Acupuncture

[mizzy247]

Hello ladies,

Would like to know if anyone has tried acupuncture with success. I posted in jan/feb thread no one has done it so far. I could really use some advise and help with finding the right clinic for this. My RE stated I didn't have enough blood flow to my ovaries. However I believe it was from the tubal she performed on me.

[DillysGirl]

I definitely believe that acupuncture is helpful in dealing with infertility, but still does not make this crazy process we go through 100%. I started acupuncture weekly when we found out we had to do IVF. On my first fresh cycle I did acupunture before and after the ET, as is recomended, but that cycle was a BFN. My next cycle(FET) I continued weekly acupunture but did not do before and after and I got a BFP. I dont think that outcomes of either really were because of acupunture but I do believe acupuncture helped me through the process especially with my stress level. I continue to go to acupunture as part of my prenatal care and believe it has worked wonders for morning sickness, sleep and energy.

Not sure if this helps, but it's all I know

Good luck and many blessing to you!

[Catharine]

Hi DillysGirl-
I have done acu with all my ivf cycyles, I just completed cycle 4 and am in the 2ww stage. 2 of the first 3 cycles I got BFP, regretablly one resulted in mc, but the other gave me my beautiful DD. I went to a chinese doctor and herbalist. He came highly recommended by the clinic and other patients. I know this sounds contrary but it was very relaxing. Not only would I fall asleep during each tmt session, I would be so relaxed that I'd take another nap once home. So for me it really fullfilled a few goals: destressing and increasing the blood flow to the reproductive organs. The one catch to the tmt was that you need to start a few months before your ivf cycle. I like to think of it as training your body. Your body has to get use to the increased circulation to the reporductive areas, build up to the optimal point. My DH also went in for tmt for the doc treats the couples as a unit, not just the female. This is to ensure maximum success on all fronts. Of course there are exceptions to this rule. Additionally, he may prescribe some chinese herbs to aid in the tmt. But if you are uncomfortable with this, ask your RE. This doc not only treats infertility but a whole host of various health issues. We have used him for sinus issues as well as sports injuries. That is how much confidence we have in him and the tmt. It may all be psychological, but if we feel it works then we are okay with the tmt cost, which pales in comparison to a visit to a spa for a swedish massage.

I wish you luck.
Catharine

[hjw]

mizzy, I'm a big believer in acupuncture. Not only does it help egg quality and blood flow to the uterus but in addition, it has improved my digestion, made me more relaxed and generally improved my energy as well. When I was having IUI treatments in 2008, I had a scan one day which showed that my follies weren't growing well, I had acupuncture the same afternoon and my lovely acupuncture lady did specific points to help the follies grow, and the following day they had put on a growth spurt and caught up! From that moment on, I was a complete convert.

I did my first fresh IVF cycle in April 2009, BFN. We just did a second fresh cycle in December and on New Years Day I found out I am pregnant! I've read studies which suggest that acupuncture can improve your changes of success, and I put my BFP at least partly down to the acupuncture. My DH also had acupuncture in the month before ER for both cycles - from having previously been told that we would need ICSI because of sperm quality issues, we got a really good fertilisation rate on both cycles with IVF alone. I put that down almost wholly to the acupuncture (helped by an improved diet, giving up alcohol and vitamins in the run up to both cycles).

If nothing else, acupuncture relaxes you, which can only be a good thing in this crazy process!

Hope this helps.

[myc]

i had been doing acupuncture for 4 months before my 1st IVF cycle. I did twice a week and i really liked it. I just got my beta test done and it is positive. So i am a big believer. good luck!

[Ghost]

There is not yet convincing evidence (from properly designed studies) that acupuncture improves IVF outcome. Like pineapple, if you feel better having it, then go for it. But please don't fall for any claims of significantly improved outcome.

That's my opinion.

[susan04]

I have heard that acupuncture is really good for fertility. I have read quite a few success stories on it. Maybe some more will share their insight on this.

[sarita28]

I am currently in my first cycle of IVF, and my third session of acupuncture. I have a friend from South Korea who goes to an acupunturist for gastrointestinal problems, and she suggested that I look beyond "Western medicine" to try and conceive. So, I did some research and found a few articles that boast better fertility rates when IVF is pared with acupuncture.

My acupuncturist actually specializes in fertility issues, so I figured she was a good one to go with. Needless to say, I've put my faith in it (and getting a one hour massage once a week as well.) I see her every other week, and then next week I will see her within 24-48 hours of my retrieval, and then I will see her 1/2 hr before and after my implantation.

[jmt]

I am new here but i did 7 sessions of acupuncture, and it did help the egg quality on my 3rd IVF.It got quite expensive, butI did all I could. I say do it, if anything it helps you relax...Because we are all very stressed during treatments etc.