Accupuncture

[MrsChambers]

OK ladies, probably been done a million times before but I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas on accupuncture for LTTTC?

I have just realised a health plan my company pays for for me allow me to have up to £500 of alternative therapy (accupuncture, homeopathy, physiotherapy, chiropracy) in a benefit year. They are thinking of adding reflexology soon but for the minute there is only accupuncture that would benefit me just wanted opinions etc? x

 

[MariaF]

I just had my 2nd acupuncture session last night. I LOVE IT!

The needles themselves are for about 20 minutes - the rest of the time she talks to you and also helps you relax on the couch.

I honestly go into a trance-like state - it's amazing! Your legs and arms feel like cottonwool!
I also feel these sharp pains all over my lower belly and the lady tells me it means things are happening and all the right nerves are being stimulated.

Give it a try - Im sure you'll love it!

 

[Hope4amiracle]

I second that. I have now had 4 sessions and I am becoming addicted to it. My view is that even if it doesn't help me to conceive it makes me feel really relaxed and positive after each session.

I strongly recommend that you read a book by Emma Cannon called The Baby Making Bible. She is an acupuncturist and uses chinese medicine, but combines it with any treatment you may receive using western medicine (e.g. Chlomid, IVF etc). I read the book and it really inspired me when normally I am very cynical about these sorts of things.

Since reading the book I have been seeing an acupuncturist at Emma Cannon's practice. Each session we talk through where I am in my cycle and how I am feeling and she will tailor the treatment in accordance to where you are (e.g. if you are menstruating she will get the blood moving, if you are ovulating she will get the egg moving etc). I can actually feel things happening in my lower abdomen during each session which I am told is positive and the treatment is working.

 

[Springflower]

I had accupunture for my last IVF cycle. I have to admit it did nothing for me, I didn't find it relaxing and felt quite stressed by the needles. I tried it because I know some women swear by it. I also did quite a bit of googling and discovered the research seemed inconclusive. For every bit of postive research there was another saying it didn't benefit.

I would say definately try it, anything worth a shot! It may really work for you. For my next IVF attempt I'm going to spend my money on facials instead, I had one recently and loved it. It was so relaxing!

Ohhh if you are allowed to spend up to £500, for sure give it a go - if it's free thats excellant!

 

[peartree]

Both DH and I had acupuncture before our cycles. I believe it helped, as before my ICSI, I had quite irregular periods and they seemed to regularise after about 3 months of treatment. Must have been doing something.

On the day of egg collection, I had a session beforehand. Then, on embie transfer day, one before and one after embie transfer.

Not sure if it *helped* the ICSI, but it didn't hurt, as I'm now 24 weeks pregnant. If we go for FET, I will definitely follow an acupuncture programme again. If nothing else, they were relaxing, even though I hated needles.

Best of luck with your cycle!

 

[MrsChambers]

Thanks girls! Well I have booked my first appointment today although it is for the 9th September as that was the first time I could get in at the time I can go.

Am looking forward to it even if it just relaxes me x

 

[fitzy79]

Check out this thread - all of ladies on it are using accupuncture and TCM as an aid to TTC:

https://www.babyandbump.com/ttc-groups/232366-really-useful-tcm-thread.html

I would also recommend the following book...The Infertility Cure by Randine Lewis. It's available on amazon and is very insightful while also being easy to read. Great that your insurance covers alternative therapies!

 

[678star-bex]

hello

do u have to have it done weekly or once per month? its £44 per session where i live.

 

[Hope4amiracle]

hello

do u have to have it done weekly or once per month? its £44 per session where i live.

I am having it done weekly at the mo so that I can have treatment at all stages in my cycle for maximum effect. I've had 5 sessions & it's already making a difference (no spotting before af & no pain with my af). After my 7 session the therapist ia going to review progress & next steps.

Mine costs £60 per session but that's London prices for you!

 

[jeanettekaren]

I was unexplained and ttc for over 4 years. I wasn't even halfway through my course of acupuncture before I got my first bfp (ended in early mc) but got preg again two months after.

Maybe coincidence but I'm convinced.

 

[678star-bex]

I am hearing more and more positive things about it. apparently it can 'unlock' psycologial barriers which help to conceive. dont know how it works but after 2 yrs I am willing to be a pin cusion!

