Acupuncture for fertility

[A1b2c3d4e5f6g7]

I've just started acupuncture and am two sessions in. Was wondering if anyone had any experiences on it they could share, and how long its worth continuing it for?

@choccrumpet I'm woth @a1b2... i hope this is it for you too 😊 but if not we can go through all the tests together! My husband has his 2nd SA on the 23rd, if they 'cant' analyse this one I have no idea what the next step is 🤣 x

Thanks @beckyCarlos ! It really sounds like it's not on him so if it happens again I'd have to question it properly!! Hopefully this one is good enough, your poor husband 🤣

@beckyCarlos how are you doing?

Wanted to update this thread, I got a faint positive test this morning at 9DPO. Cautiously optimistic but also preparing for the worst. Period is due on Sunday so that will be the first big milestone to pass. I had acupuncture today and she did some points to help strengthen my immune system (I got the vaccine yesterday and that's affected my pulse), help with energy levels, nausea and sleep.

Oh my gosh @choccrumpet that is so exciting!!!! Everything crossed for you!!!!

Call with the fertility clinic was nice. He seemed like a nice and jovial man, and was good to actually speak to a consultant and get a first pass at things. But. Apparently my FSH is high, its not 100% dire, but it ain't good (was drawn on day 1 of my period but not sure thst would affect it too much)...I've spent a lot of the day on google and mumsnet and all the advice seems to be 'its not great but its only one measure so dont panic too much' which is pretty much what the Dr said.

Next steps are ultrasound to count how many folicles (/eggs?) Are growing and preparing, and an AMH test to get better info on my reserve. Things I have on my side: good LH levels, age (I'm 'only' 33 which is still good in terms of not being 35+ 🤣), and that I have regular periods and positive OPKs.

I've read a lot that says FSH is a hugely changeable hormobe, but they always operate on your worst result, but who knows. It doesnt mean my quality is bad and it doesn't mean I can't get pregnant naturally (and doesnt automatically rule out IVF either).

Im taking my best advice and not having a 5 alarm meltdown until a) we have husbands sperm analysis b) I've had my AMH and c) I've had my ultrasound. Continuing acupuncture, yoga, and having as much sex as is possible 🤣

Jesus sorry this is so long! X

Thank you @beckyCarlos

Glad your appointment went well! I felt a sense of relief that someone was taking me seriously and listening during mine. It's positive that they know this now and can take appropriate action but you are right about trying not to stress too much about it as there's still a few results outstanding to help give a fuller picture of things. When is your next test / appointment?

I'll have to wait and see if I pass my period due date or not and then might have to contact my fertility clinic at some point, I'm not sure what the process would be there. I was just about to start all my bloods too so need to see how things pan out.

You must be about 3dpo now? Obviously too early to test but how are you feeling about things?

I did it for about 9 months. Once a week. I had 4 rounds of unsuccessful IVf and still have no baby. It did appear to regulate my cycle a bit - periods went from 28-38 day cycle to a more steady 30 and between period spotting reduced. That could also have been because of my improved lifestyle in prep for ivf though I suppose. Bottom line for me is I don't think it was worth the money and towards the end I actively dreaded it because it felt like another invasive thing I was doing to my body.

If anyone here is in commuting distance to Solihull west mids. Michael Gorman all the way. Saw one acupuncturist for 6 months and nada, saw him for 3 and bam pregnant and I’d been told I’d need ivf +icsi. He’s helped nearly 1000 women who were told they’d never conceive have a baby.

@sleeplessem I'm in Yorkshire, but your story gives me hope anyway!

@choccrumpet the amount I've googled today, all I'm seeing is success stories where all is not lost and its 100% about quality, which the ultrasound and AMH should be a better indicator of. Just waiting for a call from the admin team to arrange the tests, I'll give them a bell on Monday if I havent heard anything by then (still waiting on some consent forms).

Basically though, I'm never one for being told something and I can't do anything about it, so figure the acupuncture (which if nothing else is massively calming me), is certainly not going to hurt my chances of concieving naturally and/or balancing my hormones.

Yeah I'm 3dpo, normally have sore boobs by now but nothing yet which I'd think is the acupuncture working 😊

God this is huge again, sorry! Long and emotional day 🤣 x

@TaylorStan thank you. Completely agree, I think if it ever gets to the point where it's a hassle to go or you actively don't want to go, it's not worth it. Hopefully a lot of what it's doing for us is chilling is out and an enjoyable was to spend 40 minutes

@Sleeplessem glad it worked for you! Agree, it looks like skill of the acupuncturist is really important

@choccrumpet very exciting!! Eek! X

@beckyCarlos I'm similar to you in that I can't sit back, I try to find things I can do that might help. That's why I love acupuncture, it made me feel like I was doing something that would help either way.

Fingers crossed your next appointment helps or brings more useful info.

And sounds like acupuncture is helping with symptoms 🤞🏼

Haha not too long, get it out, you need to debrief and get it out too!

