🎧 Episode 11: Acupuncture for Fertility. How Integrative Approaches Boost IVF Success with Dr. Rachel
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Introduction
In this episode of the WOVA Circle Podcast, we explore the role of acupuncture and Chinese medicine in fertility, IVF support, and whole-body reproductive health. Dr. Rachel Hemphill, a licensed acupuncturist in California and nationally certified practitioner in reproductive medicine, shares how traditional Chinese medicine can complement modern fertility care through a personalized, integrative approach.
With nearly 15 years of clinical experience, Dr. Hemphill bridges Eastern and Western medicine to support individuals and couples trying to conceive (TTC), including those undergoing IUI and IVF, navigating diminished ovarian reserve, or optimizing natural fertility. Her work focuses on improving reproductive health through acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition, stress regulation, and lifestyle support.
In this conversation, we go beyond the surface of acupuncture to understand how it actually works in clinical practice, what the research does (and doesn’t) show, and how individualized care can support both female and male fertility factors. We also discuss emotional wellbeing, stress, and how integrative care can help patients feel more supported throughout their fertility journey.
Whether you are just beginning to explore fertility support or are already in active treatment, this episode offers grounded insight into how acupuncture may fit into a broader, evidence-informed fertility plan.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
How acupuncture and Chinese medicine support fertility and reproductive health
The difference between general acupuncture and fertility-focused training and certification
How acupuncture may complement IVF, IUI, and natural conception
The role of stress, sleep, digestion, and lifestyle in reproductive outcomes
What the research says about acupuncture and fertility (and why studies can be conflicting)
Male fertility: how acupuncture supports sperm health, stress, and hormonal balance
How to choose the right fertility acupuncturist for your TTC journey
What a first acupuncture consultation looks like in a fertility-focused practice
How integrative care can support diminished ovarian reserve and egg quality
The importance of timing, consistency, and individualized treatment protocols
⏱ Listen time: 44 minutes
🎧 Format: Video & Audio
📍 Best for: Individuals and couples trying to conceive, those preparing for IVF or IUI, and anyone exploring integrative and whole-body approaches to fertility health
👉 Explore Personalized Support with WOVA Health
👉 Learn More About Gabie’s Story
Podcast Transcript
Gabie: Welcome everyone. Today I'm joined by Dr. Rachel Hemphill, a licensed acupuncturist in California, nationally certified as a Diplomat of Oriental Medicine by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. She's a seasoned practitioner with nearly 15 years of experience, known for her commitment to bridging traditional and modern medicine to provide holistic, compassionate care. Welcome, Dr. Rachel.
Dr. Rachel: Thank you so much for having me.
Dr. Rachel's Journey Into Acupuncture
Gabie: I'd love to learn more about your journey. How did you get into acupuncture in the first place?
Dr. Rachel: It's something I actually fought for a really long time. I was originally trying to go to traditional medical school, and a colleague suggested I look into acupuncture and Chinese medicine. I resisted for years — I even applied to acupuncture school five years before I actually enrolled.
The turning point came when I was living in New York City. During the application process, an admissions counselor asked what I wanted to specialize in. I mentioned pediatrics and fertility, and she arranged for me to shadow a fertility acupuncturist. It turned out to be Mike Berkeley, one of the top fertility acupuncturists in the country. He was incredibly generous with his time and showed me what his clinical work actually looked like day to day. I was hooked.
I moved back to California, started school, and began interning with Dr. Dao, who wrote the definitive textbook on acupuncture and fertility. She really taught me everything I know. That was my path into fertility acupuncture.
What Acupuncture Actually Is
Gabie: How little do we know about acupuncture. Can you tell us more about what it actually is?
Dr. Rachel: Acupuncture is one of the branches of Chinese medicine. I always say I'm a practitioner of Chinese medicine, because when patients come in for care, they're not only receiving acupuncture — they're also receiving herbal medicine, moxibustion when appropriate, and nutritional and lifestyle guidance.
Acupuncture itself involves the insertion of thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body to elicit a therapeutic response. I like to compare it to creating a recipe. Every patient has some kind of imbalance or area that needs support, and we create a point prescription tailored specifically to them — with the goal of producing a measurable change in how they feel or what they're experiencing.
The Education Behind Becoming An Acupuncturist
Gabie: Many people assume acupuncture requires only a short certification. Can you share what's really involved in becoming a practitioner?
