Mao, Fan Qua. Effects of acupuncture during in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis (2018)
[4] Ried K, Stuart K., Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine in the management of female infertility: a systematic review, 2011, Discipline of General Practice, School of Population Health & Clinical Practice, The University of Adelaide, South Australia.