 

[Hope4amiracle]

I am hearing more and more positive things about it. apparently it can 'unlock' psycologial barriers which help to conceive. dont know how it works but after 2 yrs I am willing to be a pin cusion!

I definitely recommend it. Even if is not doing anything for my physically, I feel so chilled out and positive after each session. I am becoming addicted to it. Makes me feel all floaty and almost a bit drunk afterwards.

 

[MrsChambers]

I think it can only help me anyway at the moment I am feeling so fed up with everything. I am sick of being in limbo yet again so it is just a shame i have to wait so long for my appointment.

 

[Sickovwaitin]

I've just had my 2nd session, and I agree with the earlier posts. I've forgotten what's it's like to be positive about TTC ing. I feel like I did in the early days before we knew the problems. My libido is through the roof, n opain during last AF, losing weight - it's fantastic!!! Only thing that I can see knocking my confidence is my next appointment with my oh so un helpfull specialist! good luck with your first appointment and remeber if the needles nip a little bit they are working! xxx

 

[IzzyAnt88]

I second that. I have now had 4 sessions and I am becoming addicted to it. My view is that even if it doesn't help me to conceive it makes me feel really relaxed and positive after each session.

I strongly recommend that you read a book by Emma Cannon called The Baby Making Bible. She is an acupuncturist and uses chinese medicine, but combines it with any treatment you may receive using western medicine (e.g. Chlomid, IVF etc). I read the book and it really inspired me when normally I am very cynical about these sorts of things.

Since reading the book I have been seeing an acupuncturist at Emma Cannon's practice. Each session we talk through where I am in my cycle and how I am feeling and she will tailor the treatment in accordance to where you are (e.g. if you are menstruating she will get the blood moving, if you are ovulating she will get the egg moving etc). I can actually feel things happening in my lower abdomen during each session which I am told is positive and the treatment is working.

I've had 2 sessions so far as well and started on the whole "herbs" thing. On my first session I was *REALLY* nervous and she said my energy was very low so she just worked on getting my energy up. I was really crampy & achy for days afterward. I didn't really feel any positive affect. BUT the second session I was much less nervous, and I also got a normal amount of sleep. It's very relaxing, you don't feel the needles, and I felt VERY relaxed all day long. It's a weird feeling - you feel energized and relaxed at the same time. Very happy and peaceful almost like you are floating around through life - lalala. This time she stimulated my ovaries because it was time to ovulate and I could feel my uterus contracting or something while the needles were in. One ovary now has a bruise over it which I have read is a good thing and sometimes done on purpose for one reason or another. It does not hurt. The day after starting the herbs and having that session I had a MASSIVE amount of CM (sorry gross) but I stood up and literally about 1-2 feet of CM came out VERY stretchy not entirely clear though a little bit "lotiony" and that has NEVER, EVER happened to me before. The next day I had a little bit of spotting and some cramping. So I believe that I might have ovulated or at the very least the acupuncture helped my body know what to do even if the egg was not ready to be released just yet. It definitely does *something* and overall it's a happier, more hopeful and empowering infertility treatment than the RE's office. lol.

 

[sarlar]

made my first acupuncture appointment for next week! so so so excited

 

[sarlar]

had my first acupuncture yesterday. am going to be going twice a week this month!! i feel good but dont know if it was from the acu or just a good day! cant wait to see results

 

[MrsChambers]

I havent been able to get in until the 9th September so how was your first appointment Sarlar?

 

[sarlar]

it was good! basically just talked about my history for a bit and then discussed the plan.... he is choosing points in order to increase blood flow to my uterus, which helps build a nicer lining and promote implantation and such. had the needles in my low spine area and upper buttocks, my calves and ankles. after the needles were in they hooked up the electricity and just got to lay there and relax a while!! it will be interesting to see if this does anything!!

 

[Sunshine31]

I've done acupuncture for TTC for about six months. I'm not pregnant so no tangible results but I did like it and it's almost like having counselling too as I chatted to the acupuncturist every week for 45 mins or so which was theraputic.

However... I'm stopping it because I don't think I can justify the cost anymore (although if work is paying then lucky you!). My husband is a scientist and has researched it thoroughly - he says there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever to suggest it helps. Any evidence quoted by practicioners isn't reliable as no proper research studies have been done.