Dr. Rachel: Most people are genuinely surprised. It is not a short certificate program — it's a four-year graduate-level medical training. You need a bachelor's degree to apply, and most practitioners complete either a full-time four-year master's degree or a doctorate. There are no summers off.
And you're still not done after graduation. Depending on your state, you must apply for licensure, which requires passing a state exam. California is known for having one of the hardest licensing exams in the country. So if you're working with a California-certified acupuncturist, you're working with someone who cleared a very high bar.
Gabie: So patients are truly in good hands.
Dr. Rachel: I hope so!
Gabie: There's also an additional certification required to specialize in fertility acupuncture, correct? Not all acupuncturists specialize in this area.
Dr. Rachel: That's correct. It's a postgraduate training. I hold the AOBTA-CR certification through the Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine. It involved significant additional hours of training followed by a separate exam. It's a meaningful credential that signals a practitioner has gone beyond general acupuncture training to specialize specifically in reproductive medicine.
How To Choose The Right Fertility Acupuncturist
Gabie: If someone is seeking acupuncture during their fertility journey or during IVF, what should they look for when choosing a practitioner?
Dr. Rachel: It's a really individualized question. You can find the most highly regarded fertility acupuncturists in your area, but if the personality doesn't match or the communication style doesn't feel right, that's not the practitioner for you.
It really has to be a combination of personality fit and clinical expertise. Ask about their experience with fertility care specifically. Ask whether they understand IVF protocols and menstrual cycle physiology. Have they worked with recurrent pregnancy loss? Do they have training in prenatal care? They don't necessarily need a formal fertility certification, but those are the right questions to ask.
Gabie: I'd also encourage people not to give up if the first practitioner isn't the right fit. I went through several acupuncturists myself before finding the right one. Some environments were too loud or too bright to relax in, and some practitioners didn't have the fertility training I was looking for. Finding the right fit really does matter.
Dr. Rachel: Absolutely. And that's always one of my first questions when a new patient comes in after seeing someone else — what wasn't working, and what can we do differently? It can be any number of things. The environment, the communication style, even the way a practitioner talks to you. We're all here to learn, and the priority is always making patients feel comfortable and supported.
Why The Research On Acupuncture Is Mixed
Gabie: If you look at the research, you find mixed evidence. Some studies support acupuncture for fertility, others don't. Why do you think that is?
Dr. Rachel: We could dedicate an entire podcast to this. The core issue is that the current research model doesn't translate well to acupuncture. You simply cannot standardize acupuncture and compare it to a control — it doesn't work that way.
Acupuncture is highly individualized. Two patients both coming in for fertility support might receive completely different point prescriptions depending on their overall health picture. But in research studies, a standardized set of points is applied to all participants, which doesn't reflect how acupuncture is actually practiced.
Dosage is another issue. One of the most well-known studies on acupuncture and IVF — the Paulus study from the early 2000s — used just two sessions around embryo transfer. That's simply not enough acupuncture to meaningfully support someone through a transfer cycle.
And then there's the funding problem. Acupuncture doesn't have pharmaceutical backers, so we don't have access to large, well-funded, multi-center trials. Most studies are small. When you can't study acupuncture in the way it's meant to be practiced, you're never going to see the results that reflect what's actually happening in the clinic. It's really a case of fitting a round peg into a square hole.
What Dr. Rachel Sees In Her Practice
Gabie: In your clinical experience, what kinds of outcomes and changes have you witnessed?
Dr. Rachel: So many things — I don't even know where to start. The cases that really stand out are the patients who have been told they will never conceive on their own, who then go on to get pregnant through acupuncture, herbs, and lifestyle changes.
It happens more often than people might expect. I've had numerous patients who were right at the point of ordering their IVF medications, only to get a positive pregnancy test before placing the order.
Most recently, I had a patient who was told her only path to parenthood was through a surrogate. She found a surrogate, was preparing for the transfer — and then got pregnant on her own.
Gabie: That really speaks to the importance of optimizing overall health. Research from the National Institutes of Health suggests that 70 to 90% of chronic disease is related to environmental and lifestyle factors. Infertility is classified as a chronic disease, so while we can't say that optimizing your health guarantees a specific outcome, the potential impact is real and significant. I've seen it in my own journey and in so many others.
What If Someone Is Nervous About Needles?
Gabie: Some people are nervous about acupuncture. Can someone still benefit if they're not comfortable with needles?
