Infertility

My acupuncture experience

I just returned from my first acupuncture experience. I don't want to offend anyone, but I highly think it's just mambo jambo placebo.
Anyway the needles did not hurt (I was expecting them to), they were very thin. They put two needles in my tummy and two on my feet (one in each) and another 2 on my head fo relaxation. The ones in my tummy were connected with the ones in my feet by some sort of thin wires.
The whole process was painless (there was some sort of light tingling feeling) and somehow relaxing, although psychologically I was a little stressed (sort of thinking 'WTF').
I honestly don't want to keep going, although I'll probably go for another 2-3 sessions just so that I don't feel I'm being impulsive. They also tried to talk to me about diet and all that but I told them I already eat what my doctor recommended me.
Will keep you ladies updated.
Did anyone have any positive experience or success with this method?

Re: My acupuncture experience

  • leilee101leilee101 member
    edited September 2018
    The first time I went to acupuncture was during an IVF cycle, and I went to a "community acupuncture place." I thought the whole experience was so silly and I was already dedicating enough time to the process and already had to deal with so many needles that I was like F this and never went back. That fresh cycle failed

    Then in July we had our first FET so I decided to give it another go, at a place for individual acupuncture. I found this experience MUCH more pleasant, the acupuncturist was so knowledgeable and helpful, I ended up going for 4 session (including the night before and after transfer). She also taught me about little things that would help with blood flow and implantation (eating lamb, bone broth, keeping feet warm at all times, not submerging into cold water). I found my sessions so relaxing, I almost went into a trance, and found benefit both during, immediately after and long term as that cycle was a success. Unfortunately ended up MC after 8 weeks. Needless to say, I will absolutely be going back for my next cycle, and also going throughout entire first trimester if we are blessed with another BFP. 
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  • Thanks for sharing! I’ve been interested in acupuncture for a while. I’ll probably try it if I graduate from IUI to IVF.
  • Acupuncture worked well for me throughout IVF and even after when I had some post IVF issues.  I saw 2 women, and preferred the second mostly because she does moxabustion as well.  She doesn’t do a ton of needles but its always seemed to do what it needed to.  I’d recommend trying someone else - go by recommendations if you can get some.
    Pregnancy TickerAbout me: *TW*

    Me: 34, DH: 38                                                                                                                                                                                
    TTC #1 June of 2014  9/14 BFP, baby boy EDD 5/18/15. Elias (Eli) born 5/13/15 7lb0oz, 19 inches.                                      
    Surprise BFP 10/15, live ectopic, lost ruptured tube on 11/5/15 at 8 weeks                                                                              
    Started TTC #2 2/16                                                                                                                                                                   
    HSG 1/18 after no BFPs- diagnosed w/ tubal infertility and referred to RE                                                                     
    3/28/18 remaining tube removed                                                                                                                                              
    IVF 5/18: 15 retrieved, 11 fertilized, 8 blasts -- (3) 4aa, (2) 5aa (2) 4ba frozen -- fresh transfer of 1 day-5 4aa blast, BFP, EDD 2/4/19

  • I’m pretty analytical and evidenced based and couldn’t find the “process” by which acupuncture “works” although lots of seemingly valid studies show there are benefits greater than placebo. 

    Im in my third cycle and have continued to go bc implantation has been successful but haven’t been able to carry to term. My lady says she can tell that my Qi [chi] (energy/blood flow) was weak and has done acupuncture and prescribed herbal tinctures to support blood flow to my uterus. 

    *tw* have had two MCs and the first post Aunt Flos have both been light/short bleeds like my typical 3-4 day period. She said ideally your period is longer and heavier. Well, with more consistent acupuncture as well as the herbal tincture, my most recent period was a full 6 days with more substantive blood. I haven’t had this type of bleed in years (since we’ll before staying BCP). Unless it’s some side effect of the 2nd MC, the only change I can attribute it to is the acupuncture / herbs. My AF after the first MC was short/light for all subsequent cycles. 

    Maybe im becoming a convert. At this point, I’ve committed to going through transfer and will probably continue thorough early PG if I’m fortunate to get a BFP. 

    me: 37 dh: 42; TTC since Jan 2016
    dx: PCOS, low progesterone; 2 MMC
    Sept FET 2018 Spreadsheet
    3 failed IUIs (clomid + ovidrel), unresponsive to femara
    Jan 2 2018 - 1st IVF cycle - 9 retrieved, 7 mature/fertilized, 1 5d transfer + 5 untested snowbabies
    Jan 19 2018 - Fresh Transfer #1 one 5dt; BFP 1/25/2018; EDD 10/7/2018; MMC at 8w3d; D&C 3/6/2018
    May 16 2018 - FET #1 one 5dt; BFP with 4 betas (6.5, 24.3, 165.5, 2250) - EDD 2/1/2019; MMC at 6w; D&C 6/20/18
    Sept 17 2018 - FET #2 one 5dt; BFP 38.9 7dpt, 167 9dpt - EDD 6/5/2019  
    (3 untested embryos remain)


  • Also my understanding is that the benefits accumulate over continued exposure. I don’t think there was much evidence from my earlier treatments but we’re now going on almost 9 months of some treatment at least 2x month. It’s craxy expensive so I can totally understand choose not to go. I’ve defintiely gone back and forth about it.  
    me: 37 dh: 42; TTC since Jan 2016
    dx: PCOS, low progesterone; 2 MMC
    Sept FET 2018 Spreadsheet
    3 failed IUIs (clomid + ovidrel), unresponsive to femara
    Jan 2 2018 - 1st IVF cycle - 9 retrieved, 7 mature/fertilized, 1 5d transfer + 5 untested snowbabies
    Jan 19 2018 - Fresh Transfer #1 one 5dt; BFP 1/25/2018; EDD 10/7/2018; MMC at 8w3d; D&C 3/6/2018
    May 16 2018 - FET #1 one 5dt; BFP with 4 betas (6.5, 24.3, 165.5, 2250) - EDD 2/1/2019; MMC at 6w; D&C 6/20/18
    Sept 17 2018 - FET #2 one 5dt; BFP 38.9 7dpt, 167 9dpt - EDD 6/5/2019  
    (3 untested embryos remain)


  • **Various TW in post**

    My experience...started acupuncture after my first MC where I had a D&C to try and get my hormones back in balance as my cycles were all over the place. She also noted low energy and weak blood flow and after doing this regularly for almost two years I think it’s been really helpful. My periods look much better and normal, I got BFP again (though another MC due to chromosomes likely), the tests from my RE of blood flow to uterus were excellent, my two ER cycles were really good (except again the chromosomes, acupuncture can’t fix that) and overall it helps with stress. I plan on continuing for my tentative FET in November.

    As with anything, I think you have to find the right person, which can be a challenge. They often specialize in certain areas like fertility. If even just to be something that creates calm for you around the chaos of fertility issues, I highly recommend it.
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