IVF Support

Support through your IVF journey

Maybe you’ve been thinking about IVF for months.

Maybe you’re just starting to explore your options.

Maybe you’re already in a cycle, waiting for the next appointment, the next scan, the next result.

IVF can ask a lot of you,

physically, emotionally and practically

At Diamond Creek Natural Medicine Centre, our role is to provide thoughtful complementary care alongside your fertility team. We take the time to understand where you are in your treatment, listen to the bigger picture and consider what support may be appropriate for you.

We don't replace your fertility specialist or IVF team. We work alongside them.

And because every IVF journey is different, your care is individualised to you, your health and the stage of treatment you're in.

Preparing for IVF

If you have time before beginning IVF, we recommend allowing at least 3 months of preconception care where possible.

Three months is a meaningful window in reproductive and preconception health. Sperm production takes approximately three months, so this allows time to work with both partners on health, nutrition, sleep, digestion, stress and general wellbeing before IVF begins.

At DCNMC, we may use acupuncture, Chinese medicine and/or naturopathy during this preparation period, depending on your individual needs.

For women, this can also be an opportunity to look carefully at menstrual health, cycle patterns, symptoms and overall wellbeing before treatment begins.

For singles and same-sex couples, we tailor preconception care according to your individual circumstances.

Acupuncture, Chinese medicine & Naturopathy alongside IVF

Once you begin IVF, your treatment can become more structured around your IVF timeline.

At DCNMC, we commonly provide weekly acupuncture throughout the IVF process, with more frequent treatment around embryo transfer.

Your care may include acupuncture, Chinese medicine and naturopathy, depending on your individual needs and treatment plan.

We consider your health history, menstrual cycle, IVF medications and treatment schedule, as well as how you are feeling physically and emotionally throughout the process.

Acupuncture around embryo transfer

The days surrounding embryo transfer can feel particularly full of anticipation.

For some people, it is the moment they have been working towards for months. For others, it can bring a mixture of hope, anticipation and anxiety.

This is one of the times when our treatment becomes more closely timed around your IVF schedule.

Around embryo transfer, we use a structured acupuncture schedule around the timing of your IVF treatment.

Our usual DCNMC protocol consists of:

Morning of embryo transfer
Acupuncture before your transfer.

Afternoon of embryo transfer
A second acupuncture treatment later that day.

Two days post-transfer
A further acupuncture treatment.

Five days post-transfer
Another treatment.

Then weekly
Weekly acupuncture thereafter, where appropriate.

This is our base protocol and may be adjusted according to your individual circumstances, treatment timeline and the advice of your fertility team.

What happens at your first consultation?

Your first appointment is about getting to know the whole picture.

We take time to talk through:

• your fertility history

• previous investigations and treatment

• your menstrual cycle and symptoms

• your general health and wellbeing

• your current or upcoming IVF treatment

• your treatment timeline

• sleep, digestion, energy and stress

• what you would like support with

Your practitioner will then explain their findings and discuss whether acupuncture, Chinese medicine or naturopathy may be appropriate for you.

If acupuncture is suitable, treatment can usually begin during your first consultation.

You will leave with a clearer understanding of your individual plan and how we can work alongside your existing fertility care.