The research found that women suffering with fertility problems who underwent the ancient Chinese treatment increased their chance of having a baby from one in five to one in three. Acupuncture involves inserting extremely fine needles into specific points on the body, along qi energy channels, to stimulate the body’s own healing system.

and

Researchers led by Ying Cheong, from the reproductive medicine unit at the University of Southampton and the city’s Princess Anne hospital, concluded that ‘acupuncture around the time of embryo transfer achieves a higher live birth rate of 35 per cent compared with 22 per cent without active acupuncture’. Embryo transfer is when an embryo that has been fertilised in the laboratory is implanted into a woman’s womb. The research found that the chance of the embryo implanting successfully, resulting in pregnancy, increased significantly if a woman underwent acupuncture around the same time as the transfer.

There are some caviets:

However, there is no benefit if the treatment takes place in the days after the embryo transfer, according to Cheong and his colleagues, who include Professor Bill Ledger, a leading fertility expert and a member of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. They looked at 13 studies carried out worldwide, involving more than 2,000 patients who underwent acupuncture during a course of IVF.

So maybe it can actually help in tandem with IVF. I’m still a skeptic though.

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Malky and Aaron interview Kelly Damron the author of the new book Tiny Toes. In addition to the book she is also a podcaster and blogger.

Plus the news, a poll update and other podcasting goodness.

Feel free to leave us a voicemail at 815-301-9004!

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Links from this episode:

• Paint Solvents and infertility
• Resolve
• March of Dimes
• Music (as always) by John Benedict
• Bandwidth and hosting by Ataraxia Consulting

One interesting statistic from the article is that 25% of all couples going through infertility treatments are suffering from secondary infertility. I would have guessed the number was a lot lower.

This week Malky and Aaron give you an update on the poll, a new poll, listener feedback/updates plus the news.

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Sites we talked about:

• SaraS-P
• How many eggs are left?
• IVF to a teenager
• New Ectopic pregnancy test
• IVF Does Not Cause Menopause
• Twin Peas
• Music of course, is by John Benedict

Malky and I discuss some of the medications that can be taken for male factor infertility and what some of their drawbacks may be.

Plus the infertility news, opinion that you’ve come to know and love.

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Links we discussed:

• IVF Treatment a “disgrace”, nurses say
• SoftIVF Continues to make headway
• Eat breakfast and have a boy?
• Male factor infertilty blog
• Karen