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 🤞🏼🤗

Thanks @chocrumpet 😊 today I feel quite feisty and have decided that 'I am beckycarlos, I am not a statistic, take your FSH, and shove it' 🤣 followed by 'my boobs are still not sore so something must be changing, up yours hormones'. Well aware I could be back in a pit of pity by tomorrow but I'm rolling with the positivity while its here! X

@choccrumpet i see you got a great line today!! Really nice progression 🥳

@beckyCarlos have you read It Starts With the Egg? Have to say I found it eye opening and really useful. I'm over 35 and had had a previous miscarriage, so was really focusing on improving my eggs, hormone levels, partners sperm etc but I'd have loved to have come across this book a few months ago and think it would have really helped me

I've been doing weekly acupuncture sessions for 3 months. Feeling a bit disheartened as I'm yet to see my BFP. Thinking about changing places.
Is anyone in Scotland who can recommend a good acupuncturist with successful stories?

[quote A1b2c3d4e5f6g7]@choccrumpet i see you got a great line today!! Really nice progression 🥳

@beckyCarlos have you read It Starts With the Egg? Have to say I found it eye opening and really useful. I'm over 35 and had had a previous miscarriage, so was really focusing on improving my eggs, hormone levels, partners sperm etc but I'd have loved to have come across this book a few months ago and think it would have really helped me [/quote]
Ooh no I havent...I'm amazon priming it now! X x

@Angie887

I've been doing weekly acupuncture sessions for 3 months. Feeling a bit disheartened as I'm yet to see my BFP. Thinking about changing places. Is anyone in Scotland who can recommend a good acupuncturist with successful stories?

Hi Angie! I'm sorry I'm only in Yorkshire, but I was recommended to search for a Zita West recommended acupuncturist, and my local one gets very good reviews. You can search on the Zita West website 😊 x

@Angie887 I also went for a Zita West one. Also checked partners sperm count on a cheap boots sperm test kit because of there are male issues it wouldn't be effective on me

Thank you for this information. I've just checked and my current acupuncturist is accredited by zita. I think I have to persist. 😁

@angie887 definitely look at male factor things as well, we're pending a semen analysis ourselves. But a change is as good as a rest as they say so you might want to look for a different acupuncturist. Have you had any investigations for yourself? It might be worth getting some basic tests done just for a bit of reassurance x

@beckyCarlos I'm using a donor who's been tested so I'm sure it's not a male factor. I did a whole fertility check-up in a fertility clinic and bloods were normal but they did find a small fibroid during my scan which they thought it wouldn't be an issue. I went for a second fertility check up at a different fertility clinic because I wanted a second opinion and doctor thought it was best to get fibroid removed as this was the only thing they could find wrong . I had histerescopy last month and removed the fibroid. This is my first cycle ttc after the procedure so I'm hoping I can finally see a BFP. I already have 2 children who were conceived first attempt when I was much younger so this whole situation is so frustrating.

How long have you been ttc?

@beckyCarlos that's the best mood to be in to deal with all of this but it's also okay to feel sad / angry etc, so take advantage of it whilst you're feeling this way!

@Angie887 that sounds frustrating, I don't blame you for feeling that way. A change might be a good idea, you might find another acupuncturist that you like even more. And like @beckyCarlos said having even just basic investigations might be helpful to either rule things out or to pick up on something that isn't right.

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 thank you 🤗

These are my tests from yesterday and bottom one is today. Still feels surreal

@Angie887 I'm sorry it's been difficult for you! It's good that you got the fibroid removed so hopefully everything is good in there now. You were so lucky to conceive first time both times! We've been trying for 11 months now and have had lots of chemical losses, finally seeing a positive this month so it's still quite early but I went into ttc completely oblivious as to how difficult it will be, how long it would take etc. I knew nothing before trying. It's been extremely difficult mentally but I feel like I've come out on the other side the past month or so. Remember that every cycle even if you do everything right there is a 20% or less chance of conceiving. It doesn't make it any easier but helps to put things into context. I hope it'll happen any cycle for you now 💕

@choccrumpet this whole situation made me appreciate things that I'd normally take for granted . I know it'll eventually happen as I know what my body is capable of, I just have to be patient. Easier said than done as when I want something I want it now 😂

Those lines in your test are beautiful
Very strong for 10 dpo. Wow 11 months trying? I'd be banging my head against the wall 😂. Well done for remaining strong. I've been ttc for 3 months and I'm already feeling it. Congratulations 🎊🎉👏Hope you have a sticky bean there ❤️

I'm sorry I haven't read the whole thread. I came off the pill a few years ago and by day 70 still didn't have my period so o started acupuncture and my period did return quickly after that and I got pregnant first cycle. Obviously I have no idea if it would have returned without acupuncture anyway. However I have also recently come of the pill again and did not have acupuncture and my period returned in a month and I got pregnant again first cycle.