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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.

Original poster

Secondary Infertility - Acupuncture or Reflexology?

80 replies

ionaming · 11/10/2005 22:58

Hiya, been ttc no. 2 for a year now & have been diagnosed with low progesterone & a short luteal phase. I've tried all the usual suspects - vit B6, B Complex, Agnus Castus etc & I'm currently awaiting my 1st appointment with the Fertility Consultant.

But in the meantime, I thought I might give acupuncture or reflexology a go, but I'm not sure which is better? Also, any recommendations for practioners in the North Hampshire/Surrey area would be great

OP posts:
piffle · 11/10/2005 23:04

my neighbour had 8 miscarriage between her 3rd and 4th children (4th now 2 wks old)
she went to a relfexologist after 2 yrs of trying and bang first month after she fell prgenant and held and she has a gorgeous little new boy
North hampshire crikey I used to live in Fleet - Hants but now in Lincs, ummmm cannot remember at all!

Original poster
ionaming · 11/10/2005 23:07

Wow Piffle, I live in Fleet!

OP posts:
piffle · 11/10/2005 23:18

wow!
freaky!

Original poster
ionaming · 12/10/2005 18:34

Anyone?

OP posts:
aloha · 12/10/2005 18:35

Try www.reflexology.org to find someone in your area.

katierocket · 12/10/2005 18:36

I have secondary infertility (unexplained) been trying for 18 months now. I've had acupuncture for last 8 months but obviously it's not worked, although I think it did 'help' improve my general wellbeing and fertility. I do however know of people for whom it worked within 1-3 months. Don't know anything about reflexology but a friend of mine who has been TTC for 2 years tried it and wasn't that impressed.

how old is your first ionaming? It's a nightmare isn't it?

aloha · 12/10/2005 18:36

and www.acupuncture.org.uk for acupuncturists.

pindy · 12/10/2005 18:41

I'm a reflexologist so a biased opinion! but go for reflexolgy honestly I believe it would be better for you. Sometimes I can even tell if someone is pregnant before they know - spooky eh? Sorry don't live in that area I'm in North Somerset, try your local papers or on the web.

Good luck.

katierocket · 12/10/2005 18:41

why do you believe it would be better though?

cori · 12/10/2005 18:49

I was'nt diagnosed with secondary infertility but, I was trying for no.2 for 7 months, and then had a miscarried that pregnancy at 16 weeks. I then went to see acupuncturist, to help my body recover and prepare for pregnancy. I got pregnant within two months of trying. Am now 11 weeks pregnant. So I would recomend it.
I have never had reflexology because I have very sensitive feet.

iris66 · 12/10/2005 19:06

I'm a reflexologist too and believe that any holistic therapy that activates your body to balance itself will be beneficial to your health. Just make sure you go to someone who is appropriately qualified and belongs to one of the large regulatory organisaions of the therapy you chose. The Association of Reflexologists and Association of Natural Medicine also fit this category. Good Luck

Cori - Reflexology doesn't tickle so your sensitive feet shouldn't be an issue

futurity · 12/10/2005 19:34

I got pregnant first month of trying first time round...second time it took longer and I found out I had a short luteal phase. I tried the usual suspects as well and I decided to have reflexology as I heard it could help and I needed to chill out! Anyway, you've guessed it, I had two treatments and couldn't have any more as I found out I was pregnant. Now I don't know if it was all the vitamins, Agnus Castus I was taking or if it was the reflexology or if it would had happened anyway but I heartly recommend it. I told the reflexologist of my baby making problems and she worked on those specific areas. I had also started the process of further traditional research into my problem but the vits and reflexology helped me as well by feeling I was actively doing something rather than leaving it to chance each month. Good luck!

homemama · 12/10/2005 20:06

Hi Ionaming, we're in Hartley Wintney and TTC #2 too! So, if you come across a good refexologist in the area, let me know

Mojomummy · 12/10/2005 20:27

Hi, I am TTC after a miscarriage in August.

I have had 2 sessions with a reflexologist who is based in Basingstoke. I recommend her, so if you are interested, please CAT me for details. She is well priced at £20 a session.

