First IUI failed not reverting to trying naturally with Acupuncture

[nancy77]

I have just had AF appearing after first IUI treatment.
Even though I had every symptoms in the book (or online) there are in the past 2 ww. Hot flashes at night, nausea, headache, tingly nipples, breasts feeling full etc ... When AF started I had the worst kind of cramp I've ever experienced. I've also read that this is due to IUI. Last month has been a stressful month for me as threatened with redundancy at work (was ok in the end, phew), had to go on a 3 days course with an exam at the end for work, attending endless appointments for IUI, feeing stressed/guilty about missing work for appointments + had to inject myself for the first time ever without dh as he was away on a stag do.... I'm not surprised first IUIs have a particular low success rates. I think all these factors can contribute to more stress on top of everything else in our busy lives!
I am no looking in to having some acupuncture sessions before embarking on another IUI, I think it may just help me to relax and possibly hopefully will lead to a natural conception. Also, it's Christmas soon so could do with not throwing another £1000 as we are funding privately. I am 37 and been ttc for 1 year and 3 months. Always thought acupuncture was a tad silly way to conceive .. however, after reading so much success stories online, now I'm convinced!
I am not sure if I should just do the acupuncture or combine it with another iui... Has either worked for anyone?

[Cantbelieveimdoingthisagain]

Hi nancy,

So sorry to hear about your failed IUI. I too have high stress levels and I am on CD54 with no ovulation. I started acupuncture this week as I am desperate to kickstart some kind of activity down there. I would even take an AF now just so that I am not stuck in limbo.

So 1 session into acupuncture, I can't tell you if this works or not yet, but what I can tell you is thatin that 45 minutes, I have never felt so peaceful. I forgot I was in the room and not even sure if I was still awake towards the end. I was completely relaxed and was for the next 24/36 hours. It was lovely. I am also going to do a course of Chinese herbs that he is preparing for me this week.

The one thing that I didn't consider when choosing an acupuncturist was his expertise areas, I just thought acupuncture was an expertise in itself. Most importantly I am VERY comfortable with the practioner so I think this holds great value too.

Please let me know if you decide to go ahead and how you get on! Lots of luck

[nancy77]

Hi cantbelieve
Thank you for taking the time to talk to me.
You sounds like you met the practitioner of your life! Lucky you.
I had a chat with dh tonight and we just can't decide what to do as the next step. I will call the clinic tomorrow and set up a follow up consultation for the failed IUI. Not sure what they can offer me other than to say do I want more IUI or move over to IVF. This is another dilemma. We are seriously considering IVF rather than doing another IUI as it has a much higher success rate. In any case I will definitely give acupuncture a go..! Do you live in London by any chance? If so can you recommend a good practice.. I did have a read through other threads on acupuncturists in London, so have emailed a few places already but would be handy to know more.
I just wish someone could have told us that conceiving can be quite so hard, like when we got married 3 years ago.. was silly of us to not have started ttc then. I will update with how my first experience of acupuncture went!
I'm very much looking forward to it actually!

[Cantbelieveimdoingthisagain]

I'm not in London sorry, near cardiff but if you post a thread asking for London practioners you will definitely be advised!

I considered IVF as both DH & I have fertility issues. However, we have been treating his and have recently seen a huge improvement. Took my eye off the ball with mine so concentrating on getting myself sorted now hence the acupuncture.

At first, I thought yes IVF, whatever it takes - we would have needed ICSI. Since we have made improvements to DHs spermies health, I think that we should do everything we can first of all before taking drastic measures. I like to think that I am quite open minded but I had always been very cynical about acupuncture and TCM but at the end of the day - it could mean that I can conceive naturally and regulate my cycle.. Let alone dave us £6k!

Tell me about it!! I was brought up to think that if I so much as saw a willy, I'd be pregnant... Not so!!

Yes, good luck with appt and let me know how you get on.

Lots of luck