Acupuncture for fertility

[A1b2c3d4e5f6g7]

I've just started acupuncture and am two sessions in. Was wondering if anyone had any experiences on it they could share, and how long its worth continuing it for?

[Frenchie86]

Hi, I am doing acupuncture. I had been trying to 3 years prior and after 2.5 months acu I got pregnant (I did also stop exercising as much which might've helped), so I think it really helped me, I went 3 times a month for different parts of my cycle. I sadly lost my baby at 13 weeks but have started acu again and I'm hopeful

[A1b2c3d4e5f6g7]

@Frenchie86 I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, hope you're okay. That's great you're back at acupuncture, and hopefully it works as quickly for you again this time.

[WetJan]

I started acupuncture half way through a cycle (just after ovulation) and fell pregnant the next month. Had taken two years with only one pregnancy in that time which resulted in an early loss.

[Frenchie86]

Thanks @A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 thank you, it's the toughest thing I've ever had to do (we had to have a surgical termination because little one's heart wasn't developing properly) but I'm hopeful that I did get preggo naturally and that it will happen again. First proper month TTC and a couple days from me period, trying not to go mental hehe.

All in all, definitely recommend, as it at least relaxes you and gives you a bit of down time even if it doesn't work straight away.

@WetJan sorry for your loss!

[A1b2c3d4e5f6g7]

@wetjan that's amazing it worked so quickly for you also! Really pleased for you, that's fab news.

Do you mind if I ask, did you continue with it whilst pregnant? She has said for me to have six sessions currently and, if I fall pregnant, to continue going throughout the first trimester given I've had a natural early miscarriage also.

@Frenchie86 that sounds even worse sorry, having to make the decision and go through the medical procedure 😥

[Frenchie86]

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 Thank you, it was but positive it was the right decision.

Re your other Q, it depends on your circumstances, for me she said I didn't need to come as often but did start seeing me once a week once my symptoms started as I got quite bad nausea so that helped ease it, other than that she said no need really until last trimester where it can help with pains, a more effective birth and getting the baby in the right position

[WetJan]

@Frenchie86 for your loss. You're so right about it being a good way of taking time for yourself, especially when TTC can be so hard.

I had it weekly to start with, then fortnightly after that. Definitely continued into my first trimester but can't remember how long for, sorry (DD is 2 now).

[Frenchie86]

@WetJan thank you so much, and so pleased you have a DD, makes me hopeful x

[WetJan]

Thanks, we're planning to try for DC2 soon and I'm not messing around this time so will be going back to her. It's a lovely relax at the very minimum, even if I don't get pregnant.
Good luck!

[EL8888]

Yes, l got more cervical mucus and ovulation seemed more obvious to me. It never directly helped me get pregnant -we later on found out that my partner has DNA fragmentation issues with his sperm

[Frenchie86]

@WetJan

Thanks, we're planning to try for DC2 soon and I'm not messing around this time so will be going back to her. It's a lovely relax at the very minimum, even if I don't get pregnant.
Good luck!

Good luck to you too!

[A1b2c3d4e5f6g7]

@WetJan that's okay thanks for sharing. Agree with @Frenchie86 it makes me hopeful you had a baby from it. I'll continue going and finish my course.

I have to say though, I don't find it relaxing at all! The surroundings aren't really too nice and relaxing, and last session some of the points were really uncomfortable. But if they're doing something, that's good.

@EL8888 thank you, hope having it diagnosed has meant you've managed to get it treated

[Chanel05]

I had acupuncture and fell pregnant that cycle but it ended in a mmc.

I had it for a few months before my second pregnancy but not the month I fell pregnant.

I don't believe acupuncture helped me to fall pregnant either time, it was through sheer desperation the second time and feeling fed up of ttc the first time. In reality, it only took 8 months to conceive each time and that's perfectly normal.

[A1b2c3d4e5f6g7]

@Chanel05 thanks, it’s good to get both sides - whether it helped or not! Sorry for the mmc

[sabtom]

I've just started acupuncture and I'm also on my second session. I have no idea if it'll work but at this moment I've been ttc for over 2 years and I'm will to give anything a go! However, it's not as relaxing as reflexology lol

[A1b2c3d4e5f6g7]

@sabtom 😂 no it is not! Last time the needles made me feel a bit nauseous also. And any in the bony parts (feet, knees etc) sting. I might just be being a wuss

[A1b2c3d4e5f6g7]

Just wondering if anyone else has had any experience of acupuncture for fertility?

[choccrumpet]

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 I've booked my first appointment for tomorrow, I found someone Zita West trained near me so am going to give him a go.

We spoke over the phone about my cycle, history of chemicals, trying for 9 months, if I feel tired which I do and also about my diet where I said I'm a vegetarian by choice. He mentioned that eating red meat is encouraged especially to those undergoing IVF (we are not) as it helps promote energy levels, the right uterine lining or maybe he said endometrium, I can't remember which one, and was something I may want to consider. I've heard that being a veggie is good for pregnancy but also not. Is this something that other acupuncturists have mentioned to anyone who is a veggie here?

My cycles have been getting longer with late ovulation so he said acupuncture should help with all of that including helping me feel better and with energy levels too so i am looking forward to my first appointment.

[A1b2c3d4e5f6g7]

Hi @choccrumpet I went through my diet (veggie) with mine, and she seemed happy with it. Lots of wholegrains and 7+ portions of fruit and veg a day seemed to be her focus. I started pomegranate juice to promote uterine lining, but I ran out and didn't have a chance to get to the shop near me that sells it, so that's been a bit of a failure this month!

Has anyone else been told to eat or drink / take anything specific by their acupuncturist?

[A1b2c3d4e5f6g7]

That's awesome he thinks he can help with energy and cycle though

[choccrumpet]

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 interesting! When I had my ultrasound the tech said my lining looked good for whenever I was there in my cycle but pomegranate juice wouldn't hurt I'm sure. How much do you drink daily & when? I did try it once but kept forgetting to drink it daily.

We didn't go through my diet in detail so maybe we'll talk about it more in my appointment.

Was anyone else told anything about their diet by their acupuncturist?

[A1b2c3d4e5f6g7]

@choccrumpet Just a half glass a day from just before ovulation for the tww. I actually really like the taste. But it has to be not from concentrate, and so my local shops don't stock it. Waitrose and Tesco def do

[A1b2c3d4e5f6g7]

@choccrumpet tbh at my scan they said all looked okay from a uterus health MOT perspective also, so I’m not sure why I take it 😂 it’s in the Zita West supplements, and was mentioned in a lot of ivf threads where people had more than one scan and compared whether their lining had improved (and in many cases it had) so I thought why not 🤷‍♀️

[choccrumpet]

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 I've read the same and tried it for one cycle and then just didn't keep it up! I like the taste of it too. Looking at the one I got now and it says it is from concentrate so will have to look around for another one. Probably worth trying if not eating meat could be an issue there

[Fkrkrodps]

I had acupuncture for a short luteal phase. I’d only been trying for a few months, but I was worried about the short luteal phase and thought I’d give it a go. I started weekly sessions at the start of my monthly cycle and conceived that month. I’ve no idea whether the acupuncture helped or not with that. I did notice that after a session, around the time of ovulation, I noticed a twinge that I hadn’t felt previously. I continued with acupuncture throughout the first trimester. I don’t know if it helped, but it was a psychological boost.