Acupuncture

[hotgreentea]

Have any of you tried acupuncture as part of an IVF/FET cycle? My RE didn't really encourage me to try or dissuade me from trying it, but she did tell me some of her patients have tried it and they liked it. I got a card for a local acupuncturist they usually refer the patients to. I'd like to give it a shot. Does insurance pay for it if it is coded as IF? I do believe my insurance does cover at least a fair amount.

We had a textbook IVF cycle, transferred two excellent embryos (have eight chilling right now too), but we got a bfn yesterday. I have no idea why or how.

[brit1612]

I'm sorry to hear about your bfn. We went through 6 cycles, 4 fresh, 2 frozen, before having our miracle little boy. The doctors never tell anyone that it usually takes more than one attempt before having success; but for most of us it does. It is great that you had so many embryos to freeze! FET can sometimes be more successful than IVF's, because they are easier on your body. I have never tried acupuncture out, but there is a book that talks a lot about increasing your chances, you may want to check it out. http://ivfsuccessstories.info/2011/01/t ... am-review/

Good luck to you in the future! It is so hard going through the journey, but once you have your little one it will all be worth it!

[katieb1231]

Hi Sherry - Again I am so sorry! I am HUGE proponent of acupuncture I use it and believe in it. Not only does it relax you but it helps with all things baby making. I am 41 & this last IVF we had wonderful results, 17 eggs total, 14 mature, 10 fertilized & 8 made it to great quality 5 day blasts. I had a BFP this last round but ended up having a MC -- however I have 6 more on ice which are all great & I am planning for my first FET on 3/18. I think with diet changes this made a HUGE difference in my outcome, I really restricted my diet as well(no caffeine, booze, processed foods etc....). I have another friend who did similar things as me & had a great outcome as well. You should definitely try it, the needles are nothing compared to what we stick in ourselves for IVF. I also think if you do a FET it will be much less stressful on your body the amount of medication is less and I am not taking any shots for this cycle just oral & vaginally. I am happy to answer any questions...I think quite a few girls on our board use AP too...hope this helps...Katie

[LYD10]

Hi Sherry - sorry for your BFN. I also got a BFN on my fresh cycle - my E2 was very high and my embryologist thought that might have not been a very good environment for embryos to thrive in. My next FET was succesful! I am a huge proponent of FET cycles if your clinic has good freezing/thawing techniques.

i did accu with my frozen (that worked) but didnt do it with fresh ( that didnt). while this is not enough data to say that accu made THE difference - there is definitely studies that doing accupuncture around your ET increases success rates by 20%. Some clinics liek teh CCRM in colorado which is supposed to be very good are starting to incorporate as part of their protocols even. they have an accu onsite to do it during transfer.

I would say give it a try! we are spending so much money on this, what's another $75? my insurance covers accu but does not cover IVF. so you just have to check with your insurance. maybe dont tell them that's for IVF - some insurances just cover accu. i would recommned to do it once a week for a couple of weeks leading up to the transfer - as your uterus lining is being built up - its good to have your body get accustomed to it and it helps with the lining. And the definitely do it right before ET (within 2 hrs) and right after 9within 2 hrs) . i think right after is better if you have to choose.
i found my accu by calling the fertility clinics in my area and asking who they use/recommend. the same name kept coming up several times, and i went to her, and she is THE IVF accu in our area.

good luck!!!

[LYD10]

If you dont mind me asking how high did your E2 get during your IVF cycle? i wonder if that's the reason our fresh ones didnt work? Mine was over 5000.

[hotgreentea]

My E2 was 3,400 or so. My ovaries took forever to calm back down it seems!

Maybe that is why it did not work. Hopefully, I will be able to try acupuncture for a few weeks. Maybe it will help with my overall mood, too!

[LYD10]

My E2 was 3,400 or so. My ovaries took forever to calm back down it seems!

Maybe that is why it did not work. Hopefully, I will be able to try acupuncture for a few weeks. Maybe it will help with my overall mood, too!

Accu definitely has a calming effect.

My E2 was around 3000 this time, which is a big improvement for me. i am waiting to see if this fresh cycle worked or not. i'll know next thursday. if not i'll be going streight to FET and joining Michelle_CT and maybe you on the April thread

[hotgreentea]

I hope this worked for you! (hugs)

[hjw]

I'm a big acupuncture convert, I have seen it make noticeable physical differences for me (a good example is really growing poorly developing follicles during an IUI cycle far more than the expected 1-2mm a day when scans showed I was having problems growing follies and my IUI was on the verge of getting cancelled) plus it helps with the side effects from the drugs and helps you relax generally if you can do it regularly. I had a session on the day of ET this last cycle and I think it was a big factor in getting my BFP.

BUT...don't go to just anyone, make sure you find someone who specialises in fertility. It makes a big difference in enabling them to tailor treatments to what you need if they deal with IVF all the time.

[hotgreentea]

Thank you all so very much.

[margi26]

Sherry-I mentioned already on the Winter Post, but I am really sold on acupuncture. I find it more relaxing than a massage--which says a lot. I actually fall asleep for part of each session! There is research to suggest (as others have pointed out) that there may be increased pregnancy rates with using acupuncture with your cycle. My new clinic the anesthesiologist is also an acupuncturist! How perfect is that! There is no reason to think anything negative could come from it, so even if the "most" you get is increased relaxation--sounds like a great addition to the often stressful IVF/IUI process.

Best of luck to you!! And, for me, the needles don't hurt. I have one spot on my foot that sometimes does, but if I tell her, she either removes it or repositions it so it doesn't cause any discomfort. Find one that specializes in fertility.

[hotgreentea]

Thank you, Margi. Good luck with your ER/ET.