Acupuncturist placing gentle abdominal needles for embryo transfer support at Shen Medicine in Nashville
Oct 26

Does Acupuncture Help Embryo Transfer? What the Newest Research Says

Transfer day is one of the most hopeful (and nerve-wracking) days of the whole IVF process. So of course you want to know: does acupuncture help embryo transfer?

It’s a question we hear a lot here in Nashville, and the research has some encouraging things to say. You know we love a good study breakdown, so grab a cup of tea. We’ll walk through what the studies found, what transfer day acupuncture looks like and how to fit it into your plan.

If you’re looking for the bigger picture on how acupuncture can support you around transfer, start with our post on the benefits of acupuncture for embryo transfer. This one is all about the research.

What is a meta-analysis, anyway?

A meta-analysis pools the results of many studies on the same question and analyzes them together. It’s a way to see the bigger pattern instead of relying on one study alone.

Think of it like reading every review of a restaurant instead of just one. When several studies point in the same direction, it gives you more confidence in what you’re seeing. Two of the studies below are meta-analyses, which is why we love them.

Does acupuncture help embryo transfer? What the research found

Several studies have linked acupuncture around embryo transfer to higher pregnancy rates. It may also help you feel calmer on a very emotional day.

Here are the findings that stand out:

  • A 2025 review of 11 trials: Published in Frontiers in Reproductive Health, this review included 3,561 women going through IVF. Women who had acupuncture on transfer day had a 25% higher clinical pregnancy rate than women who had no extra treatment. (A clinical pregnancy means a pregnancy sac was seen on ultrasound.)
  • A 2008 review in the BMJ: This analysis pooled 7 trials with 1,366 women. Acupuncture around embryo transfer was linked to 65% higher odds of clinical pregnancy and 91% higher odds of live birth compared with control groups.
  • Less anxiety: A 2019 randomized trial found that women who got acupuncture reported less anxiety at embryo transfer than women who got a placebo treatment.

What do transfer day acupuncture success rates look like?

The study that started it all is a great example. In 2002, researchers published a trial in Fertility and Sterility with 160 women going through IVF. Half had acupuncture for about 25 minutes before and 25 minutes after their embryo transfer, and half didn’t.

  • With acupuncture: 42.5% had a clinical pregnancy
  • Without acupuncture: 26.3% had a clinical pregnancy

That schedule became known as the Paulus protocol, and it’s still the most widely used approach for transfer day acupuncture today. It’s also the protocol we use at Shen Medicine.

When you read about transfer day acupuncture success rates, keep in mind that every body, clinic and cycle is different. No one can promise a pregnancy, and anyone who does is a red flag. What the research gives you is a good reason to consider adding acupuncture to your plan.

Why might acupuncture help on transfer day?

Researchers have a few ideas. The 2025 review describes possible ways acupuncture may help, including better blood flow to the uterus and less anxiety and stress.

From a Chinese medicine view, transfer day is all about creating a calm, warm, welcoming environment in your body. Acupuncture helps settle your nervous system so you can rest, breathe and feel grounded. And honestly, on a day when your mind is racing, an hour of quiet where someone takes care of you is a gift.

A transfer day session can help you:

  • Feel calmer walking into the transfer
  • Have a plan for the day, so it feels less overwhelming
  • Rest afterward instead of rushing back to real life

What does transfer day acupuncture look like at Shen Medicine in Nashville?

At our office at 2505 21st Ave S, Suite 400, Nashville, TN, a transfer day visit is quiet, warm and unhurried. Here’s what to expect:

  • Before transfer: About 25 minutes of acupuncture to help settle your nerves and your nervous system
  • After transfer: Another 25-minute session to help you rest, following the Paulus protocol
  • Timing that fits your clinic: We plan around your transfer time, so nothing feels rushed
  • Support beyond the day itself: Many patients also come in during the lead-up and the two-week wait

We work alongside your fertility clinic. Your doctors lead the medical plan, and we support you through it. Learn more about our fertility acupuncture care, read about when to start acupuncture before IVF, or book your transfer day visit.

Quick FAQ

Does acupuncture help embryo transfer success? Studies have linked acupuncture around transfer to higher pregnancy rates, and it may help you feel less anxious. It works best as support alongside your fertility clinic’s care.

Can I get acupuncture on transfer day in Nashville? Yes. We offer transfer day sessions and plan the timing around your clinic’s schedule. If you’re traveling to Nashville for treatment at one of the city’s fertility clinics, you’re welcome to come in just for your pre and post-transfer visits.

What is the Paulus protocol? It’s a transfer day schedule with about 25 minutes of acupuncture before your embryo transfer and 25 minutes after. It’s the protocol we use at Shen.

Is acupuncture safe after embryo transfer? When done by a licensed acupuncturist who knows you may be pregnant, it’s generally considered low risk. We use gentle, pregnancy-safe points. Let your clinic know too.

Wherever you are in your fertility journey, we’d love to support you here in Nashville.

With love (and very fine needles),
The Shen Medicine Team

Sources

This post is for education only and isn’t medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about what’s right for you.