Accupunture.

not TTC but have had acupuncture for other reasons and had a very strong effect on my periods as a 'side effect'. Almost too strong on one occasion, bit intense and had MASSIVE stomach cramps. After that tho', the same as other have said, bright red blood instead of dark, etc,,,much improved.

Good luck

I was ttc for a year and then went to an acupuncturist. I was told I was "too hot" and that was why I maybe couldn't conceive. I had two sessions over two weeks and fell pregnant.

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Done acupuncture twice. Fell pregnant both times within 6 weeks of doing the course.

First time, I had been off the pill for a while, had no period and had also been temping, so knew I wasnt ovulating. Did 6 weekly sessions of acupuncture/ massage and daily herbal remedies...ovulated and pregnant immediately.

Second time did it to try and make cycles more regular (had never been regular/ less than 40 days long since DS1 was born). Pregnant again 6 weeks later.

I found the sessions highly relaxing and definitely recommend it to anyone...especially if you suffer from long/ irregular cycles.

I also avoided alcohol and minimised caffiene...no idea if that also helped.

Hiya - I tried accupuncture and it did nothing for me unfortunately. Now in the mddle of IVF. It did help my DP give up smoking though! I think you need to be totally unsceptical about anything like this for it to work. Good luck!

hairy triangle.
for the acupuncture for stress did they use the points on the ear? or something else?
I've recently trained in acupuncture but for treating pain, not fertility etc.

presumably, if my acupuncturist knows I am going to be doing IVF she won't recommend any herbs?

Am drinking nettle tea at the moment, is that ok?

No I really wouldn't try any herbs, ever, even when not pg - apart from things that you know are very established and widely known to be safe, like peppermint. Herbal remedies unlike conventional medicines don't have to be safety tested, and they can have all sorts of active ingredients in them that can be harmful or can interact with medicines you might also take.

Do they try to recommend herbs? Am interested in trying them if there's some likelyhood they will work.

I had acupuncture regularly for a non-gynae problem and realised as an aside that my periods became much more regulated so I can believe that it has an effect on ttc. I have never taken the herbs they try and push on you though as I won't take something when I don't know what it is.

I had reflexology and while I can't prove it was a factor, I got pg after a few months (following no success for over a year). Like Boss I found it very relaxing and pampering sorry hate that word but you know what I mean - maybe it was just taking that regular time out and destressing that helped.

But on the last visit (I had arranged to take a break for a month or two) the reflexologist said "Ooh have you got some news for me then?" the minute I walked in the door. I had just recently ovulated so said "Hmmm don't know, still in the 2-week wait" - but I was pg and she obviously was sure I was. Freaky! No idea how she could tell.

Ooh you have all inspired me to book a session! Its on Thursday, so fingers crossed it all goes well thanks!

I had reflexology to help regulate my periods and assist conception. It achieved the first and now have DD aged 2. Plus was hugely relaxing - used to fall asleep in every session

I have my first session on Wednesday. Will report back how it makes me feel.

Am slightly off topic here, I had acupuncture for stress, and it beat any tablets, therapy, aromatherapy or anything else I've had INTANTLY. I am going to booka few sessions specificially for conceiving,at some point.

Strangely I felt tired and slightly down for half a day after the session, but back to normal after that

Hi, another fan here. I turned to it last year to help me get over a miscarriage and it really helped me regulate my cycle back to normal. I'm now 6 weeks pregnant (early days I know) but I do feel the accupuncture has helped with that. Would recommend that anyone trying it gets an expert in fertility rather than a generalist practioneer though. There is a site for fertility accupuncture specialists if you google it.

Sorry, I should have given you a bit of background I think... This is only my second cycle off the pill. The first was 44 days and this, my second, is 47 days at the minute. Before the pill I was a regular 31 days. I know it can take a while to regulate but I want to speed things along.

Thanks everyone for your replies! You are a lovely lot- I think I'll make an appointment for this weekend and I'll keep you posted.

Hi Abi,
I have had reflexology and it's supposed to help, though I didn't get pregnant. I know that it certainly relaxed me and made me feel a lot better.

Hi ladies,

Jumping on this slightly - does reflexology help too?

Thanks

I did acupuncture before starting IVF and conceived first round of full IVF - DD. I then had one FET without acupuncture which failed and one with acupuncture which is now DS. Would definitely recommend.

Felicity - I had a really ong cycle and acupuncture/herbs helped with it a lot. I would go and see someone now and not wait until your period starts.

I am a huge fan of accupuncture for all sorts of things, and I definitely think that the accupunture helped me to get pregnant (although I have no specific fertility issues) and more importantly stay pregnant. In fact, when I was preg with dd, I was in the 2ww and had an appointment with my accu man, and he told me I was pregnant before I had even done a test.

FelicityFlick - why do you have to wait until your period arrives? Did the accupunturist ask you to? AFAIK, they are able to treat you at any stage in your cycle.

Has your acupuncturist said you should? Mine hasn't mentioned it. I would maybe ask them because they may be able to do something to encourage it along. If your cycle is usually this long then it's probably something you need investigating anyway. I know that Acupuncture can help to regulate hormones etc so it may help anyway

Hi everyone,

I am so keen to try acupuncture and have found a place I am going to go to and met the practioner etc but there is just one problem.

I am on CD 47 and I need my period to come before I get started on this. I am desperate to regulate my periods and am tempted to make an appointment asap in the hope that it will hurry my period along.

I am almost certain I an not already pregnant as I have done three tests over the past three weeks and all have been BFN.

Just after a bit of advice really, would you wait until your period came or would you go before?

Thanks

Flick

Me too, I have just booked my first session. I am having IVF in March so will be having it before and after the treatment.