Acupuncture for fertility

@Loops01 you're definitely not the only one. I think I'm almost googled out, I've googled every symptom you could think of so don't get the need to do it as often anymore 😅 but I go between trying things one way and trying them the opposite way all the time, it's hard to make up my mind as I'm always thinking what if the other way works! It's mentally tiring to think about something so much.

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 oh wow you've gone the whole way, I haven't changed anything about how or what I eat as I think I eat pretty well and can't cope with being more particular with anything to do with food. Like I said I flip and flop different ways, I'll change my mind several times 😂I'll try acupuncture and see how I get on with it. If I don't like it I think I'm going to stop completely and see how it goes. But who knows, I'm sure to change my mind about it again

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 I don't temp mainly because I work a 10 week shift pattern of days, lates and nights and often the cat wakes me up to let her out and I sometimes fall asleep after and sometimes I don't. My partner also works a somewhat opposite 5 week shift pattern. Sometimes timing opks is difficult enough that I thought I don't think the temping would be right. Although if you know anyone in a similar position that did temping and it worked then I'm happy to try it but just thought it may be a lot of effort for something that might not actually work out to be accurate because of my work life. Just now I do about 2 or 3 opks a day from cd10 until a few days after ovulation (max cd20). I also track my cm which has been pretty consistent during ovulation. To be honest I don't really have much other symptoms. About 3 months ago I was certain I was pregnant as have really sore boobs and cramping around 7/8 DPO but nope!

@choccrumpet I am glad I'm not the only one! I am the same, its impossible to stop thinking. Everything reminds me of something. It doesn't help that I googled a lot as I get lots of ads on fb and Instagram! I used to be a scientist before my current job so it's all natural for me to really study things like this. Sometimes I think I should follow the seed cycle type things and other times I'm like I tried it, didn't work so what's the point! I am starting to think that my body has had too much of folic acid as in pretty sure I get enough in diet so I think I'll stop that when the tub finishes or maybe take 1 every 2 days. I see so many folk take drugs and excess alcohol and get pregnant and i feel we are being punished for trying to better our embryo/child and ourselves!! Haha.

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 that's really positive and refreshing to actually see a change so quickly 😅 I hope my lady is able to set up my appointments as often as we need them, I hope she's not too busy for me! It also sounds like temping is key to see definitive changes, maybe I should try it again. Re period pain, mine used to be extremely painful and since coming off the pill they have been getting less painful every cycle, apart from last one where it was a bad one again. I don't know why the fluctuate for me, there must be a reason for you as well.

I don't love baths that much but it makes me sad that I've been putting it off just in case and that just in case has turned into 9 months at this point. I don't want to not be doing things "just in case" and then ending up not enjoying that time when I could have. It makes me wonder more and more whether I should stop being so careful about certain things and just do what I want (in moderation, I don't even drink that much) and that might help me feel more relaxed and maybe more likely to fall pregnant.

Contradicting myself in one comment 😂 I have no idea what to do lol or what is best to do I should say.

@Loops01 I could have written your comment, you've literally taken the words out of my mouth. The acupuncturist I tried last week said the same thing, doctors I've spoken to said the same, stop thinking about it, it'll happen. But if I want something I work for it. I don't understand it either and that's why I keep thinking it's bound to happen if I was to give up. But it's hard to give up what little control I do have. And I want this so much.

That's a lot of announcements, I hope you're okay. It's also helped me hearing about people in similar situations but again I wished more talked about it, people I know etc.

My friend gave me some bath salts over Christmas and asked me the other day if I've used them. I haven't because I'm wary of taking a bath at specific times of my cycles in case I'm pregnant and it does something to the pregnancy so I've ended up avoiding baths and other things like alcohol, pregnancy unsafe skincare etc. It's ridiculous.

Maybe I should stop trying. Take my vitamins but give up everything else because doing everything right isn't getting me nowhere.

Okay rant over 😅😂

She said that because she said it could take up to 2 years. Then she followed it with because it can take up to 2 years for the pill to come out. I never mentioned I was in the pill before she said that but my reply was I have been off it for 2 years. She just kinda went huh and then said that I'm stressing too much and that every month I'm thinking 'I wonder if I'm pregnant, why am I not pregnant' etc and tbf that is true. She said (like everyone else) it'll happen when I stop thinking about it. I'm just not that person though. If I want anything to happen I make it happen. I always compare it to a job interview. If you prepare you feel better if you get it but I guess it's no guarantee. I see ttc very scientific - sperm meets egg, fertilises and them implants. I don't get how difficult it is if there are no known major issues? I have had 8 people announce in a week and a bit. All took the max of 6 months to get pregnant. One has pcos, two have high bmis, most have poor diet and one has heavy periods. Here's me with a consistent cycle, diet, weight etc and nothing. I'm not moaning as I've given up but I do wonder why it works easy for some more than others. Can't be an age thing either as 3 of them are older than me. All first pregnancies too. So odd but heyho, nothing we can do more sometimes than just keep up the 'good work'. It is nice to read that there are others in similar positions. I've heard of some persons getting pregnant in the same circumstances on here and it's nice to hear of good news from those who are on similar level. Hopefully as time goes on, things get easier and there's bfp's for everyone!

