In-vitro fertilization is a very positive medical advancement for couples who cannot naturally conceive on their own. If you have found out that you’re not able to have a child and you’d like to explore other options, you’ve probably looked into the procedure. The process involves several different steps, and is essentially the fertilization of a woman’s egg outside of her body. After the fertilization, the egg is replaced and the baby should grow inside her womb. The procedure is very expensive and, unfortunately, not 100% successful every time. Some other procedures have been developed specifically to increase the likelihood of pregnancy success after in-vitro fertilization, but none have been proven very triumphant. Acupuncture, which is a method of medicine that treats patients by lightly inserting needles into the skin, has been used in China for centuries to regulate women’s reproductive systems. It helps women trying to conceive by releasing neurotransmitters that encourage fertility cycles, stimulating uterine blood flow, and stimulating the production of opioids that inhibit the body’s stress response. Because acupuncture has been so successful in China for centuries, a study was conducted to find out whether or not it would improve success rates for women undergoing in-vitro fertilization. Based on the results of the study, the acupuncture performed on these women did in fact improve the likelihood of pregnancy and live births. This means that, after in-vitro fertilization, women who underwent acupuncture were more likely to actually get pregnant, and furthermore, were more likely to deliver a healthy baby successfully. For many women, in-vitro fertilization is the only way to have a baby, and it is well worth the risks, complications and disadvantages. However, the disadvantages are numerous. In-vitro fertilization is expensive, and the procedure alone can cost up to $15,000. Additionally, it is a lengthy process, and will not simply require an overnight hospital stay. Both of these conditions also make it stressful, which is not good for a woman’s bodily cycle. Since it is such a complex procedure, any way to guarantee its success is of the utmost importance. If the first is unsuccessful, a woman will be faced with the difficult decision as to whether or not to try again. Many medical procedures designed to help guarantee success are also expensive and risky. Therefore, acupuncture as a way to improve the success of in-vitro fertilization is a great solution. It is inexpensive, natural and now proven to be effective. Source: Eric Manheimer et al: Effects Of Acupuncture On Rates Of Pregnancy And Live Birth Among Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization. British Medical Journal March 2008