Acupuncture for fertility

Thanks @chocrumpet 😊 today I feel quite feisty and have decided that 'I am beckycarlos, I am not a statistic, take your FSH, and shove it' 🤣 followed by 'my boobs are still not sore so something must be changing, up yours hormones'. Well aware I could be back in a pit of pity by tomorrow but I'm rolling with the positivity while its here! X

@beckyCarlos I'm similar to you in that I can't sit back, I try to find things I can do that might help. That's why I love acupuncture, it made me feel like I was doing something that would help either way.

Fingers crossed your next appointment helps or brings more useful info.

And sounds like acupuncture is helping with symptoms 🤞🏼

Haha not too long, get it out, you need to debrief and get it out too!

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 🤞🏼🤗

@sleeplessem I'm in Yorkshire, but your story gives me hope anyway!

@choccrumpet the amount I've googled today, all I'm seeing is success stories where all is not lost and its 100% about quality, which the ultrasound and AMH should be a better indicator of. Just waiting for a call from the admin team to arrange the tests, I'll give them a bell on Monday if I havent heard anything by then (still waiting on some consent forms).

Basically though, I'm never one for being told something and I can't do anything about it, so figure the acupuncture (which if nothing else is massively calming me), is certainly not going to hurt my chances of concieving naturally and/or balancing my hormones.

Yeah I'm 3dpo, normally have sore boobs by now but nothing yet which I'd think is the acupuncture working 😊

God this is huge again, sorry! Long and emotional day 🤣 x

If anyone here is in commuting distance to Solihull west mids. Michael Gorman all the way. Saw one acupuncturist for 6 months and nada, saw him for 3 and bam pregnant and I’d been told I’d need ivf +icsi. He’s helped nearly 1000 women who were told they’d never conceive have a baby.

I did it for about 9 months. Once a week. I had 4 rounds of unsuccessful IVf and still have no baby. It did appear to regulate my cycle a bit - periods went from 28-38 day cycle to a more steady 30 and between period spotting reduced. That could also have been because of my improved lifestyle in prep for ivf though I suppose. Bottom line for me is I don't think it was worth the money and towards the end I actively dreaded it because it felt like another invasive thing I was doing to my body.

Thank you @beckyCarlos

Glad your appointment went well! I felt a sense of relief that someone was taking me seriously and listening during mine. It's positive that they know this now and can take appropriate action but you are right about trying not to stress too much about it as there's still a few results outstanding to help give a fuller picture of things. When is your next test / appointment?

I'll have to wait and see if I pass my period due date or not and then might have to contact my fertility clinic at some point, I'm not sure what the process would be there. I was just about to start all my bloods too so need to see how things pan out.

You must be about 3dpo now? Obviously too early to test but how are you feeling about things?

Oh my gosh @choccrumpet that is so exciting!!!! Everything crossed for you!!!!

Call with the fertility clinic was nice. He seemed like a nice and jovial man, and was good to actually speak to a consultant and get a first pass at things. But. Apparently my FSH is high, its not 100% dire, but it ain't good (was drawn on day 1 of my period but not sure thst would affect it too much)...I've spent a lot of the day on google and mumsnet and all the advice seems to be 'its not great but its only one measure so dont panic too much' which is pretty much what the Dr said.

Next steps are ultrasound to count how many folicles (/eggs?) Are growing and preparing, and an AMH test to get better info on my reserve. Things I have on my side: good LH levels, age (I'm 'only' 33 which is still good in terms of not being 35+ 🤣), and that I have regular periods and positive OPKs.

I've read a lot that says FSH is a hugely changeable hormobe, but they always operate on your worst result, but who knows. It doesnt mean my quality is bad and it doesn't mean I can't get pregnant naturally (and doesnt automatically rule out IVF either).

Im taking my best advice and not having a 5 alarm meltdown until a) we have husbands sperm analysis b) I've had my AMH and c) I've had my ultrasound. Continuing acupuncture, yoga, and having as much sex as is possible 🤣

Jesus sorry this is so long! X

@beckyCarlos how are you doing?

Wanted to update this thread, I got a faint positive test this morning at 9DPO. Cautiously optimistic but also preparing for the worst. Period is due on Sunday so that will be the first big milestone to pass. I had acupuncture today and she did some points to help strengthen my immune system (I got the vaccine yesterday and that's affected my pulse), help with energy levels, nausea and sleep.

Thanks @beckyCarlos ! It really sounds like it's not on him so if it happens again I'd have to question it properly!! Hopefully this one is good enough, your poor husband 🤣

@choccrumpet I'm woth @a1b2... i hope this is it for you too 😊 but if not we can go through all the tests together! My husband has his 2nd SA on the 23rd, if they 'cant' analyse this one I have no idea what the next step is 🤣 x

Thank you @A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 me too 😭

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 I hope so.. I've done enough googling today to know it's not always that outcome so am trying to reign myself in 🤣

@beckyCarlos we were never told 😂 haha I did the same in mine too. Hope the appointment goes well. Mine had so much info I didn't really take much away from it. Will be doing my bloods next cycle if this one isn't successful and my partner has his SA booked for July and a HyCoSy sometime then as well. And yes testing is so addictive, I get too excited to inspect each test. But nothing so far, way too early.

[quote choccrumpet]@beckyCarlos that's amazing, both ovulation surge and the appointment! A longer cycle isn't necessarily bad, it's just a lot of waiting around! My surge this month wasn't that strong but I could have also missed my "strongest" surge as I only tested once a day.

For the call you might need your partner with you as they asked mine a few questions which I didn't even think about, luckily he was at home. Exciting that things are moving along! How are you feeling about it all? [/quote]
Yeah she said to both be here so we've gone all private appointment in our work diaries, people will think I'm having an interview 🤣

Haha there is a danger to test everytime you wee, its addictive seeing those two lines! Hopefully the unusual things for you mean something positive!! X

@beckyCarlos that's amazing, both ovulation surge and the appointment! A longer cycle isn't necessarily bad, it's just a lot of waiting around! My surge this month wasn't that strong but I could have also missed my "strongest" surge as I only tested once a day.

For the call you might need your partner with you as they asked mine a few questions which I didn't even think about, luckily he was at home. Exciting that things are moving along! How are you feeling about it all?

Hey @choccrumpet yes! Had my surge yesterday so 🤞 ovulating today. For what its worth its the 'strongest' surge I've had to date, and the latest for ages so I'm taking that as good!

Also got a call from the fertility clinic today, they have a cancellation for an initial online call on Thurs so we've snapped that up too! X

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 depends what the test day is for you 😂 I've been mostly symptom less with the odd cramp until yesterday. Had a bit of spotting at 5DPO which was unusual for me, mild cramping now and again and nausea that comes and goes today 6dpo. Was hoping I'd have no symptoms like you but that is not happening. How have you been feeling?

@beckyCarlos how are you doing? Any progress with your OPKs?

I got pregnant the first month we tried acupuncture. I went a few more times in the first trimester and would recommend to everyone. Found it great.

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 I'm thinking it's definitely acupuncture 😆 the effects are almost immediate, that's why I'm getting so excited and trying not to myself. Let's hope it does happen for us, otherwise I don't know how I will cope 🤞🏼