First IUI failed not reverting to trying naturally with Acupuncture

[nancy77]

I have just had AF appearing after first IUI treatment.
Even though I had every symptoms in the book (or online) there are in the past 2 ww. Hot flashes at night, nausea, headache, tingly nipples, breasts feeling full etc ... When AF started I had the worst kind of cramp I've ever experienced. I've also read that this is due to IUI. Last month has been a stressful month for me as threatened with redundancy at work (was ok in the end, phew), had to go on a 3 days course with an exam at the end for work, attending endless appointments for IUI, feeing stressed/guilty about missing work for appointments + had to inject myself for the first time ever without dh as he was away on a stag do.... I'm not surprised first IUIs have a particular low success rates. I think all these factors can contribute to more stress on top of everything else in our busy lives!
I am no looking in to having some acupuncture sessions before embarking on another IUI, I think it may just help me to relax and possibly hopefully will lead to a natural conception. Also, it's Christmas soon so could do with not throwing another £1000 as we are funding privately. I am 37 and been ttc for 1 year and 3 months. Always thought acupuncture was a tad silly way to conceive .. however, after reading so much success stories online, now I'm convinced!
I am not sure if I should just do the acupuncture or combine it with another iui... Has either worked for anyone?

Hi nancy,

So sorry to hear about your failed IUI. I too have high stress levels and I am on CD54 with no ovulation. I started acupuncture this week as I am desperate to kickstart some kind of activity down there. I would even take an AF now just so that I am not stuck in limbo.

So 1 session into acupuncture, I can't tell you if this works or not yet, but what I can tell you is thatin that 45 minutes, I have never felt so peaceful. I forgot I was in the room and not even sure if I was still awake towards the end. I was completely relaxed and was for the next 24/36 hours. It was lovely. I am also going to do a course of Chinese herbs that he is preparing for me this week.

The one thing that I didn't consider when choosing an acupuncturist was his expertise areas, I just thought acupuncture was an expertise in itself. Most importantly I am VERY comfortable with the practioner so I think this holds great value too.

Please let me know if you decide to go ahead and how you get on! Lots of luck

Hi cantbelieve
Thank you for taking the time to talk to me.
You sounds like you met the practitioner of your life! Lucky you.
I had a chat with dh tonight and we just can't decide what to do as the next step. I will call the clinic tomorrow and set up a follow up consultation for the failed IUI. Not sure what they can offer me other than to say do I want more IUI or move over to IVF. This is another dilemma. We are seriously considering IVF rather than doing another IUI as it has a much higher success rate. In any case I will definitely give acupuncture a go..! Do you live in London by any chance? If so can you recommend a good practice.. I did have a read through other threads on acupuncturists in London, so have emailed a few places already but would be handy to know more.
I just wish someone could have told us that conceiving can be quite so hard, like when we got married 3 years ago.. was silly of us to not have started ttc then. I will update with how my first experience of acupuncture went!
I'm very much looking forward to it actually!

I'm not in London sorry, near cardiff but if you post a thread asking for London practioners you will definitely be advised!

I considered IVF as both DH & I have fertility issues. However, we have been treating his and have recently seen a huge improvement. Took my eye off the ball with mine so concentrating on getting myself sorted now hence the acupuncture.

At first, I thought yes IVF, whatever it takes - we would have needed ICSI. Since we have made improvements to DHs spermies health, I think that we should do everything we can first of all before taking drastic measures. I like to think that I am quite open minded but I had always been very cynical about acupuncture and TCM but at the end of the day - it could mean that I can conceive naturally and regulate my cycle.. Let alone dave us £6k!

Tell me about it!! I was brought up to think that if I so much as saw a willy, I'd be pregnant... Not so!!

Yes, good luck with appt and let me know how you get on.

Lots of luck