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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

acupuncture

18 replies

plumblusher · 30/09/2010 20:30

Been ttc for 2 1/2yrs. about to try acupuncture,just wondered if anyone else had any success with it?

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BagofHolly · 30/09/2010 20:46

I looked desperately for any published evidence to show that acupuncture helps fertility in any form. The only thing I could find was a meta analysis that showed that there was an increased benefit in having acupuncture as an adjunct to embryo transfer post IVF, but the way in which the data was collated is wide open for criticism. I couldn't find anything else remotely compelling.

After 2 1/2 years, it's probably time to look at more proven treatments. Very very best of luck.x

haribofan · 30/09/2010 23:09

There are many, many positive threads about accupuncture on MN but personally I didn't find it helped at all. I had sessions for 3 or 4 months and over an IVF cycle but I didn't notice any changes and never truly bought into it tbh. I went because of the wealth of positive stories you hear. I'm still ttc (no.3) but wouldn't go back to accu if I did IVF again. She used to take my pulse/s and if they weren't very good, it used to stress me out more than before I got there. However, it does relax a lot of people so I think I'll be in the minority with this view!

digitalgirl · 01/10/2010 18:57

plumblusher I had acupuncture for a cycle when ttc#1 when I realised my cycles were irregular. The cycle I had it was anovulatory so I felt pretty cheated, however I did conceive the next cycle on a fairly early ovulation for me so it may or may not have helped.
I have since been ttc#2 for over a year. Have had 2 early miscarriages and after the second miscarriage i wanted to do something to help regulate my cycles again. I have had it for three cycles and they've all been within a day of each other so in that respect the acupuncture has helped me. Even if it has been a placebo, I've found that long term ttc is about mindset - knowing that one day it will work.

Ttc for over 2 years is long, have you been referred to a fertility specialist?

InTheSunshine · 03/10/2010 09:38

plumblusher I've been having acupuncture for just over a month now. It definitely helps me to relax, it's sorted out my digestion and this month seems to have regulated my cycle. It also helps me to think differently about TTC. I don't think it will 'make' me pregnant (think my DP has a bigger part to play in that Grin) but I do think it has opened my eyes to thinking about my whole lifestyle in approaching TTC. Go along for a chat and see what you think - I think connecting with whoever is applying the treatment is important. good luck

plumblusher · 03/10/2010 09:45

Thank you everyone for your replies. Digitalgirl-yes both me and DH have been through all the tests at the fertility clinic and we are apparently both fertile which although sounds wonderful is frustrating when there's been no pg! We have a 4yr old DD and have had a miscarriage after her and two before her. I totally agree with your mindset theory and sometimes feel that I'm just too focused on getting pg and need to relax and then it may happen. I'm 35 and evidence says that your fertility plummets thereafter and that makes me panic which doesn't help! I'm currently on a six month course of Clomid and we're half way through. Just feel like I need to try a new avenue to keep me positive.....

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plumblusher · 03/10/2010 09:50

In the sunshine-thank you. Just feel I need to try something a bit different. More than getting me pregnant for me it's about thinking about something else and giving me a ray of hope.

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midnightblues · 03/10/2010 10:00

I had acupuncture when my periods had all but stopped, and the fertility clinic said I had polycystic ovaries.

Within two months of acupuncture (done weekly) my periods were coming back, and after six months, they were regular.

One month after that, the Chinese doctor actually told me the date to ttc with husband, and it worked! Dd is now 7 years old!

I trusted the doctor because he was trained in China, and is very experienced with herbs too, which helped.

looseleaf · 04/10/2010 12:16

I've been ttc for 3 years now and about to start acupuncture next week so will keep you posted. Tried 6 months on clomid which made me ovulate fine, have been very laid-back/ unstressed, and there are no obvious reasons it hasn't worked and friends do seem to keep recommending acupuncture who have tried it

plumblusher · 05/10/2010 04:21

Looseleaf-please do keep me posted on your progress in my opinion any thing's worth a try. I'm going for a consultation this week and will take it from there. Many many thanks for your reply.

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ttalloo · 05/10/2010 05:47

plumblusher, I tried acupuncture after TTC for two years, in which I had two early MCs in the first year, followed by an inability to get pregnant at all in the second.

