Acupuncture to help get pregnant

[2007Millie]

Just that really. Has anyone had acupuncture to help conceive/for infertility? Any advice/experience? Thanks

[physicskate]

Yes. I think I found my lady on the zeta west website? Highly recommend. Went daily for my (short protocol) ivf cycle. It was an nhs cycle, so I figured I'd splurge on the acupuncture. I went for 6 weeks before the cycle too, but once a week.

Worth every penny.

[Maestro7]

I did acupuncture for 6 months leading up to my first ivf cycle while trying naturally and no joy. Also did it during my first ivf and it was an unmitigated disaster of a cycle so I have stopped doing it since and instead been treating myself to a spa day every month on my own or with a friend (obviously pre lockdown). I guess if you find it super relaxing you could do it for that benefit but I didn’t see any benefits for fertility personally and this was with a highly recommended and accredited therapist who specialised in fertility.

[ivfgottostaypositive]

I've done it - out of 3 blastocyst transfers 2 were BFN and one was BFP (but ended in ectopic)

Obviously with the current restrictions I doubt I'll have any for the next remaster hopefully in 3 weeks or so

I did want to try fertility reflexology though this time.....

[Iwouldbecomplex]

I did it once a week for about 18 months and during that time had 3 ivf cycles. I also had extra sessions during stims and on the day of transfer. No success and a lot of money spent. I really liked the bit at the beginning of sessions where we have a proper talk about how I'm doing physically and emotionally - it was like therapy. I think I would have benefitted more from paying for counselling to reduce my stress levels to be honest. I also really struggled with the sessions during ivf because it felt like another thing just being 'done' to me. More needles, more prodding. I actually cried throughout the whole session a couple of times, much to my poor acupuncturists dismay. So it wasn't of benefit to me and just added to the financial burden for us. There are success stories though. Sorry to not have a more positive review.

[user1500241218]

I would highly recommend acupuncture before and during IVF. After a failed cycle 2 years ago my anxiety was horrendous. The acupuncture has changed my life and really helped my anxiety and got me to a point where we could have a frozen transfer at the end of last year feeling more positive. I had acupuncture leading up to the treatment and then several times during the transfer time. I am now 31 weeks pregnant and feel that without the acupuncture l wouldn't be at this point. I will be forever grateful to my acupuncturist she is amazing! Unfortunately l am obviously not able to have the treatment at the minute and am really missing it!! Wishing you lots of luck x

[JeNeBaguetteRien]

I had acupuncture for about 10 months before first IVF, in an attempt to help with spotting before periods and help fertility. I think it was weekly for about 6 weeks then every 3 or 4 weeks. DH had some sessions at the start too. Then more targeted sessions in the lead up to IVF but the cycle got cancelled due to poor response to stims.
I didn't go back to that acupuncturist but went to a different one shortly afterwards and had 2 sessions on transfer day, before and after the procedure.
The IVF didn't work out.

I feel much like @Iwouldbecomplex it was a lot of money for no tangible benefit. I didn't find it relaxing apart from one particular session with the second acupuncturist where I felt a lot of tension leave me. But mostly it was a faff fitting in appointments around work.

I had acupuncture many years ago for something else so reasonably open to it as an option but didn't use it again for any further IVF.
I think there are too many variables for anyone to be confident that it "works" or was the thing that made a difference on any particular cycle but it made me feel like I was doing something.
The NICE guidelines are for 3 cycles of IVF on the NHS because it's not expected to work every time. If you don't have acupuncture for one cycle and do have it next time and it works, is it the acupuncture, or the fact that your clinic learned from previous treatment and tweaked your meds, or your ubiquinol, or the fact that you ate pineapple core or drank beetroot juice or just luck because it's a numbers game.

[2007Millie]

Thanks everyone for your really balanced views. It's so helpful to get both sides.

I think maybe I'll give it a few try's but with a very open mind and no feeling it'll be some magical cure

[Chicasimona]

I would like to share my experience with acupuncture. Although after having acupuncture treatments for 10 months still not pregnant I do admire the Traditional Chinese medicine.

I can see many benefits such as my skin cleared up, my hair is better, digestion etc. I found this amazing book by Randine Lewis: infertility cure and now I'm learning self acupressure. This books gave me a good explanation why I haven't conceived yet and gives advice on points, diets, habits etc.

I would strongly advise you to read this book if you are having or considering acupuncture treatments. There is a whole science behind it and makes it exciting to understand how your body works.

Good luck ladies, hopefully we will have our miracle soon