Dr. Rachel: I will always try to gently introduce a few calming acupuncture points when someone comes in for the first time, and we work up gradually from there. If a patient has a specific area they're not comfortable with, we simply won't use it.
The most memorable example I have is a male patient who grew up in a country where acupuncture was used with children — and he experienced it in a very traumatic way as a kid. He told me he simply could not go through with needles. So instead, I gave him a TENS unit with a point prescription he could use at home for male fertility support. That approach worked really well for him.
Acupuncture And Male Fertility
Gabie: Let's talk about male fertility. Acupuncture tends to be associated with women's health, but it supports male fertility too. Can you explain how?
Dr. Rachel: Men make up 50% of the equation — they're contributing 50% of the embryo — so their health absolutely needs to be in optimal condition as well.
The treatment approach for men and women in Chinese medicine is actually quite similar at its core. We're focused on optimizing blood flow to the pelvic area to improve sperm parameters, supporting stress management, and improving sleep quality. Those are foundational pillars for male fertility just as much as female fertility.
The Most Common Issues Blocking Conception
Gabie: Between women and men, what do you typically see as the biggest factors blocking conception?
Dr. Rachel: Stress and anxiety are probably number one. In the Bay Area especially, we see a lot of high-achieving people in demanding careers, living in an expensive environment — that creates a significant chronic stress load.
Poor sleep follows closely. When you're not sleeping well, it affects your entire hormonal cascade, your digestion, your immune function. And then there's blood sugar dysregulation — skipping meals, eating on the go, not eating balanced meals. These are all things that quietly undermine fertility over time.
Why Patients Are Often Told They Can't Conceive
Gabie: You mentioned that patients often come to you after being told they cannot conceive. Why do you think that happens?
Dr. Rachel: It comes from a variety of places. Sometimes it's an OB or a reproductive endocrinologist using an equation that factors in age and hormone levels to generate a success percentage. The problem is that equation doesn't account for the full picture of someone's health.
I always tell patients — you cannot reduce fertility down to age and a few numbers. There are so many other factors at play.
Gabie: We're moving away from the old thinking that age is the primary factor and that little can be done about it. More research is showing that if you're still ovulating and haven't reached menopause, egg quality can be supported. You really only need one healthy egg and one healthy sperm. The focus needs to be on quality, especially when working with limited reserves.
Dr. Rachel: Exactly. And it's worth noting that the data right now shows the largest group of first-time mothers are women in their forties. That says a lot.
Acupuncture During IUI, IVF, And Natural Conception
Gabie: Are there differences in how you approach treatment depending on whether someone is trying naturally, doing IUI, or going through IVF?
Dr. Rachel: At the core, the foundational goals are the same across all three — reduce stress, improve blood flow to the pelvic area, optimize overall health.
Where treatment diverges is when patients are using fertility medications. In those cases, we add points specifically to help manage the side effects that commonly come up — bloating, headaches, hot flashes, disrupted sleep, and changes in digestion and urinary habits. The treatment is essentially layered on top of the foundation to address what's happening in the body during a medicated cycle.
When To Start And How Long To Continue
Gabie: When is a good time to start acupuncture during an IVF journey?
Dr. Rachel: Anytime is a great time. There's no magic formula or ideal starting point. What we do emphasize as fertility acupuncturists is the cumulative effect — consistent treatment over time is more beneficial than a single session right before an embryo transfer.
If someone starts on day five of their stimulation cycle, I'll still see them. Some acupuncture is always better than none.
Gabie: And do you continue treatment after a positive transfer and into pregnancy?
Dr. Rachel: Yes. I recommend weekly sessions through the first trimester. Acupuncture during this time supports blood flow, helps with implantation, and addresses early pregnancy symptoms like nausea and sleep disruption.
In the second trimester, patients decide how frequently they want to come in — some come every other week, some once a month. If something specific comes up like sciatica or back pain, I'll see them more frequently. And in the third trimester, I tailor the treatment plan depending on whether someone is preparing for a vaginal birth or a cesarean.
Who Seeks Fertility Acupuncture
Gabie: Do you mostly see patients going through fertility treatments, or also those trying to conceive naturally?
Dr. Rachel: I see patients across the full spectrum. Some come in during the preconception phase, before they've even started trying — they just want to get their bodies in the best possible condition. We'll look at their cycles, discuss ovulation tracking, and make sure they have a clear plan.
I also see patients going through IUI and IVF, gestational carriers preparing for transfer, and intended parents who are navigating the emotional weight of going through a transfer with another person. Anyone at any stage of their fertility journey is welcome.
