The road to growing your family can be filled with both excitement and uncertainty — especially when it includes IVF. At Moon Rabbit we understand the many layers of this experience and offer care that’s both grounded in science and infused with intention.

More families are turning to acupuncture to complement IVF, and research is backing up what we see in the clinic: when timed thoughtfully, acupuncture can improve outcomes — particularly around the embryo transfer phase. As highlighted in a recent Acupuncture Today article, acupuncture supports both the body and mind during this important window, creating the conditions for better implantation and pregnancy rates.¹

The Biomedical Perspective: Aligning Physiology With Purpose

From a modern scientific standpoint, acupuncture administered before and during an IVF cycle can:

- Regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis

- Promote hormonal balance and enhance ovarian response

- Improve blood flow to the uterus and ovaries

- Increase endometrial receptivity

- Reduce stress by activating the parasympathetic nervous system

Studies have shown that acupuncture performed on the day of embryo transfer (ET) improves clinical pregnancy rates, especially in freeze-thaw embryo transfer cycles.² Additionally, a higher number of acupuncture sessions before ET has been linked to significantly higher live birth rates.³

The TCM Perspective: Rooted in Rhythm and Receptivity

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, fertility is guided by the Kidney–Tian Gui–Chong–Ren–Uterus axis — an integrative system that governs reproductive vitality, menstruation, and hormonal rhythm.

In this view, pre-cycle acupuncture (1–3 months before IVF begins) focuses on nourishing kidney essence, supporting follicular development, and harmonizing the body’s internal pathways. Acupuncture points are often selected along the lower abdomen and back, aligning both with meridian theory and modern anatomy — areas richly connected to reproductive nerves.

This is about more than needles — it’s about creating space in the body for something new to begin.

When to Begin: Timing & Frequency

Here’s how acupuncture fits into a typical IVF timeline:

- Pre-cycle (1–3 months out)Weekly or bi-weekly sessions help regulate hormones and prepare the uterine lining and ovaries.

- During stimulation and retrievalAcupuncture supports your response to medication and can reduce stress, bloating, and fatigue.

- Embryo transfer dayThis is a key window. Treatments before and after ET are linked to better implantation and pregnancy rates, especially in frozen cycles.³⁴

- Post-transfer (the “two-week wait”)Supporting the nervous system and blood flow during this time may enhance comfort and outcomes.

At Moon Rabbit, your plan is tailored around your IVF protocol, your body, and your lived experience — all within a setting that’s calming, thoughtful, and designed with care.

Fertility Care That Feels Like You

We know this process is both clinical and personal. That’s why our approach blends modern medicine with timeless practices, providing a path that is as empowering as it is effective.

Because you deserve more than just outcomes — you deserve to feel held, informed, and supported all the way through.

Let’s Walk Together

Whether you’re just starting your IVF journey or preparing for embryo transfer, acupuncture can offer meaningful support — body, mind, and spirit.

Book a consultation today and let’s create a plan that feels attuned, transformative, and completely yours.

References

1. Acupuncture for IVF Embryo Transfer: Timing Matters. Acupuncture Today, Dec 2025. Read article

2. Dong HX et al. Chin J Integ Med, 2024;30(1):10–17.

3. Li YT et al. BMC Compl Med Ther, 2024;24(1):407.

4. Wang X et al. J Integ Compl Med, 2024;30(11):1031–1046.

5. Westergaard LG et al. Fertility & Sterility, 2006;85(5):1341–1346.