Traveling to Knoxville for Your Embryo Transfer?
Learn more about the benefits of acupuncture before and after embryo transfer and how we make it easy on patients coming to Knoxville for their transfer.
Traveling to Knoxville for Your Embryo Transfer?
Each year, hundreds of patients travel to Tennessee from across the country for specialized fertility care.Whether you are visiting the National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC) for embryo adoption or working with another local clinic, like Rejoice Fertility your embryo transfer day involves a lot of moving parts. Because the NEDC in Knoxville performs more embryo adoption transfers than any other center globally, our team has unique, high-volume experience supporting these specific types of cycles. We aren't just 'familiar' with embryo adoption; it’s a core part of our practice.
At our clinic, we specialize in "bridge care"—providing the acupuncture support you need while you are away from your home team.
Why Out-of-Town Patients Choose Acupuncture
Research shows that acupuncture during an FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer), embryo adoption, or fresh transfer can be a game-changer. Research by our own Sarah Prater on acupuncture pre and post transfer showed that patients receiving acupuncture saw a clinical pregnancy rate of 55.1% (versus 34.4% without) and a significantly lower miscarriage rate of 3.4% compared to 22.7% in the non-acupuncture group. Beyond the clinical success, acupuncture offers traveling patients two vital benefits:
Travel Recovery: Long drives or flights can increase cortisol and physical tension. Acupuncture helps reset your nervous system.
Emotional Grounding: Being in an unfamiliar city for a such an important procedure can be stressful. We provide a calm, welcoming space to center yourself before and after your procedure.
We Coordinate with Your Transfer Schedule
We know that when you are traveling, you don't always have control over your timing.
No Prior Acupuncture Experience Necessary: You don't need to be a regular patient of ours to book a transfer session and it’s ok if this is your first experience with acupuncture. We’re gentle and we’ll walk through everything prior to treatment.
Flexible Scheduling: We are well-versed in the "last minute" nature of transfer times. We coordinate with out-of-town schedules, staying late or coming in on weekends to ensure your embryo transfer is supported.
A "Home Base" in Knoxville: We are proud to serve as a resource for the embryo adoption community, offering a supportive environment for those navigating the unique journey of donor embryo cycles.
How to Book Embryo Transfer Acupuncture: The Details:
If you are planning your trip to Knoxville for an upcoming transfer, here’s the process you can expect:
Tentative Transfer Date/Timeline: Call 865-315-3845 or email (info@tennesseereproductiveacupuncture.com) as soon as you get an idea of when your transfer will likely be. Some clinics will give you a date, others give a window of a few days. If you’re doing a fresh transfer, and information about the day your cycle starts, anticipated retrieval time, and/or transfer timing (3 or 5 day embryos) is helpful.
TNCRA’s Transfer Calendar: Once you have a timeline, we’ll put you down on our transfer calendar. From there, we’ll let you know if there are any anticipated scheduling issues. Most often, we are able to see our out-of-town couples immediately before and after transfer. In the rare case we have a conflict, we have a sister clinic where most of our providers are trained in our method of fertility acupuncture about 25 minutes away as a back-up. We can also coordinate with another local acupuncture clinic to make sure you get the care you need.
Letting us know as soon as you have a rough idea of your timing can help us work around your transfer date.
Transfer Day and Time: When the clinic gives you your transfer time, or you know whether you’ll be a 3 or 5 day transfer, let us know! From there, we’ll schedule your appointments so you have plenty of time to take any medications you might need prior to the transfer as well as get to the clinic on time. We can be flexible here, our goal is to see you within 24 hours before and after transfer, so if you’d like to add in lunch before or after transfer we’re happy to accommodate.
Transfer Day: The day has finally arrived! We know you are likely fresh off a long drive or plane ride and sleeping in an unfamiliar bed, so this part is easy. Each treatment is 45-60 minutes long and you’ll be in a warm (or cool) private room with a calming fertility-friendly atmosphere (IE: no baby pictures on the wall and an infertility informed provider) and we’ll discuss your symptoms, history, answer questions, and do a full acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture: The needling procedure itself is most often painless. Occasionally a small pinch will be felt, but any sensation after insertion should be uncomfortable. Warmth, heaviness, or dull pressure is sometimes felt. Your provider will ensure you are comfortable. We follow strict clean needle guidelines.
Post-treatment Expectations: You’ll feel relaxed, calm, and prepared for the transfer.
Time Management: We will confirm your transfer and/or medication time prior to getting started and make sure you stay on schedule. We don’t want you to worry about the time while you’re on the table.
Spouses or Partners: We welcome partners or spouses in the waiting room or treatment room based on your preference. Sometimes they will leave and grab a coffee and come back.
Post Transfer: Usually we’ll have you just head back to the clinic when you’re finished with transfer. If your provider had you take Valium or anything else to help you relax, please bring someone to drive you. Acupuncture is not contraindicated with those medications and we’re used to working with patients on these medications.
Last Minute Changes/Transfers: Sometimes things change last minute or a retrieval cycle turns into a fresh transfer unexpectedly, or you just found out about our clinic. We get it! Just let us know as soon as you can and we’ll do everything in our power to accommodate you. More often than not, we are able to accommodate last minute requests!
And, of course, if you have any questions, concerns, etc please let us know! We’re happy to help and do what we can to make sure your transfer day goes as well as possible! We wish you the best of luck!