I had two sessions with the acupuncturist in the June, and by the end of July I was pregnant, continued to have sessions with him throughout the pregnancy, and DS1 was the result. I've had acupuncture ever since, and conceived DS2 at the first attempt.

DH thinks it's all mumbo-jumbo and coincidence, but I do believe that it really helped me - the positive mindset perhaps, but also the thought that someone was actually helping me and listening to me. In my first session I told the acupuncturist something that I hadn't realised before, which was that I was scared of never getting pregnant again, but also scared of getting pregnant again, in case I had another MC.

So I think you have nothing to lose. (If you live in North London I'm happy to recommend the guy that I see to you.)

And don't worry about your fertility plummeting when you reach 35. After my second MC when I was 34, my gynaecologist told me that one of the factors used by researchers to calculate that fertility plummets after 35, is that older women tend to have less sex, so as long as you are having lots of sex mid-cycle (Wink), you are already boosting your chances considerably. And you don't need to be at it like rabbits, even - every other day is enough to give you a really good chance of conception.

Good luck to you and looseleaf - I hope you have some happy news very soon.

HobnobHeaven · 05/10/2010 20:10

Hi plumbblusher, I had accupuncture for 6 months before I fell pregnant with my DS. I have quite bad PCOS, and a very irregular cycle, but after 3 sessions I was having a monthly cycle.
Like ttalloo, my DH is a cynic, but my accupuncturist was a local GP who was really lovely - just chatting to her and going to see her made me relax. I think a lot of it is probably in the mind as much as the needles, but I'd say go for it - and best of luck!

digitalgirl · 05/10/2010 21:01

plumblusher just thought I'd update you on my bfp! Am extremely nervous after the last two pregnancies ended in miscarriage so I went to see my acupuncturist today. He cited lots of research supporting positive effects of acupuncture in early pregnancy so we're starting a program of fortnightly sessions to boost blood flow to the womb and keep my progesterone levels high till I get to 12 weeks.

Am feeling much more reassured - and that can only be a good thing.

highheelsandequations · 05/10/2010 22:24

Hi plumblusher I'm currently trying acupuncture in my ongoing quest ttc. Had clomid for 3 cycles, it made me ovulate but no baby. So far have had 4 sessions of acupuncture, my cycles have not yet settled but it's early days however my stress levels have plummetted, I feel much more relaxed and it's helped lots with my IBS. It also has helped to talk to someone about the various things going on in my life and it makes me feel like I'm doing something positive. I'd recommend it purely for the relaxation :) that's got to be a good thing when ttc. Good luck with everything and let us know how you get on.

plumblusher · 08/10/2010 18:19

digitalgirl congratulations,so pleased for you. hope all goes well keep me posted.highheelsandsequins ttalloo and hobnobheaven thanks for your posts just reading the positive comments does me the world of good. Went for my first session yesterday and was quite impressed with what he told me about my body. If anything its given my positivity a well needed boost and I feel like I'm doing something.Could have died when he put needles in my legs and I haven't shaved them for almost a month though!!!! Going for next session on Tuesday and I can not wait, will have shaved legs Monday night!

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InTheSunshine · 10/10/2010 15:23

Keep us updated plumblusher.... for the first time in 9 months I had a 28 day cycle this month - that's after 5 sessions of acupuncture so I am very positive that I might have a BFP one day! Good luck Smile

haribofan · 10/10/2010 22:27

Really good to hear accupuncture has such positive effects on so many people. I feel really odd because every accupuncture thread I read is so positive yet I just found it a bit meh!! I liked the lady that did it and used her as a confidante about my ttc- haven't told anyone else in RL. But still don't think it really did anything. Hmm, I've now got to have a laparoscopy so maybe my problems ttc were a bit beyond accupuncture?!

highheelsandequations · 31/10/2010 10:13

Just to update, may be complete conincidence but finally got my BFP. Don't know if it's thanks to the acupuncture but something definitely worked.

digitalgirl · 31/10/2010 21:58

Congratulations highheels, that's great news!!! Good luck and hope you have an easy 8 or 9 months ahead of you.

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