Acupuncture for fertility

@Idieh05 its not a service mine offers, but I have heard its a great compliment to acupuncture so it sounds like youre to a good thing 😊 fingers crossed you feel some benefits. How did you find the session? X

I’ve just had my first fertility-focused acupuncture session after TTC for 20 months. I also have very regular cycles, normal period, no PMS, blood tests show that I’m ovulating and male factor has been given the all clear. My acupuncturist seems to think my blood flow may be slightly off as she was feeling around my stomach, monitoring my pulse and put the needles predominantly in my toes and legs. She also recommended I start taking some Chinese herbs (Tao Hong Si Wu Wan). Just wondering if anyone else has been prescribed/taking any Chinese herbs?

Thanks Angie, he immediately referred me for the the ultrasound and AMH (still pending any info, am calling the admin team on Mon as I'm still pending consent forms too). I've read all the info that says FSH isn't reliable and the other two are much better so there is hope! I've had random second half of cycle spotting too and had an ultrasound for that at the start of the year, no fibroids or any cause 🙄 but the acupuncture has (so far, cycle 1 lol) stopped that, currently 5dpo and it would normally have appeared by now).

Ive only ever had the heat lamp over my feet to keep them warm! X

@Angie887 I've had the heat lamp used on me once but I'm sure it was earlier in my cycle and before ovulation. I don't know if it's safe to use after ovulation. I don't even know who you could ask unless you can contact another acupuncturist! I would tend to trust my acupuncturist but not sure what kind of relationship you've got with yours, if you've been seeing them for a while. Sorry that's not helpful

Today I've been to an acupuncture session and she put a heat lamp over my belly. I read somewhere that heat can interfere with implantation on case of conception. I'm 8 dpo today and I found that a bit concerning but my acupuncturist reassured me it was fine.
Has Anyone ever had this heat lamp?

@beckyCarlos Your consultant needs some updating. Most doctors know that amh and scan are much more efficient to measure ovarian reserve than fsh. Don't be afraid to always seek a second opinion if you're not totally satisfied. When are you doing your scan and amh test ?

I learned my lesson and if I suspect that anything is happening I'll always seek a second or third opinion. I was going back and forth to my GP for the past couple of years with bleeding issues and they're saying it was Dysfunctional bleeding and there was no treatment for it. Only when I decided to go a fertility clinic that they found out I had fibroids. Suffice to say I completely lost confidence in the healthcare system.

[quote Angie887]@beckyCarlos I wouldn't worry about fsh as this isn't a raliable hormone to take any conclusions. Both fertility clinic I've been to didn't even bothered checking them. Amh and scan are much more efficient at giving an insight about ovarian reserve. Fingers crossed our turn to get our BFP will be soon 🤞🤞[/quote]
Thanks Angie 💕 to be fair the consultant said it was 'alarming' (but I'm not getting hung up on that, he had an eccentric turn of phrase throughout the conversation, and its not at menopausal levels 🤣) but didnt suggest we should be overly concerned given my age and said we'd review after the others so I'm keeping a lid on my stressing till then (or trying anyway haha) x

@beckyCarlos I wouldn't worry about fsh as this isn't a raliable hormone to take any conclusions. Both fertility clinic I've been to didn't even bothered checking them. Amh and scan are much more efficient at giving an insight about ovarian reserve. Fingers crossed our turn to get our BFP will be soon 🤞🤞

@choccrumpet exactly! Im very lucky to have a couple of friends who are very open with their struggles. Once I know for sure whats going on with us I'm committed to being vocal about it...similar thing happened when I had CIN2 detected at my first smear, noone I knew had every had that, the nurse told me it was HIGHLY unusual at my age, etc. But...its not! And only by being open do we find things out and realise we're not alone 🥰

@beckyCarlos I thought that we'd get pregnant first try (well we did but it ended in a chemical) but you know what I mean. Had NO idea it would take a while. Everyone else made it seem so easy. Spoiler alert: people don't talk about their struggles 🤦🏼‍♀️ so I'm trying to be as open as I can about our experience, there's no reason to hide anything.

And thank you 😭 they're the strongest lines I've ever had, taking that as a positive but very much aware of what could happen.

P s. @choccrumpet those lines are AMAZING x

@angie887 ahh ok - my acupuncturist said to me it can take up to 3 months for everything to balance out, so maybe months 4-6 might be the best ones where you're at optimal...err...status? Balance? Environment? 🤣

Trying since March 2020 🙈 but when it hadn't magically happened by 6 months I started properly looking at my cycles and we weren't necessarily trying on the 'best' days, and my husband works away sometimes, which always seemed to cross over with ovulation haha, so I started tracking properly... had maybe 10/11 'good' tries all told so still relatively early days (I'm still in F the FSH results mode, got my fighting gloves on today!)

