What is Pre and Post Transfer Acupuncture?
Pre and post transfer acupuncture refers to acupuncture treatments performed on the same day as your embryo transfer — one session before the transfer and one after. The goal is to support your body’s receptivity to implantation, reduce the stress response that can interfere with IVF outcomes, and help your nervous system shift into a calm, restorative state at one of the most important moments in your fertility journey.
This approach has been studied more extensively than almost any other complementary therapy in reproductive medicine, and the evidence — while still evolving — is genuinely encouraging.
Are You Hoping to Add Acupuncture on the Day of Your Transfer?
Here's the short version of how it works with Drew:
You come to Drew's clinic on the Danforth in Toronto for a treatment before your transfer. After your transfer is complete, email Drew directly to let him know you are returning to his Danforth clinic for the second treatment. Both sessions are designed to be deeply relaxing, and Drew will walk you through what to expect at every step.
Timing is coordinated around your transfer appointment. Most clients are able to complete both sessions on the same day — though depending on when your transfer is scheduled, some flexibility may be needed.
To add pre and post transfer acupuncture to your IVF cycle
📧 Email Drew: drew@drewnesbitt.ca |
Book Online
What is Pre and Post Transfer Acupuncture?
Pre and post transfer acupuncture refers to acupuncture treatments performed on the same day as your embryo transfer — one session before the transfer and one after. The goal is to support your body’s receptivity to implantation, reduce the stress response that can interfere with IVF outcomes, and help your nervous system shift into a calm, restorative state at one of the most important moments in your fertility journey.
This approach has been studied more extensively than almost any other complementary therapy in reproductive medicine, and the evidence — while still evolving — is genuinely encouraging.
What Does the Research Say?
The research on acupuncture and IVF has grown substantially since the early 2000s. Here is a summary of the most relevant current evidence:
The landmark 2008 BMJ meta-analysis — the study most practitioners still reference — found that acupuncture given with embryo transfer improved rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing IVF. This finding set the stage for years of further research.
More recently, a 2025 updated systematic review and meta-analysis found that compared to sham acupuncture and blank controls, acupuncture significantly improved biochemical pregnancy rates and clinical pregnancy rates, and was also associated with better pain management during procedures and reduced anxiety levels. ScienceDirect
A systematic review and meta-analysis examining acupuncture performed around the time of embryo transfer — which included 20 trials and over 5,000 women — found increased pregnancies, increased live births, and reduced miscarriage when acupuncture was compared with no adjunctive treatment. PubMed
A randomized clinical trial specifically comparing acupuncture before transfer only versus acupuncture before and after transfer found that both groups showed improved pregnancy outcomes compared to controls, with the pre and post group showing the strongest results. nih
It is important to note that the research in this area is not without controversy — some studies show stronger effects than others, and study design varies considerably across trials. What the body of evidence does consistently suggest is that acupuncture around the time of embryo transfer is safe, well tolerated, and associated with meaningful benefits for many patients — particularly in reducing anxiety and supporting a calm physiological state at transfer.
Key studies for further reading:
- Updated systematic review and meta-analysis, ScienceDirect 2025: Read here
- Systematic review and meta-analysis, PubMed 2019: Read here
- RCT on acupuncture timing on day of embryo transfer, PubMed Central: Read here
- Updated systematic review on IVF outcomes, PubMed 2023: Read here
How Does Acupuncture Help on Transfer Day?
There are several mechanisms through which acupuncture is thought to support IVF outcomes on transfer day:
Nervous system regulation — Transfer day is stressful. Elevated cortisol and adrenaline can create uterine contractions and reduce blood flow to the reproductive organs at exactly the wrong moment. Acupuncture has been shown to measurably reduce cortisol and prolactin levels, helping the body shift out of fight-or-flight and into a more receptive, regulated state.
Improved uterine blood flow — Acupuncture is believed to increase circulation to the uterus, supporting the conditions needed for implantation. Improved endometrial blood flow is one of the most studied mechanisms in this area.
Regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis — Acupuncture may help regulate the hormonal signalling pathways involved in implantation, supporting the body’s own reproductive processes rather than simply adding an external intervention.
Anxiety reduction — Perhaps the most consistently demonstrated benefit. Transfer day is emotionally and physically demanding. Arriving calm, having experienced a treatment beforehand, and returning for a restorative session after makes a meaningful difference to how patients experience the day — regardless of outcome.
What Does a Treatment With Drew Look Like on Transfer Day?
Both sessions take place at Drew’s clinic at 1533 Danforth Avenue, Toronto.
The pre-transfer session typically runs 45–60 minutes and focuses on calming the nervous system, supporting uterine blood flow, and preparing the body for transfer. Points are selected based on your specific TCM diagnosis and where you are in your cycle.
The post-transfer session is gentler and more restorative in nature — focused on supporting implantation, maintaining calm, and helping you transition from the clinical environment of the fertility clinic into a state of rest.
Drew has worked with IVF patients for over 25 years and understands both the emotional weight of transfer day and the clinical considerations that make acupuncture on this day different from a standard treatment. You will not be rushed.
Starting Early — The 3-Month Advantage
While pre and post transfer acupuncture on the day itself is valuable, the strongest outcomes are seen in patients who have been receiving regular acupuncture — and in many cases Chinese herbal medicine — for at least three months before their retrieval or transfer.
The reason is biological: eggs and sperm each take approximately 90 days to mature. Treatment that begins three months before your cycle has the opportunity to influence egg quality, endometrial receptivity, and hormonal balance in ways that a single session cannot.
If you are still in the planning stages of your IVF cycle, starting now is always better than waiting. [A full guide to acupuncture for fertility — including what to expect from treatment, how to find the right practitioner, and the science behind it — is available here: link to fertility guide.]
A note on male partners: sperm quality is equally influenced by the 3-month preparation window. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have both been studied for their effects on sperm motility, morphology, and count. A dedicated male fertility article will be linked here when available.
How to Book With Drew for Your Transfer Day
To add pre and post transfer acupuncture to your IVF cycle:
Email Drew: drew@drewnesbitt.ca — include your expected transfer date and Drew will confirm availability and coordinate timing with you directly.
Book online: drewnesbitt.ca/book-online — for general fertility appointments leading up to your transfer.
Drew personally responds to every email inquiry. The earlier you reach out, the easier it is to coordinate around your transfer schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
As soon as you have a confirmed or estimated transfer date — ideally at least 1–2 weeks in advance. Transfer days can shift, and having a plan in place early reduces stress when timing changes.
You are welcome to come for transfer day acupuncture as a new patient. That said, patients who have been receiving regular treatment in the weeks or months leading up to transfer tend to have a stronger baseline and may see better results. If possible, booking even a few sessions beforehand is worthwhile.
Ideally 30–60 minutes between the end of your pre-transfer acupuncture session and your transfer appointment at the fertility clinic. This allows time to travel and for the treatment to settle. Drew will work with you to coordinate timing based on your specific schedule.
No — acupuncture is entirely compatible with IVF protocols and is increasingly recommended by fertility clinics as a complementary approach. If your clinic has any specific concerns, Drew is happy to communicate with your medical team directly.
It happens — fertility schedules are unpredictable. Contact Drew as soon as you know and he will do his best to accommodate the change. If same-day availability is not possible, adjustments can sometimes be made to treat the day before or after.
Acupuncture treatments are covered by most extended health benefit plans in Ontario. Coverage for transfer day sessions is typically the same as any other acupuncture appointment. Check with your provider for your specific coverage limits.