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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.

What happens at acupuncture? Well now I know

11 replies

VintageNancy · 13/05/2011 19:54

First a little background. I'm 31, almost 32, have been TTC since November for baby number 1. Husband is 37. Haven't had any investigations and husband thinks there's nothing to worry about but I was getting obsessed and stressed so I decided to investigate alternative therapies as I knew my GP wouldn't do anything yet.

So I found an acupuncturist and had my first appointment on Friday. It was about 1hr15 and we started with lots of questions about my medical history, my cycles etc. Turns out that whilst I thought my cycles were regular but when I read them out, every single cycle has been a different length. Plus my luteal phase might not be long enough (although I've read here that 12 days is absolutely fine). She also checked my pulse and my tongue - which showed anxiety apparently. She asked lots of things about whether I had IBS type symptoms and thrush (yes and yes) so that means I have fungus (nice).

The needles themselves were stuck in after I'd been there about 45 mins and were left to work for 20 mins. There were in my legs, wrists and in the centre of my forehead. One felt a bit uncomfortable (in my wrist) so she adjusted it. But I couldn't even feel the rest of them and when they came out there was the smallest mark left behind that I could hardly see.

I found it all really interesting and it was great to talk everything through with someone. I'm not sure if it's coincidence/placebo but I slept like a log that night.

I've got my next appointment next week and we'll be gearing up for ovulation.

Sorry for the essay but I thought it might be helpful for someone who was thinking about giving it a go. I'd love to hear other people's experiences too.

OP posts:
Bexamundo · 13/05/2011 19:56

Hmm I'm considering it so thanks for the info. May I be a bit nosy and ask how much it costs?

eurochick · 14/05/2011 09:21

Bex, I am having acupuncture as well and my acupuncturist charges 70 quid for the first session and 50 quid for subsequent sessions (the first session is longer because of the discussion of your medical history). This is in Central London. They recommend you go every week for the first cycle so they see you at each stage of it, then they decide where to concentrate their efforts in the cycle. I am now at 2 sessions per month.

I have just had my 5th session and in my first cycle with acupuncture, I noticed three distinct changes: my LH surge was 3 days rather than the 1 it usually is (the ov pains that accompanied it also lasted longer than usual), my luteal phase went form 11 to 12 days and my period was very different (TMI alert - it was very red and liquid instead of dark and clotty, and also shorter than usual), I went into acupuncture not really expecting much and if anything some very gradual changes so I am quite surprised to notice very distinct changes so quickly. No BFP yet though but I will stick with it for a while. At least I feel like I am doing something while the wheels of the NHS grind slowly on!

VintageNancy · 14/05/2011 09:27

Bex - it was £42 for the first session - I'm not sure how much the next one is (probably should've asked!). I'm in East Anglia.

Euro - great to hear it's making a difference. My husband is quite dubious about it all but he's letting me get on with it. I'm looking forward to the appointment next week.

OP posts:
Spirita · 14/05/2011 15:46

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Bexamundo · 15/05/2011 09:19

Tbh if it works I'm willing to pay! Still.cheaper than private fertility consultation isn't it?!

Bexamundo · 15/05/2011 09:31

Just found out at my local uni they offer a Free consultation and sessions are £12 a session £50 for 5. Sounds good to me! Will look into it. Would appreciate continue feedback as your sessions continue!

CaveMum · 15/05/2011 09:58

I'm thinking about trying acupuncture so this is an interesting thread for me. In the last few months I've been diagnosed with PCOS and a blocked Fallopian tube. I'm having an operation in July to have a look at the blocked tube and after that my consultant will be putting me on Clomid.
I'm pretty much at the point of giving anything a go - I haven't had a natural (non-chemically induced) period in over a year!

joycep · 15/05/2011 12:36

I became desperate at start of year and went to acupuncture. I was charged the same as Eurochick in central London. I did it for 3 months. It was for a short LP but unfortunately it didn't help that part. But I think it made my AFs less crampy and heavy. I did find it relaxing

eurochick · 15/05/2011 14:22

CaveMum as you probably know, acupuncture can't do anything for structural problems (i.e. blocked tubes) but can help with imbalances (such as PCOS). A lot of people use it alongside other fertility treatment.

CaveMum · 15/05/2011 21:49

eurochick thanks for the advice. I'm hoping the operation will sort out the blocked tube and I figure I have nothing to lose on the PCOS front by giving it a go. Hopefully it will also help with my stress levels as I've been getting very down about the whole situation. I'm only 30 and in good general health: it never even occurred to me that I might have trouble conceiving Sad

eurochick · 15/05/2011 22:01

I have PCOS as well. As you can see from my post above, it seems to be doing something but it hasn't got me a BFP yet (but I am only partway through my second acupuncture cycle so it's early days).

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