Acupuncture

[Michelle]

Hi Girls<br>I have just read on a website that Acupuncture can increase the chances of IVF by 50%. They are not sure why, but on a study carried out in Germany this was the finding. As I am willing to try anything at all (and I bloody hate needles!) I want to see what your opinions are on this (I'm sure I've read that some of you are doing acupuncture already) and where I can find a good place to go in central London and what the cost is. <br>Any tips/advice would be great.<br>Thanks very much.<br>Michelle

[Michelle]

Hi - FYI here is the article I read....<br><br>"SCIENTISTS SAID they increased the success rate by nearly 50 percent in women undergoing in vitro fertilization, the procedure commonly known as the “test-tube” baby treatment.<br> The researchers, led by Dr. Wolfgang Paulus and colleagues at the Christian-Lauritzen-Institut in Ulm, Germany, said they do not know why acupuncture works and plan more studies.<br> “Acupuncture seems to be a useful tool for improving pregnancy rate after assisted reproductive techniques,” they wrote in a report published in the journal Fertility and Sterility.<br> “The analysis shows that the pregnancy rate for the acupuncture group is considerably higher than for the control group (42.5 percent versus 26.3 percent),” they wrote.<br> “If these findings are confirmed, they may help us improve the odds for our (in vitro fertilization) patients’ achieving pregnancy,” Dr. Sandra Carson, president-elect of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, which publishes the journal, said in a statement."<br>

[Lucy]

Hi Michelle<br><br>I had to write and tell you that you really must give acupuncture a go.<br>I have been seeing a chinese doctor (Dr Zhai) in Harley Street for a couple of months now following 5 failed IVF treatments. Already I feel more positive and happy about the treatment I am having. I do not intend to have my 6th and final attempt at IVF until Dr Zhai feels that I am ready.<br>I also have a couple of friends that I met on this site and have kept in very good contact with who are also having acupuncture after failed IVF treatments.<br>It does not hurt and it makes you feel much better so I would go for it.<br>With regards to cost mine costs about £150 - £175 every couple of weeks but that is becasue I am having chinese medcine as well. <br>Dr Zhai has been written about in ISSUE regarding her sucsesful treatment of couples with infertility problems.<br>best of luck<br>Lucy

[Michelle]

Hi Lucy<br>Thanks so much for your response. I will definitely try to set-up an appointment with Dr. Zhai for asap. This is my first cycle of IVF and I start the nasal drugs next Wed, 16th Oct. Do you have the telephone no. by any chance? Or pls can you tell me the name of the clinic and I will get the no. from directories.<br>Thanks very much.<br>Michelle x <br>p.s. I will let you know how it goes!

[Michelle]

Hi Lucy<br>No need to reply to my previous posting - I found Dr. Zhaí's details on the web. Anyway I called her office and they said that as I am due to start the Nasal Spray next week that is is too late to gain any benefit for this cycle. If this cycle is unsuccessful I will definitely go see her before the next.<br>Thanks again.<br>Michelle<br><br>

[Goodison]

Hi Lucy and Michelle,ive been trying to find out as much as i can on accupuncture used in tandam with ivf.I was stunned at the difference in costs,its almost 5 times the fee for you both than i will be paying(£30,initiall 1hour consultation,£25 all follow ups)i know things are more expensive in London but surely tour local authoritys have subsidised treatments available?I really hope that you both achieve the results we are all hoping for. Do either of you know any one whos had achieved success with this method?

[Lucy]

Hi<br><br>I understand that my chinese treatment sounds expensive but I have to say that the Dr I am seeing is a fully qualified western doctor as well as a Dr of Chinese medcine. Her clinic is focused on infertility only. She understands the whole IVF process and the pressure your body is put through while having the treatment.<br>I think my costs are more due to my Dr experience in her field and of course the Chinese herbs.<br>I think that compared to IVF the costs for chinese medcine is a little cheaper!<br>All I can say is that I wish I had seen my Dr at the start of my findings on infertility instead of ntering so long.<br><br>Best of luck to all<br>Lucy

[Michelle]

Hi Lucy<br>Thanks for your reply. I phoned Dr. Zhai's office and explained that I start the nasal spray on the 16th October and her advice to me was that there is no point doing acupuncture for this cycle as you need to build up to it. But if my first attempt fails to call her and start asap. I really appreciated her honesty as she could have told me to come in anyway. So hopefully it won't be necessary to see her -but we'll see. <br>Hi Goodison <br>I agree it does sound extremely expensive but looking at her website she has really got some wonderful results and as she specialises in fertility I'm willing to give anything a go.<br>Love<br>Michelle xxxx<br><br>

[Lucy]

Hi Michelle<br><br>I really hope you don't need the services of Dr Zhai, but if you ever do please feel free to email me anytime with questions.<br>I agree she is very honest and but most of all she seems so certain that you will have a baby eventually.<br><br>All the luck<br>Lucy <br>