QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE BOOKING A FERTILITY ACUPUNCTURE SESSION
So, hopefully my previous blogs in this series have made it clear what a fertility acupuncturist does, how it differs from a generalist and why they charge what they charge. If that’s the kind of support you’re looking for, how do you go about finding it? My recommendation is not just to automatically go by who is nearest or cheapest and says they treat fertility – they might be great, but they might not. Before you book a session with someone, ask about their training and experience, how they'll use your test results, how they work alongside your medical care and what support you'll get between sessions. The answers will tell you quickly whether you're talking to a specialist fertility acupuncturist or an acupuncturist who treats fertility, and which one suits what you need.
Many practitioners will have all of the information you need on their website but others will offer a free call or will answer questions by email. These are the questions I'd get answers to before booking:
What fertility-specific training have you done? Look for postgraduate training in fertility, gynaecology and obstetrics, not just fertility covered as part of a general degree.
Will you review all my test results, and my partner's? A specialist will want copies of everything, not just a summary of what you've been told.
How do you work alongside my GP, consultant or IVF clinic? They should be comfortable with Western medicine, including timing treatment around IVF.
Will I get anything in writing? Written findings or a treatment plan aren’t essential, but they can be very helpful. They show that someone has actually worked through your case, and they give you something to refer back to as treatment progresses.
When would you refer me to someone else? A good answer names specific situations where a referral might be needed. Being a specialist doesn’t mean treating everything on your own.
What support is there between sessions? Fertility journeys move quickly, and questions don't wait for your next appointment.
How often will I need to come, and what will it cost overall? A clear answer upfront means no surprises. Without a full consultation it won’t be possible to say exactly how long you’ll need or what the total cost will be, but they should be able to give you a minimum amount of treatment that will be required and the factors that might influence the timing.
What the answers tell you
Take question 2. If the answer is "I treat according to your Chinese medicine pattern, so I don't really need your results", that tells you they're an acupuncturist who treats fertility. That may be exactly what you want, particularly if you just want an hour away from all the testing and statistics and, as I’ve said previously, many people find this kind of treatment very helpful. But if you want someone to support you with the Western medicine side of things and look for what may have been missed, that answer tells you to keep looking to find the right practitioner for you.
There's no single right answer to every question. The aim is to find someone whose way of working matches the level of support you want.
Ask me too. These are the questions I'd want you to ask me. If you'd like to go through them, or anything else, book a free 15-minute consultation before committing to anything.