Ladies That Do Acupuncture w/IVF

katieworek

I just had my first appt last week and thought it was great.  He gave me a nutrition plan, suggested some books and made me feel incredibly relaxed.  At my appt he placed the needles in places that he said will focus on relieving stress.

Do you know if needle placement will change every week?  I will be doing IVF again in March and was wondering how you ladies felt about it during a cycle?  I would love to hear any positives or negatives you experienced as well. 

Mostly, I'm just excited to be trying something new that seems to be making a difference for me emotionally already.

farmerlynda

Needle placement does change depending on where you are in your cycle -- also based on what your "diagnosis" (TCM -- tongue and pulse) is for the day. At certain points of the cycle, they are trying to increase circulation to your uterus; other times, they're flushing the old blood out or just trying to calm and relax you and your uterus (to prevent cramping). 

I'll definitely be doing it during my cycle, which is also in March!  I was going to acupuncture regularly since May, but only went once during the actual IVF cycle.  (Although I also did the pre-and-post ET acupuncture too.)  This time I'm going to try and go weekly.

MandaS08

I went about twice a week before ER (for about 3 weeks) and the points bascially remained the same.  Since I started during the same cycle that I did IVF she was trying to get blood to flow to my ovaries and uterus the whole time, and also calm and relax me.

limpetfan

Feeling like you're making a positive change is awesome, isn't it? 

I've never done acupuncture before, but I'm planning to use laser acupuncture as part of my embryo transfer.  If I could find a good acupuncturist who specializes in fertility in my area, I would have been in favor of using acupuncture during stims, too.  I've read a lot of things that suggest it does help -- which is why I'm doing the laser acupuncture for sure! 

jessican08

I had my first session in November (just to try it and see if I liked it).

I just went back yesterday since my IVF is underway and the needle placement was completely different this time. In fact, this time I laid on my stomach whereas before I was on my back. She also used some electrodes around the needles on 4 areas around my low back to help increase the blood flow to my ovaries and uterus. I was a little freaked at first but it was nothing...just felt like someone tapping on your back.

I'll be going back on Thursday and then again 24 hours before my ET (whenever that is).

I can't say I feel as relaxed as I do when I get a massage, but I do feel more relaxed afterwards and it's also helping keep my morale up (if that makes sense).  

Mitzi Bishi

I think I am one of the few that did herbs and acu with the IVF meds simultaneously. 

Getting acu has been wonderful for me. There are slight changes in my pressure points, but many of them are consistent and I usually just wear looser clothes that she can manipulate. She tends to focus on my arms / hand, feet, lower legs, back, and lower stomach. Occasionally I get one in the top of my head. She's also lit them on fire before.

I've noticed how it's regulated my cycle and overall helps me relax and get a good night's sleep. I hope you enjoy it, too! 

ValentineG

Well after one unsuccessful IVF and one cancelled cycle, we tried accupuncture for this cycle and we finally got a BFP!!!! 

lynn0926

I would suggest starting prior to your IVF cycle. Farmer Lynda explained it well. I started prior to this cycle and once I started stims, I went 4 times while stimming (stimmed 11 days), I went yesterday (trigger day), and I am going Sat day of ET. I have 3 appts booked during the dreaded 2 WW. It makes you feel like you are melting and helps you tolerate the stress a lot better.

Mnerani

My acupuncturist started with a "general detox" in the first two sessions- one detox on the front of the body, and the second on the back. She doesn't want to see me during the first 2 weeks of my cycle, rather she wants to see me several days post IUI (when we get to that) and then throughout the 1st trimester. She was very clear that she wouldn't try to intervene if it looked like my body was miscarrying the baby, since she believes the body does that for a reason. I was thinking "let's just get to the BFP, then we will worry about that!"

Equally helpful is her dietary recommendations. She got super specific and though it's been hard to take all of her recommendations all of the time, I really feel like I got a 2-for-1 deal (accu and nutritionist) with her. Many acupuncturists will give nutritional guidance, so ask for it.