Acupuncture

[ruthiej74]

We were going to start our 4th cycle of IVF in August but we have decided that I should try acupuncture before we try again. This is my last egg retrieval that is covered by my insurance company so if we don't get enough embryos left over to freeze this is the last one for us. We just can't afford to pay for it all ourselves. I called my insurance company and supposedly the acupuncture is covered if my primary care doctor refers me somewhere. So we are now waiting to see if insurance approves the referral from my doctor. I just feel like acupuncture could really give us a better chance at this. It may be my last shot so why not try and do all I can to give myself the best chance. Is there anyone out there who has had success with the acupuncture? Did your insurance cover any of it? Did you have to pay first and then get reimbursed?

[wolffie]

ruthie - I LOVE acupuncture! I started it during my first IVF cycle. I did get a BFP! I don't want to attribute it to the acupuncture but as my RE said, "if it can't hurt it can only help". I found that it relaxed me so much and I felt that I was taking control of my cycle and doing all that I could do. I did go to an acupuncturist who specializes in fertility acupuncture. I would only recommend going to someone who is familiar with fertility issues and all the right acupuncture points. My insurance didn't cover my sessions. I think they would have if I had gone to someone in the network but there weren't any that were familiar with fertility issues. So I decided to pay for it out of pocket. If I remember correctly I went about once a week for 6 weeks or so and then once the day before transfer and once the day of transfer (a few hours later).

Hope that helps, and good luck! I also did yoga for fertility and felt that helped relax me too.

[Liana]

ruthie,

Thank you for starting this thread. I wish I had answers for you, but I'm actually in a similar situation. I'm on my first IVF; because of my age (42) and because I didn't respond well to the stims, I think I will only do 1 more IVF cycle if this doesn't work out. I would also like to do acupuncture in conjunction with it. I have read that there is some research that acupuncture can help. I would also like to hear if other women have tried it.

Thanks!

[Liana]

wolffie,

I just saw your post; thanks for the info! I found at least 1 local acupuncturist who specializes in fertility issues and I will check her out.

[mjay]

i'm about to start my first ivf cycle. i start lupron tomorrow, but i have been doing acupuncture for 2 weeks now. so far it has helped me relax. i feel i am able to sleep more peacefully and wake up without being sooo groggy. i read that it helps with the massive amounts of anxiety we feel, depression, side effects to meds, improves blood flow to uterus, regulates your cycle, etc. i know one woman who had 3 BFNs and tried acupuncture the fourth time and got a BFP! even if it doesn't do all that, it is at least a time that i get to relax and be pampered and not obssess over IVF. i also go to a school that teaches acupuncture and massage therapy so it costs a fraction of what private clinics charge. they have a MD who is also a licensed acupuncturist that specializes in fertility issues- he oversees the fertility acupncture interns.

[Julie nurse]

It was so funny to see this posting because I just came back home from acupuncture!! Unfortunately, my insurance does not pay for this, but I have found that I come home so relaxed and positive, that I feel it must be a good thing. The other ladies are so right about being sure you choose someone specializing in fertility. At certain times of your cycle and implantation, they use differenct pressure points (some are not appropriate for a pregnant woman). For the first part of my cycle we concentrated on building my uterine lining (using lots of back treatments) but now that I was implanted yesterday (please stick, please stick!), she totally switched tactics and today was just about relaxing.

The only other cycle I did acupuncture was last year when i did get pregnant naturally (but mc'd). I can't say if the acupuntcture will help or not. Beware: 1.You will get funny looks when you try to explain to friends and family why you believe in this. 2. You may not find your first session relaxing (I was down right antsy!)

This is our first IVF but we are entirely self-funded, and don't know when we could try again. I feel like you do, why not give yourself every possible opportuntity? Good luck! I hope this time your mommy dreams come true.

[tortillachip]

Hi there,
I have been getting acupuncture and love it. It truly relaxes me and puts me in a positive spirit. Tomorrow is my embryo transfer and my acupuncturist is going with us. She will treat me directly before and after the transfer to help me relax I'm looking forward to it.