I think @choccrumpet is right though, I 100% bumbled into this assuming I'd be pregnant in 6 months tops, but the longer it was I'd mention it to friends/work colleagues and all of a sudden you find out all these things and dont feel so alone 😊

@Angie887 I also feel the same 100%, I don't think I would have appreciated a successful pregnancy / having a baby without going through this and im trying to take that positive from this whole situation. Also being able to talk to others about our struggle and help normalise it for others is something I hope I can at least help my friends with. It is definitely easier said than done but it is possible and I'm the same about wanting things, no patience whatsoever if I don't get it immediately 😂 so this has definitely tested me.

Thank you, I hope so too ❤️ I've not been this positive throughout, I hit a really low low a few months ago, had to take time off work and take action to change my frame of mind, I'm so thankful that it has paid of in terms of me feeling so much better mentally.

@Hdujsjdjdbru that's super lucky and amazing that acupuncture seemed to help, congratulations 🤗

I'm sorry I haven't read the whole thread. I came off the pill a few years ago and by day 70 still didn't have my period so o started acupuncture and my period did return quickly after that and I got pregnant first cycle. Obviously I have no idea if it would have returned without acupuncture anyway. However I have also recently come of the pill again and did not have acupuncture and my period returned in a month and I got pregnant again first cycle.

@choccrumpet this whole situation made me appreciate things that I'd normally take for granted . I know it'll eventually happen as I know what my body is capable of, I just have to be patient. Easier said than done as when I want something I want it now 😂

Those lines in your test are beautiful
Very strong for 10 dpo. Wow 11 months trying? I'd be banging my head against the wall 😂. Well done for remaining strong. I've been ttc for 3 months and I'm already feeling it. Congratulations 🎊🎉👏Hope you have a sticky bean there ❤️

@Angie887 I'm sorry it's been difficult for you! It's good that you got the fibroid removed so hopefully everything is good in there now. You were so lucky to conceive first time both times! We've been trying for 11 months now and have had lots of chemical losses, finally seeing a positive this month so it's still quite early but I went into ttc completely oblivious as to how difficult it will be, how long it would take etc. I knew nothing before trying. It's been extremely difficult mentally but I feel like I've come out on the other side the past month or so. Remember that every cycle even if you do everything right there is a 20% or less chance of conceiving. It doesn't make it any easier but helps to put things into context. I hope it'll happen any cycle for you now 💕

@beckyCarlos that's the best mood to be in to deal with all of this but it's also okay to feel sad / angry etc, so take advantage of it whilst you're feeling this way!

@Angie887 that sounds frustrating, I don't blame you for feeling that way. A change might be a good idea, you might find another acupuncturist that you like even more. And like @beckyCarlos said having even just basic investigations might be helpful to either rule things out or to pick up on something that isn't right.

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 thank you 🤗

These are my tests from yesterday and bottom one is today. Still feels surreal

@beckyCarlos I'm using a donor who's been tested so I'm sure it's not a male factor. I did a whole fertility check-up in a fertility clinic and bloods were normal but they did find a small fibroid during my scan which they thought it wouldn't be an issue. I went for a second fertility check up at a different fertility clinic because I wanted a second opinion and doctor thought it was best to get fibroid removed as this was the only thing they could find wrong . I had histerescopy last month and removed the fibroid. This is my first cycle ttc after the procedure so I'm hoping I can finally see a BFP. I already have 2 children who were conceived first attempt when I was much younger so this whole situation is so frustrating.

How long have you been ttc?

@angie887 definitely look at male factor things as well, we're pending a semen analysis ourselves. But a change is as good as a rest as they say so you might want to look for a different acupuncturist. Have you had any investigations for yourself? It might be worth getting some basic tests done just for a bit of reassurance x

Thank you for this information. I've just checked and my current acupuncturist is accredited by zita. I think I have to persist. 😁

[quote A1b2c3d4e5f6g7]@choccrumpet i see you got a great line today!! Really nice progression 🥳

@beckyCarlos have you read It Starts With the Egg? Have to say I found it eye opening and really useful. I'm over 35 and had had a previous miscarriage, so was really focusing on improving my eggs, hormone levels, partners sperm etc but I'd have loved to have come across this book a few months ago and think it would have really helped me [/quote]
Ooh no I havent...I'm amazon priming it now! X x

I've been doing weekly acupuncture sessions for 3 months. Feeling a bit disheartened as I'm yet to see my BFP. Thinking about changing places.
Is anyone in Scotland who can recommend a good acupuncturist with successful stories?