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AIBU?

To be irritated by acupuncturist telling me miscarriages are due to breastfeeding?

50 replies

Pinkandwhite · 13/11/2016 21:12

I breastfed my daughter for 2 years before stopping very recently. I have had 2 miscarriages in the past 5 months. When I went to see an acupuncturist about this, he blamed the losses on the fact that I breastfed for so long. I feel irritated by this because I can't find any evidence that this could be the case. Does anyone know if extended breastfeeding can lead to major nutritional deficiencies and would you be annoyed at being told this? Thanks in advance for any replies.

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lozengeoflove · 13/11/2016 21:13

Errrr say what now? Sounds like he was talking out of his arse.

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PoldarksBreeches · 13/11/2016 21:14

He's an acupuncturist. Do acupuncturists have medical qualifications?!

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Belleende · 13/11/2016 21:14

And you let this person stick needles in you? I think you should complain loudly to his practice and professional body

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Chippednailvarnishing · 13/11/2016 21:15

2 years isn't extended breastfeeding in my book.

He sounds full of it.

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Cosmicglitterghoul · 13/11/2016 21:16

It's absolute bollocks.

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sofatrainer · 13/11/2016 21:18

Whilst it was rather a stupid thing to say it's possible that as you were breastfeeding your hormone levels, particularly your progesterone may not have been at optimal levels to sustain a pregnancy. Stopping feeding should give your body a chance to get the levels back to normal. I'm sorry about your miscarriages, I've been there.

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StarCrossdSkys · 13/11/2016 21:18

Alternative therapists say all sorts of things for which there is no evidence. People go because they offer some answers where there have previously been none.

If it helps you, great. If it doesn't then find another therapist or stick to conventional medicine.

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QueenArseClangers · 13/11/2016 21:19

He's talking absolute shite.
So sorry for your losses Flowers
I've breastfed through 2 of my pregnancies and tandem fed two children too.
As stated up thread: 2 years isn't really extended bfing.
What an arsehole he is to cause you so much worry.

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Mouikey · 13/11/2016 21:19

Wow - that would explain the 2 miscarriages I had before getting pregnant with my first then!!! Hmm

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DecaffCoffeeAndRollupsPlease · 13/11/2016 21:20

Agree-total bollox.

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TheProblemOfSusan · 13/11/2016 21:21

He should absolutely NOT be giving out medical advice. Completely talking out of his arse.

I know the peer-reviewed evidence for the efficacy of acupuncture is mixed so I'm not saying it's not something that might work for you, BUT...

A lot of complementary therapy practitioners, regardless of whether their actual thing is reasonable or not, are full of woo bullshit and are stringing together half-baked theories and parading around as medical advice. It's not, it's bollocks, and it shouldn't be encouraged. If he works for a company, complain, and review him on a suitable site (I dunno, Treatwell or something).

What an incredibly hurtful and arse-filled thing to say to you. You didn't do ANYTHING to encourage miscarriages, they were absolutely not your fault.

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Pinkandwhite · 13/11/2016 21:23

He also talked about how I had 'failed' with the pregnancies. I'm feeling pretty upset by the whole thing.

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Trifleorbust · 13/11/2016 21:27

Absolutely bizarre behaviour. Why is he even commenting on these issues? Complain and get someone else.

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BoredOfBrexit · 13/11/2016 21:28

Sofa trainer is correct. Historically women have relied on breadt feeding to prevent pregnancy. Not a terribly reliable method but does suppress certain hormones. Think though that your alternative practitioner needs some diplomacy and sensitivity training.

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Rrross1ges · 13/11/2016 21:29

He shouldn't be practicing. Please complain. One of my friends trains acupuncturists and would squash this guy like a bug.

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TallulahTheTiger · 13/11/2016 21:34

Fucking arsehole how dare he- am actually hissing with rage to extent DH has asked what's wrong (he agrees) please complain to the practice/any professional body he is with. Ducking twat!!

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Velvetdarkness · 13/11/2016 21:34

There's no link between breastfeeding and miscarriages.
Make a complaint about him. That's dreadful.

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TallulahTheTiger · 13/11/2016 21:35

fucking stabby rage fingers cant type.

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TallulahTheTiger · 13/11/2016 21:39

So am guessing the 3 women in my family who got pregant while bf- DSis and cousins x2 are anomalies then? OP incandescent with rage on your behalf and anyone else this dick dispenses advice to!

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TallulahTheTiger · 13/11/2016 21:41
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ThinkOfTheMice · 13/11/2016 21:44

He's an acupuncturist. Thus a quack.

Stop seeing him, complain to his 'professional' body.

Very sorry for your losses. Most are alas just chance - a roll of the genetic dice that hasn't quite worked. Most people who have a couple of miscarriages go on to have healthy babies and the fact you have dd is in your favour. After three, the nhs will investigate. Nothing you did or didn't do.

Good luck. Complain then put this idiot out of your mind and concentrate on healing.

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ghostyslovesheets · 13/11/2016 21:46

he has ZERO medical training or specific knowledge on MC's - tell him to get to fuck - bloody quacks

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dybil · 13/11/2016 21:46

You were going to an alternative medicine practitioner, don't expect scientific advice.

Reasonable to be upset by it, of course.

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Awwlookatmybabyspider · 13/11/2016 21:59

He/she is a fucking idiot. That's all I can say.
Women can't win. The professionals try to persuade force you into breastfeeding talking about the benefits ect, and then you have lunartics making up crack pot remarks like that. A miscarriage is tortuous and guilt consuming enough with an idiot saying Its something you did. Angry X 1000,000

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TheClacksAreDown · 13/11/2016 22:07

Failed HmmAngry

What a twat of the highest order. In any event I understand that the biggest reason for miscarriages is chromosomal abnormalities where breastfeeding is neither here nor there.

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