Q from IF: Success with acupuncture?

Carolina Blue Skies · February 2013

I have had three FETs so far, and the first two I got PG, but ended in c/p & m/c. The third was an outright BFN.

We have always transferred one, and this time we are planning to transfer two. I have started considering acupuncture. It is obviously an additional cost (and I am OOP w/ my RE), but I am curious if anyone has NOT done accupuncture and then DONE it & got PG?

Any info/thoughts are appreciated!

SweetyPy17 · February 2013

First, I'm sorry. I know how hard a loss can be, and to go through multiple is devasting. Have you had any testing done on the losses to figure out what's going on?

I didn't do accup with my 1st IVF. It resulted in a BFN. I went through 2 months of accu for my FET and ended up with my DD.

Move on to round #2. IVF's #1, and 2 no accu. You can see my siggy for details. IVF #3, I did a fertility cleanse, started CoQ10, magnesium, and DHEA. I worked out 3-4 x week which included one day of Yoga. Also went through 2 months of accu and ate a little more healthy. Best cylce we ever had. So, I don't know if it was all the stuff, or finding the best protocol, or what. But I do believe it was letting my body heal, and finding a good place to be, which yoga and accu did for me. I'm now 12 almost 13 weeks KU.

HTH

new+tothis · February 2013

I'm so sorry for your losses. I know how hard it can be and that you question yourself but I don't think acupuncture could have prevented your losses if that's what you're asking. Losses suck and they hurt but it isn't anything we do or don't do to cause them.

I've only done one round of IVF but it was successful. I did it at CCRM. They highly encourage but don't force or pressure you to do it. Honestly, I wasn't a fan. I've only ever had acupuncture done on my knee and this was very different - mostly I was uncomfortable with the needles being in my ears. It just weirded me out a little. BUT I do feel like it helped. Both blasts implanted. I miscarried one but the other is hanging on.

I will do acupuncture for our next transfer as well. It was a little under $250. I got it done before and after my transfer. I figure I spent $30,000 trying to have a baby. An extra $250 wasn't that much in the grand scheme of things.

Ruthie04 · February 2013

I had been doing regular acu for about four months when I did my first complete IVF cycle. I found that it really helped with stress and menstrual cramps. Due to the timing of my cycle, I couldn't do pre/post transfer acu with that cycle. I had SEVERE cramping with my transfer (I couldn't stand straight and almost passed out on the way home), which I believe may have impacted things. The second time, I did pre/post transfer acu (German protocol) at my clinic. It was AWESOME. I was so relaxed going into my transfer. I really think it may have helped with the cramping, as I had none the second time around. My first cycle failed with a "perfect" blast and my second one succeeded with two "ugly" blasts. I think the combo of acupuncture, assisted hatching, and a change in progesterone was the right combo for me. Hope that helps! GL!

SVS77 · February 2013

I had my first IVF last summer and wanted to do acupuncture, but never found the time with traveling to and from my RE 1.5 hrs... It was a BFN. The second was a FET about a month ago. This time I saw a specialty acupuncturist that focuses on infertility. I also did daily meditation Bellaruth Naperstack sp?? on iTunes. I got a BFP and my 7 week US is tomorrow: I really believe that the acupuncture helped...if anything it helps you keep your stress hormones down, which is so important for a successful pregnancy. It is so stressful no matter what you do, but you are already spending so much ... It's just a bit more. I'm so sorry you've had trouble and loss. Sending baby dust your way!! Hugs

KatieKT · February 2013

I had a great experience with acupuncture. My one and only cycle that resulted in a healthy pregnancy and my son was the one that I went to acupuncture.

It is definitely expensive but I found that since it is tax deductible, we were able to write it off with all of the other medical costs that year so it was kind of like, "what's one more bill!" for us

I swear by it both for the outcome that I had and for the forced relaxation it provided during the pregnancy. I found it to be reassuring every time I went and heard that my "pulses were strong" as my practictioner would say. I went several times before getting my positive test and once a week from that point on until about 28 weeks.

I have known people that have tried it and still suffered a loss who then blamed the acupuncture in some ways for the loss. It's probably a good idea to ask yourself if that would be the case before trying but otherwise I'd recommend it to anyone.

tombomb84 · February 2013

I didn't do acupuncture for my first 4 IUIs and then did it for the 5th which resulted in my twins. It would be impossible to say that my success had anything at all to do with the acupuncture though...I think it is because I switched to bravelle from clomid and had a better lining and more follies, but it could have helped. Who knows?

boxtonmom1014 · February 2013

One of my friends (who I met on TB but no longer posts) did IVF and ended up with OHSS. After a failed FET, they decided they just couldn't deal with IVF again. She AND her husband started going to acupuncture with a woman who specialized in IF and she got pregnant. When their son was 1 year, they decided to start up again. Within two months she was pregnant.

Now, obviously this story wouldn't be the case for everyone (due to our issues it wouldn't happen with my DH and I) but it is an amazing success story!

I go to acupuncture myself because of the benefits I get in regards to my IVF side effects. I always physically feel so much better during cycles when I'm having acupuncture.

Carolina Blue Skies · February 2013

Thank you all for your feedback. I am going to try it out for this upcoming FET - hope it works!!

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