Outcomes Patients Experience
Gabie: What outcomes do patients commonly see when they pair acupuncture with IVF or IUI?
Dr. Rachel: The outcome we're all working toward is a healthy baby. But beyond that, what I'm really looking for is whether the patient feels that acupuncture had a positive impact on the overall experience. That might look like minimal side effects from the medications, or sleeping well throughout the cycle, or feeling genuinely calm and grounded going into a transfer. Those outcomes matter enormously, even beyond the clinical results.
Gabie: That resonates deeply with me. I did acupuncture during my IVF journey, post-transfer, and through the first trimester. It was honestly one of the few things I truly looked forward to during a very difficult time. The fertility journey can be emotionally and physically exhausting, and acupuncture gave me real moments of calm. It was a space that was entirely mine.
Dr. Rachel: That's something so many of my patients describe. A lot of people go through fertility treatment without telling friends or family — for privacy, or because they just don't have the support around them. As acupuncturists, we often end up holding space in a way that goes beyond the clinical. We're companions through the process. Someone is always here to listen.
Understanding Ovulation Tracking
Gabie: Many women believe they ovulate on day 14 of a 28-day cycle. Can you explain why that's not the case for most people?
Dr. Rachel: This comes up constantly. I'll have patients come in who are counting their cycles incorrectly — starting day one from the last day of bleeding rather than the first day of flow. That alone can put someone five days behind in their testing window.
There really is no "normal" when it comes to ovulation. Some women ovulate on day 10, some on day 12, some later. I encourage patients to test across a wider window — starting around day 10 and going through day 20 — and then identify their pattern from there.
Gabie: My cycle has always run about 25 to 26 days, and I typically ovulate around day 9 or 10. If I had followed the day 14 guideline, I could have missed my fertile window entirely. I only figured this out by testing — and even the standard LH surge test doesn't confirm ovulation. You need to look at additional hormones to actually confirm it.
Dr. Rachel: Exactly. And for patients with PCOS, LH tests are often unreliable entirely — they may always show a positive, which tells you very little. There are much better options available now. The Prove test tracks progesterone to confirm ovulation. Devices like the Mira track all four key hormones — estrogen metabolites, LH, progesterone, and FSH — giving a much more complete picture. I recommend different tools depending on each patient's situation.
Gabie: Do you ever incorporate the fertility awareness method — basal body temperature, cervical fluid tracking?
Dr. Rachel: I do bring it up, though I find it can be difficult for patients with demanding schedules because the method requires consistency — you need to take your temperature at the same time every morning, including weekends. Missing even a couple of data points can affect the whole picture.
That said, there are wearable devices on the market now that track skin temperature passively, which makes the method more accessible without the same level of daily discipline. It's a good middle ground for some patients.
Supporting Diminished Ovarian Reserve And Low AMH
Gabie: What about patients with diminished ovarian reserve or low AMH? Is the approach any different?
Dr. Rachel: The first thing I always want a patient with low AMH to understand is that AMH is a marker of ovarian reserve — it is not a predictor of whether someone can have a live birth. Research has actually confirmed that AMH is not a reliable predictive number for live birth outcomes. Its primary clinical value is helping a reproductive endocrinologist determine the right medication dosage for stimulation during IVF.
That framing matters enormously. Once a patient understands that, the treatment itself isn't radically different. We're still focused on optimizing blood flow to the pelvic area and reducing stress. But for patients with lower reserve, I place additional emphasis on antioxidant support — increasing fruits and vegetables, targeted supplements — and I do a thorough review of their daily environment for endocrine disruptors. Cookware, personal care products, cleaning products. We want to make sure nothing in their daily life is working against egg quality.
Gabie: I wish I had been given that framing when I was first told I had low AMH. I panicked. I felt like I was running out of time, like I might never get pregnant naturally. I was even offered the possibility of donor eggs at 35. All of that stress was unnecessary. If someone had simply explained that low AMH tells us how you'll respond to IVF medications — not whether you can conceive — it would have changed my entire experience.
Dr. Rachel: And that's a much wider problem. We are really lacking when it comes to proactive women's health. Ideally, women would have a baseline AMH test done in their thirties so they could make informed decisions — about egg freezing, about timing, about family planning — before things become urgent. I've had patients tell me that if they'd known their numbers earlier, they would have made very different choices.
