Acupuncture for fertility

Campow83

With all the negative & odd posts today, I thought I would post something hopeful Yesterday was my 1st day back to acupuncture since my loss in November. I had been seeing her for only 2 months before I found myself pg. Sadly I lost the preg after 8 weeks and she told me to wait for a normal cycle to return. It sucks to be back at square 1 but I'm trying to view it as a new start in the new year. Anyone else use acupuncture to try to help with infertility? I find it amazing that I was trying for 2 years with no success but only 2 months after acupuncture I got a positive hpt. Though I lost it, I'm still trying to find hope Anyone else have hopeful acupuncture stories ?

LaRomana09

I did acupuncture for the first time on my BFP cycle before (after 6 months of trying) but I've also done it a few cycles since then with no success.  I may try it again now that we are in a new calendar year, but honestly I was getting a little bit uncomfortable with my acupuncturist trying to push me to take Chinese herbs and various supplements, and generally second guessing everything my doctors told me.  I have mixed feelings about it now.  Sorry, I guess it's not a really hopeful story, but just my experience.  

LizBlue

I've heard anecdotes of it working, but it never has for me.  It also became too costly to do on a regular basis in addition to all the other IF expenses we have.  I don't think it can hurt, and I've certainly heard of it helping, but when faced with limited resources it was one of the first things to go.

My friend's sister had a failed IVF and then got pregnant right after with acupuncture.  (says she)  The difficulty is that it's hard to say what works when talking about the human body getting pregnant.

Good luck.  I think finding hope again is always a good thing.  

BookishMomma

I do acupuncture and have for years, for a variety of reasons, including insomnia, IBS, anxiety and, now, fertility. I am convinced it more or less cured my IBS. The jury is still out on whether it will/does help my fertility. Obviously I'm getting KU, I just need to stay KU! It does help me relax, though, and I'm a pretty high strung person, so that's saying a lot.

Campow83

I couldn't agree more with all you ladies. First off, acupuncture is so expensive, luckily my insurance gets me 20 free sessions which is so amazingly helpful. If after my 20 I still needed more I might look into out if pocket costs.
She as well offered me all types of Chinese herbs. I declined at that time cause I was on clomid which she wasn't too happy about. But luckily she didn't pressure me into buying any.

BookishMomma

Yeah, I ended up switching acupuncturists because the one I was seeing kept nagging me to get off antidepressants, which is just not going to happen. I ended up finding someone who's a little more modern and flexible in her approach.

My insurance covers half the cost of my sessions.

PinkSands15

I have been looking into it but I need to see what my insurance will cover. When I was doing some reading about it, I read a lot about the idea of a "cold uterus," and that it is recommended to keep your abdomen warm before ovulation. I am not sure if there is any truth to this, but I definitely have been using the hot water bottle. I assume it can't hurt?

Campow83

Yes, I have a cold uterus apparently. That's one of the things she always works on with me is warming me up.

TVLily

I did it for 6 months but I'm taking a break for a month or so as I start with my RE. Partially due to cost, partially feeling burnt out from going every week for so long (although I did get my bfp while going it). It definitely is relaxing though and I'll probably try it again in a bit.

Eta:typo

KC1212

You can tell by my siggy I'm a believer in acupuncture. If nothing else, it's relaxing.

taberbtb

This thread reminded me to call to set up my consult! It is something I had been considering and I thought looking into it now while we are TTA would be a good idea since I won't feel as anxious to start ASAP and can take the time I need after to really consider whether it's something I want to pursue or not. Good luck to you, I hope it helps!

Campow83

meagpt22 said:

I was just thinking about trying it bc amazon local has a deal for $65 for a acupuncture session with body work session. The deal expires end of month so have til then to make my decision.

Really? Is it acupuncture specialized for infertility? That's be so awesome

Danielle0311

I had been seeing an acupuncturist for a few months for my sinus's. in August I mentioned to him that we were ttc with no luck for 7 months and he suggested to let him work on that as well.. So of course I said sure what the hell can't hurt.. Well after two acu fertility treatments that's when we got our first bfp. I did lose that baby in November but ill always wonder if that is how I got my bfp! If anything else it's a stress reducer

tumbleweed123

I was off BC for 20 cycles before I finally got pg. this last time.  There were three things that were different the month I got the bfp.  1) started acupuncture for a sports injury in my lower back and psoas (did about four or five sessions).  2) DH stopped drinking stevia sweetened drinks three months earlier (no idea if this matters but since i've read it takes three months for the quality to go up after changes...maybe this matters?) 3) I inserted my diaphragm after BD, in the hopes that the swimmers would get a boost by being held closer to my cervix. 

Honestly, I have no idea what of that worked, and I ended up miscarrying anyway...but considering how many cycles it took to even get pg...it's hard for me to totally discount the acupuncture.  I discussed this with my RE and she agrees that acupuncture helps with relaxation and she feels that that can only help.  I still don't know what to think, but the acupuncture did help my sports injury (which has returned) so I'm starting it again.  My insurance gives me free, unlimited acupuncture with their provider.  I feel extremely lucky that that is the case.  

KStephens514

I have a friend that did accupuncture along with some other herbal remedies and she was able to get pregnant after trying for a year and no results. She wasnt for sure thatvwas it but after she started the acupuncture she got her bfp 2 cycles after. If nothing else it would help with all the stress. I have been thinking of trying it.