I also have a friend who is a reflexologist in Reading. She recommends reflexology & also accupuncture. Both reach different levels in the body very effectively

homemama · 12/10/2005 20:51

Hi mojomummy, sorry to hear about your m/c
Thanks for the info. Basingstoke is about 12m from me but worth travelling if she's very good, easier to get to Reading though. I will try and CAT you for the details tomorrow.
Thanks again.

Original poster
ionaming · 12/10/2005 21:34

Thanks everyone!

Mojomummy, sounds great - have sent you a CAT.

Would SO love to post a success story on this forum . And then DD can stop nagging me for a brother/sister. She's 4.5 & everyone else we know has more than one child

OP posts:
homemama · 12/10/2005 21:42

Ionaming, I'm going to CAT MM too, so if we both have success we can start preaching!!!
BTW, where is the nearest maternity hospital to us? Don't know anything as we've only just moved to the area. I know I don't need it yet, just being prepared (optimistic)

mancmum · 12/10/2005 21:54

I had acupuncture and after 19 months of trying for baby #2 was pregnant... so am very biased - my therapist picked up I was pregnant from my pulse only 5 days after conception... thought she was talking crap until I did the test 9 days later

Original poster
ionaming · 12/10/2005 22:20

Wow, Mancmum, what a fabulous result! There seems to be an even split between the acupuncture/reflexology/both choice. Good to hear some success stories

Homemama, if you're in Hartley Wintney, then the nearest hospital is Basingstoke. Fleet is covered by Frimley Park, but basically you can chose any hospital you like, but obviously you don't want to be too far away! I'll CAT you with my email address so we can compare notes on acupuncture/reflexology if you like

OP posts:
katierocket · 13/10/2005 08:14

ionaming, my DS is 4 too and he often asked if there is a baby yet in my tummy. LIke you, everyone I know has 2 or more children, I feel like the only one.

Original poster
ionaming · 13/10/2005 13:15

Katierocket, I get the same thing from dd. I'm torn between being grateful that I am lucky enough to already have a child & being sad that we've been unable to give her a sibling. The age gap now will be at least 5 years & any future baby won't be much of a playmate for her .

Have you told your family that you are ttc again? We haven't, and they are always on our backs about having another one, how could we let dd be an only child, or when I'm cuddling my baby nephew "a baby suits you" etc etc. Grrrr . Personally I think it's none of their business & would put even more pressure on us if everyone knew we were trying again, especially after we conceived dd so easily. I wouldn't dream of telling people that they must have another child!

OP posts:
homemama · 13/10/2005 19:11

Ionaming, thank for that. That would be helpful.

katierocket · 14/10/2005 10:25

ionaming, we will have at least 5 years too and it used to really worry me (in fact I was obsessed with it!) but I have to say that I'm not so concerned about that now. An old friend of mine had the same problem and she has 6 years between her children. The oldest adores his little sister and is very caring towards here. Also, I think we they become adults age is largely irrelevant - there is 9 years between me and my oldest brother and we get on really well now. But I do know what you mean, it's very hard isn't it. Like you say, I try to count my blessings that I have DS but I'm so desperate for another. My BF told me the other day that she is pregnant with her 3rd, first time of trying and she's 3 years older than me. I am pleased for her but it is so frustrating.

My family do know we've been trying for 18 months but I'm a 'wear my heart on my sleeve' kind of person so find it difficult to hide these things.
Are you seeing a private consultant?
We got pregnant with DS first time of trying, sounds like you found it easy first time too. I've pretty much given up hope that it will happen naturally and have resigned myself to IUI as next step.
x

Original poster
ionaming · 14/10/2005 10:33

Hi Katierocket, no we're seeing the consultant on the NHS - can't afford private treatment. I think it might be a long wait though, which is why I wanted to try reflexology or accupuncture in the meantime. Wishing you lots of luck with your IUI when you start it.... know of a few success stories there

OP posts:
jane313 · 14/10/2005 10:40

I've tried both for my skin (psoriasis) and neither worked so I would be loathe to spend loads of money on any again. (Both practioners assured me that they had other patients who were virtually cured). of course fertitility problems are a different kettle of fish but at £35-£40 a session around here its a big investment.

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