When IVF Makes Sense
Gabie: At what point would you recommend IVF? Are there situations where it's clearly the right path?
Dr. Rachel: Blocked tubes are probably the clearest indication — IVF is the most appropriate route in that situation. Beyond that, I try not to push IVF as a first line of treatment if it's not aligned with a patient's goals or values.
That said, if a younger patient comes in and we discover they have low ovarian reserve and they want more than one child, I will have a conversation about speaking with a reproductive endocrinologist about banking embryos sooner rather than later.
It really comes down to the individual. Some patients are strongly opposed to IVF and I respect that completely. My role is to support whatever path is right for them.
Why People Fear IVF
Gabie: Why do you think so many people are afraid of IVF?
Dr. Rachel: The most common concern I hear is about the emotional and psychological side effects of the medications. Many of my patients have histories of anxiety, depression, or past trauma, and their biggest fear is that the hormones are going to intensify those experiences. That is the number one thing that holds people back.
Gabie: I was fortunate that the medications didn't affect me too significantly — but I know that's not everyone's experience. I think it also helped that I had been working on my overall health throughout the process.
Dr. Rachel: That's important context. And IVF protocols have evolved significantly. When I first started practicing, the standard of care was to give the maximum medication dose to everyone. That created a lot of difficult side effects. We now know that lower, more individualized doses are often optimal. The field has really shifted.
Gabie: I'd add that not all clinics are up to date on current protocols. Doing some research before choosing a clinic is well worth the time.
What The First Session Looks Like
Gabie: When someone begins working with you, what does that first session look like?
Dr. Rachel: I like to describe it as an easy conversation between two people. Before coming in, patients complete detailed intake paperwork covering their full health history — past IVF or IUI cycles and their outcomes, current lab results, semen analysis if applicable.
In the session itself, I ask about lifestyle in detail. What does your daily movement look like? Walk me through what you eat in a day. What does your social support look like — are you close with family and friends? Are you currently working with a mental health therapist? All of that matters.
The first session is about an hour, and by the end I'll have gone over what I think a reasonable treatment plan looks like and what the patient can expect to experience in the first few sessions working together.
Supporting Patients With Past Trauma
Gabie: You mentioned that many of your patients are dealing with past trauma. Do you approach those patients differently?
Dr. Rachel: It depends on the nature of the trauma. For patients with a history of sexual trauma, I'm very intentional about draping, about clearly communicating before any physical contact, and about asking for explicit consent before accessing the abdomen or lower body. Consent and safety are non-negotiable.
For patients dealing with stress more broadly, I always want to hear what's actually happening in their lives before we start treatment. I don't want to simply put needles in and move on. Sometimes what someone needs most is to be heard. The clinical treatment works best when it's paired with genuine listening. It has to be both.
One Piece Of Guidance For Someone Just Starting
Gabie: For someone listening right now who feels overwhelmed and doesn't know where to start — what's one piece of guidance you'd offer?
Dr. Rachel: Start by booking a free 15-minute consultation. Most fertility acupuncturists offer this, and it's the best way to get a sense of whether the practitioner and approach are a good fit for you — without any commitment.
Book a few of these with different practitioners in your area if you need to. Talk to people. See who you connect with. And then just start.
The feedback I hear most often is: I wish I had done this sooner. Don't be that person. Don't let fear or overwhelm keep you from taking that first step.
Where To Find Dr. Rachel
Gabie: Where can people find you or book a session?
Dr. Rachel: I'm based in Oakland, California. You can find me at citypulseacupuncture.com — you can contact me directly through the website or book an appointment online.
Gabie: And do you work with people virtually as well?
Dr. Rachel: I do, for anyone in the state of California. Virtually I can provide supplement recommendations, send herbal prescriptions by mail, and offer lifestyle and nutrition guidance. So if coming into the clinic isn't possible, there are still meaningful ways I can support you.
Gabie: Dr. Rachel, thank you so much. This was such an informative and genuinely empowering conversation. The goal of WOVA has always been to give people the knowledge they need to be proactive in their preconception care — to boost their chances of conceiving, to have a healthier pregnancy, and to build a foundation for long-term wellbeing. This conversation does exactly that.
Dr. Rachel: Thank you so much. It was truly a pleasure. Always good to talk to you.
🌐 Connect with Dr. Rachel:
Instagram: @citypulseacupuncture
Website: City Pulse Acupuncture
🌿 Connect with WOVA:
Instagram: @wovahealth
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