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 it must be sooo encouraging to hear! It makes me feel optimistic if I was to stick to a similar acupuncture routine. I'll be asking mine what she has seen from her experience. I wouldn't blame you, it's tough being optimistic the whole time, especially after they share this hopefully nugget of information

Sorry to hear @A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 although at least it's on time and you're not waiting around. And the high temps sound positive! It sounds like your cycle is getting more regular!

After how many acupuncture sessions should we see a change? I think the guy that I went to that I didn't get on with said something like 2 or 3 months before there is a clear impact. I wonder if that's the case.

@Loops01 we have been trying for 9 months (multiple chemicals) and 2 acupuncturists that I spoke to have said nothing about us not trying long enough for fertility acupuncture. I wonder why she said that? It sounds like she's open to it though which is good. It's hard to know what to do that might help! I know it doesn't help me when other say this but perfectly healthy couples could take up to a year or more to conceive, I don't think it's that odd, I wonder why she mentioned that? It's crap and frustrating alright!

I'm starting to think that no matter what I try or do differently it won't happen for us until we stop trying everything and sort of give up. That all my trying is having the opposite effect.

I have just started general accupuncture for stress. I mentioned fertility but she said that I hadn't been trying long enough but we could do fertility after the 3 session for stress/migraines. I spoke with her about my cycle and she found it odd that I'm 9 months without pregnancy of any sort but have a completely regular cycle with no known issues or pms and that husband has got a great SA result. She thinks that my tubes may be blocked or its stress related. I will be going for fertility in a month or so to see. She offers a course of 6 which is roughly over 2 months. Not sure how it would work or help but I think if it helps reduce pms or cycle issues or general stress then may be worth a try. We try everything else ttc so why not haha. Good to hear about the positive results it's had although I'm so sad to hear about others who have had losses. Never easy.

Interesting subject.

I spent time in Ibiza with a woman who knew an acupuncturist on the next island who was renowned for treating infertile women who subsequently became pregnant.

Sorry for typos. This phone hates me

I had it, one session. To be honest I hated everything about it. Not relaxing for me at all, plus the therapist had left the notes of other patients lying around which I could see. I complained about it and asked her to destroy my notes and she basically told en to F off.

When we finally got a diagnosis after years, we had male factor infertility so me putting myself through every possible treatment and therapy had been pointless anyway.

Just my own experience - not one of recommend. Appreciate it is different for everyone. I am much more into non-invasive relaxing therapies such as massage or reflexology.

@beckyCarlos kinda hard to describe, I suppose a dull ache like someone's putting pressure on that particular part of your body. As long as it's not a sharp stingy pain I guess.

This info is relaxing me 😊 thanks all!

Whats a dull ache like though? Like when you know youre getting neck ache becuase you know you've been slumped over your desk all day?

Im quite excited to give it a go, anything to give me a sense of control 🤣 x

@choccrumpet I'm pescatarian, but I don't really eat that much fish and prefer to buy vegan mayo and other vegan substitutes when I can. There was a bit of disappointment in my acupuncturist's voice when I first told her I didn't eat meat, but after that she's not mentioned it again, I think she's satisfied with the amount of vitamins and supplements I'm taking. Anyway, I don't believe being vegetarian hinders your chances of getting pregnant, a friend of mine had her first baby at 40 a couple of months ago and she's been vegan for years.

I have my third appointment tomorrow and it'll be interesting to see where the needles go because my last 2 sessions she was treating me as if I was pregnant (I was in the TWW) but tomorrow it'll be CD 9 so I believe the treatment will be a little different. The ones that go on the ears are bit uncomfortable! But apparently if the needles give you a dull ache it's "working" but they shouldn't sting.

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 I think I got really really unlucky with how this guy approached my appointment. Maybe I could have reacted to his information a different way and I also think I'm in a vulnerable place right now mentally so maybe what he said had a negative effect on me. He's made me feel like being vegetarian is a bad/wrong thing, like I'm starving my body of nutrients and that's why I'm feeling tired, making me doubt myself & my ability to take care of myself nutrient and food wise.. I need to forget what he's said and focus on the things that I can do. Make sure I'm eating well, which I think I am, book a blood tests to check things that could effect my energy levels and take it from there.

Would love to hear if anyone else has had experiences of talking about their diets or if you're also a veggie?

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 that does sound similar!

Mine was on my stomach, ankles, knees and wrists to stimulate blood flow to the uterus area and he also attached an electrical stimulation I think it might be called machine to my stomach. That felt almost sore and uncomfortable but I did get used to it.

Wasn't a great appointment overall, long story short, I'm a vegetarian and it seemed like he was anti vegetarianism and pushing me to think about eating meat throughout the whole appointment. Didn't have a connection with him so won't be going back there again. But have now booked with someone else who was recommended by a friend, not Zita West trained but she has training in fertility treatments, in over a weeks time 🤗

Also probably a pure coincidence but I've been waiting to ovulate / get a peak on OPK and this cycle is the latest I've gotten my peak that I know of and I got my peak this morning.