Author note: This article describes how a 12-week course of fertility acupuncture alongside IVF can be structured with Mandy Tam (R.Ac) at Artemis Wellness Clinic, as a general description of a typical plan rather than the story of an individual patient. Individual experiences and results vary.
If you are exploring fertility acupuncture or IVF support in Richmond BC, this article walks through what a 12-week course of acupuncture leading up to egg retrieval can look like — the cadence, the conversations, the realistic expectations, and the honest uncertainty that goes with any fertility journey. Book at Artemis Wellness Clinic, 5911 No. 3 Rd #130, Richmond BC, steps from Brighouse SkyTrain. Phone 604-242-2233 or artemis.janeapp.com.
The Starting Point
Patients usually first come to see Mandy some weeks before their IVF clinic’s planned egg retrieval cycle, having decided to add acupuncture as supportive care alongside the medical IVF protocol their reproductive endocrinologist has set up. What you can expect is structure, partnership, and a practitioner who explains what she is doing and why.
Mandy spends most of the first 60-minute consultation listening: your full medical history, your IVF protocol, sleep patterns, stress baseline, cycle history, diet, your partner’s role and support, and your own questions about whether acupuncture is the right addition for you. By the end of the consultation you have a 12-week treatment plan that fits within your IVF clinic’s timeline, a clear explanation of what each phase focuses on, and Mandy’s honest framing — acupuncture is a supportive intervention, not a guarantee, and the realistic goal is to support sleep, stress levels and overall wellbeing through the IVF cycle.
The 12-Week Protocol — How It Is Structured
A typical plan breaks into four phases timed to your IVF clinic’s stimulation calendar:
Weeks 1–4 (Pre-stimulation foundation): weekly acupuncture sessions aimed at relaxation, sleep and stress. Many patients start in this phase, before the IVF medications begin.
Weeks 5–8 (Stimulation phase): acupuncture twice per week, timed around medication administration. The focus shifts to relaxation and comfort during the side effects of stimulation (bloating, mood swings, sleep disruption from elevated hormones). Many patients drop sessions when they feel busiest with monitoring appointments, so it helps to plan the timing in advance.
Pre-retrieval week: a single carefully timed session 24 to 48 hours before the egg retrieval procedure, focused on relaxation.
Post-retrieval and toward transfer (Weeks 9–12): continued weekly acupuncture, with adjustments based on how you are recovering from retrieval and what the IVF clinic is planning for transfer (fresh vs frozen, what protocol).
Throughout, Mandy can coordinate with your IVF clinic at your request — sharing summary notes, asking specific questions about hormone levels and timing, and being clear about what acupuncture is and is not addressing. This is the part of fertility acupuncture that is often invisible to patients but matters most: the practitioner’s willingness to be a coordinated, professional collaborator with the medical team, not a parallel-track alternative.
What to Expect Along the Way
Some patients notice changes in sleep or stress in the first weeks of acupuncture; others notice little difference. Experiences vary from person to person, and none of this is a guarantee.
The stimulation phase is physically demanding for most people. Sessions in this phase focus on rest and comfort, and many patients value having regular time set aside in which someone pays full attention to how they are actually doing.
IVF outcomes depend on many factors, including age, underlying fertility and the specific medical protocol; acupuncture does not determine them, and the medical work is done by your IVF team. What acupuncture aims to offer is calm, consistent support alongside that medical care.
What This Means If You Are Considering Fertility Acupuncture
Three honest takeaways:
Acupuncture is a supportive intervention, not a fertility treatment. Mandy is clear about this with every fertility patient. Acupuncture aims to support sleep, stress management and relaxation alongside medical fertility treatment. It does not replace IVF, IUI, or any medical fertility intervention. It pairs with them.
Cadence and continuity matter more than any single session. Acupuncture alongside IVF is usually planned as a series of sessions timed to your clinic’s calendar, including the busy stimulation weeks, rather than as a one-off visit.
The right practitioner relationship matters as much as the technique. Mandy is a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac) licensed with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC). She speaks English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. She has worked with many patients through fertility journeys. Beyond credentials, she aims to make every patient feel heard and supported through the process. See our Mandy Tam practitioner spotlight for her full background.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does acupuncture improve IVF outcomes?
Published research on acupuncture as an IVF adjunct shows mixed results, with some studies suggesting improved live birth rates when acupuncture is used at specific timing points, while other studies, including larger reviews, found no clear difference. Honest framing: acupuncture is offered as supportive care alongside IVF, and we do not promise any effect on IVF outcomes. Discuss with both your IVF team and your acupuncturist.
When should I start acupuncture if I am planning IVF?
The most-cited recommendation is 8 to 12 weeks before your planned retrieval, so that several sessions can take place before stimulation begins. Mandy will advise based on your specific IVF clinic’s timeline at your first consultation.
Does Mandy coordinate with my IVF clinic?
With your written request, yes — Mandy can share summary treatment notes with your IVF team and coordinate around timing. Many patients prefer this; some prefer to keep the two streams informally connected. Either is fine.
How much does fertility acupuncture cost?
Fertility acupuncture at Artemis is $150 for the initial visit and $130 for each follow-up. We can bill many extended health insurers directly (including Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life and Green Shield Canada); you pay only the part your plan does not cover (co-pay, deductible or amounts above your plan maximum). Reception can check your coverage before your first visit.
Is fertility acupuncture covered by ICBC or MSP?
ICBC: only if your fertility-related concerns are connected to a motor vehicle accident (rare but possible). MSP: limited acupuncture coverage in BC; most patients use private extended health benefits.
What languages can I have my fertility consultation in?
Mandy speaks English, Mandarin, and Cantonese fluently. For deeply personal topics like fertility, the ability to use your strongest language matters — discuss in whichever language feels most natural.
Do you offer acupuncture for natural conception (not IVF)?
Yes. Many patients use fertility acupuncture for natural conception support, often combined with cycle tracking and sometimes with IUI. The protocol is different from IVF support but the underlying principles are the same.
Can my partner come to consultations?
Absolutely welcome. Many patients bring a partner to the initial consultation; most prefer to come alone for treatment sessions. Whichever feels right for you.
Booking a Fertility Acupuncture Consultation
If you are exploring acupuncture as part of an IVF journey or natural conception support, Mandy Tam (R.Ac) at Artemis Wellness Clinic, 5911 No. 3 Rd #130, Richmond BC (steps from Brighouse SkyTrain), provides 60-minute fertility consultations in English, Mandarin, or Cantonese. Phone 604-242-2233 or book online at artemis.janeapp.com. Direct billing for major extended health plans. For more on Mandy’s full practice, see her practitioner spotlight and our fertility acupuncture in Richmond BC overview.
This article gives a general description of how a course of care can be structured; it is not the story of an individual patient. Individual experiences and results vary. Acupuncture is a supportive complementary therapy and does not replace medical fertility treatment.
