Fertility Acupuncture in East Dulwich
If you're trying to conceive, you'll know that it isn't always straightforward. For some people it happens quickly, while for others it can take much longer than expected. You may be trying to conceive naturally, preparing for or undergoing IVF, experiencing unexplained infertility, recovering from pregnancy loss or navigating fertility challenges.
It's natural to have questions, to feel overwhelmed at times and to wonder whether there's anything more you could be doing. Every person's experience is different, which is why I take the time to get to know you and understand what's brought you here.
Whether you're just starting to think about having a baby or have been trying for some time, I'll answer any questions you may have about acupuncture and explain how appointments can fit alongside your fertility plans or treatment.
Acupuncture While Trying to Conceive
When you're trying to conceive, it's easy for life to become focused on one thing – getting pregnant. It can be an emotionally exhausting time and quietly take over your life, affecting your sleep, stress levels, energy and emotional wellbeing. Many women tell me they find themselves constantly thinking about ovulation, appointments, scans, test results and what other challenges lie ahead.
They also tell me that their acupuncture appointments become more than just a treatment – an opportunity to switch off from the noise and demands of the outside world. From the moment you walk into the clinic room, my aim is to create a calm, welcoming space where you can feel listened to, relax and focus on yourself.
How Often Should You Come?
If you're trying to conceive naturally, I usually recommend weekly acupuncture to begin with, ideally for at least three menstrual cycles where possible. Regular appointments also allow me to adapt your treatment throughout your menstrual cycle.
If you're planning IVF, it's also worth getting in touch around three months before your cycle begins. This gives us time to discuss your health and fertility history and plan your appointments around your treatment.
However, please don't feel it's too late if you've already started trying to conceive or are further along in your IVF treatment – acupuncture can be incorporated at any stage of the process.
Acupuncture During IVF
If you're planning IVF, acupuncture can be used alongside your treatment, with appointments timed to fit around your fertility clinic’s protocol. Depending on where you are in your cycle, appointments may be planned during ovarian stimulation, around egg collection, before and after embryo transfer and during the two-week wait.
The medication used during IVF can sometimes cause side effects such as bloating, headaches, mood changes and fatigue. IVF can also be demanding both physically and emotionally, particularly when you’re managing medication, scans and appointments.
The two-week wait between embryo transfer and taking a pregnancy test can be one of the most emotionally challenging parts of fertility treatment. Some women choose to continue with acupuncture during this period, taking some time for themselves during what can feel like a very long two weeks.
If your pregnancy test is positive, acupuncture can continue during your first trimester and beyond, with each session adapted appropriately for pregnancy.
Why Choose Vanessa Rubio Acupuncture?
Choosing an acupuncturist when you’re trying to conceive can feel like a big decision. It's important that you feel comfortable, listened to and confident in the care you're receiving.
I have a special interest in fertility acupuncture and have undertaken extensive training in Women's Health & Fertility. I'm a fully qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncturist and a member of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) and the Acupuncture Fertility Network (AFN). My postgraduate fertility acupuncture training has included study with leading UK practitioners Hannah Pearn and Rachel Sherriff. I regularly undertake further training to keep my knowledge and clinical practice up to date.
As a practitioner, I don't like appointments to feel rushed. Your first fertility appointment is 90 minutes, giving us plenty of time to talk through your menstrual cycle, fertility history, any investigations or test results and what has brought you to acupuncture. Follow-up appointments are an hour, allowing us to review what's changed and how you've been feeling before your acupuncture treatment. I always stay in the room with you throughout the session, including while you rest with the needles in.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The months before trying to conceive can be a useful time to think about your general health and lifestyle. This may include eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, taking recommended supplements, avoiding alcohol and smoking and reviewing any medication you're taking with your GP or another healthcare professional.
The NHS recommends taking 400 micrograms of folic acid every day when trying to conceive, ideally starting three months beforehand and continuing for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Some people are advised to take a higher dose, so it's important to check what's appropriate for you.
Preconception health applies to both partners. If you have concerns about your fertility or have been trying to conceive for some time, it may also be appropriate to speak to your GP or a fertility specialist about further investigations.
You can read more about factors that can affect fertility in the NICE fertility guidelines.
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Your first appointment lasts around 90 minutes, giving us plenty of time to talk in detail about your health and fertility. We'll discuss your menstrual cycle, medical history, any fertility investigations or diagnoses, previous pregnancies, lifestyle, sleep, digestion, stress levels and emotional wellbeing. If you've had blood tests or fertility investigations, we'll go through those too. Where appropriate, I may offer dietary and lifestyle advice, discuss further investigations or recommend specialist referrals.
As part of your consultation, I'll carry out a Traditional Chinese Medicine assessment, including looking at your tongue and feeling your pulse. Your acupuncture treatment takes place during the same appointment, with the needles usually left in place for around 25–30 minutes while you relax.
Follow-up appointments usually last around 50–60 minutes. We'll review how you've been since your last treatment and I'll adapt the session according to your menstrual cycle, fertility plan and how you're feeling that day.
You can find details of appointment costs on my Prices page.
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Yes. Acupuncture can be used alongside IVF with appointments planned around your fertility clinic's protocol.
Some people choose to have acupuncture during ovarian stimulation, around egg collection, before and after embryo transfer or during the two-week wait. If your pregnancy test is positive, acupuncture can also continue during pregnancy.
It doesn’t matter if your cycle has already started. Acupuncture can be incorporated at any stage, alongside the care you're already receiving.
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Research into acupuncture alongside IVF has produced mixed results and the quality of the available evidence varies. Some systematic reviews and studies have reported positive findings for clinical pregnancy and live birth rates, while others have found no significant effect.
The British Acupuncture Council's (BAcC) research summary looks at acupuncture at different stages of fertility treatment rather than focusing only on embryo transfer. It discusses research into treatment before IVF, during ovarian stimulation, around embryo transfer and during the two-week wait, as well as the timing and frequency of acupuncture.
Areas investigated include ovarian blood flow, follicular development and egg maturation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates, male factor fertility and emotional wellbeing during IVF. The BAcC also discusses research involving more frequent acupuncture during ovarian stimulation, although the exact number and frequency of treatments in relation to IVF outcomes has not been robustly established.
You can read the British Acupuncture Council's full research summary on acupuncture, infertility and IVF here.
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Yes, absolutely. It takes two people to make a baby, yet so much of the focus is often placed on women.
Preconception health is important for both partners. If you're trying to conceive with a male partner, it's worth thinking about his general health and lifestyle too, including smoking, alcohol, diet and exercise, as well as his general wellbeing and stress levels.
I also encourage clients who are trying to conceive with a male partner to make sure their partner has had appropriate fertility investigations where indicated, such as a semen analysis, DNA fragmentation testing or further assessment by a male fertility specialist. This can help to provide a clearer picture when you are trying to conceive as a couple.
Although I mainly see women for fertility acupuncture, I also welcome male partners for treatment. If you're trying to conceive as a couple, I'm happy to discuss appointments for either or both of you.
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Yes. If your pregnancy test is positive, acupuncture can continue throughout your pregnancy, with each treatment adapted appropriately as your pregnancy progresses.
Many women choose to continue acupuncture during early pregnancy, as this can be an overwhelming and anxious time. Appointments provide time to slow down, relax and focus on yourself during the first trimester and beyond.
Book a Fertility Appointment
If you'd like to book an appointment or have any questions before starting, I'd be happy to hear from you.
You can book your first appointment online or if you'd prefer to talk things through before booking, arrange a free 15-minute discovery call.