Accupunture.

[paperchase1]

Just wondered if any of you had tried accupuncture and become pregnant following it?

[DuelingFanjo]

Oh - looks like the name change didn't work there eh rubyred? not a very good advert for Ian Prytherch if it's him or someone who knows him who is trying to advertise on this thread!

anyway...

I have embryo transfer on Thursday and so have booked sessions with my acupuncturist just before and after the procedure. This is the right thing to do isn't it?

[iggi999]

Had my first shot at this this week, so interesting to hear your experiences. Was surprised at how much dietary stuff she said, I've to basically change my entire diet (like that is going to happen). My skin has felt itchy since, don't know if it's connected! Didn't find it relaxing at all, tbh. Expecting to ovulate this week, so we'll see what happens.

[barrenbrook]

Cheers, one of those things I guess, still shit though!

She's good, she does kind of explain what she's doing but I'm like you I never know what to ask, she just seems to offer up the info. She used to be a midwife so I think she's got a good bedside manner.

Likewise, best of luck with your sessions too, something's got to work soon! Think you have been on the TTC bandwagon for a while too.(I am a serial lurker, not a stalker I promise!)

[grapenuts]

I am very of these sorts things but after 3 months of ttc no3 with nothing, I gave it a whirl. And I have just got pregnant. I don't know if it did have anything to do with it but after each session (had 2 sessions before ovulation) had strong aching on both sides of pelvic area and then the most enormously massive ovulation pain which I never have had before.

Could be nothing to do with the acupuncture but I'm a convert.

[DuelingFanjo]

Sorry to hear about your Miscarriage.

Your acupuncturist sounds like she communicates with you loads. I find it hard to know what questions to ask and mine is pretty quiet. She doesn't really explain what she is doing and why.

Best of luck with these sessions. Hopefully we will have something to celebrate soon.

[barrenbrook]

Hi, mind if I join you? Have been lurking for a bit prior to having acupuncture sessions. You lot inspired me to give it a go .

I had two sessions, then had really strong ovulation pains and felt proper up for a shagfest, fell pregnant (after a year of trying) but unfortunately miscarried (m/c number 2)

Like you DuelingFanjo, acupuncturist said I need to eat healthy stuff to sort out my Qi as my kidneys were a bit pants.

Went back for a third session after m/c and she 'cleaned me out' (her words not mine!) to try again and told me to buy some progesterone cream to rub on in the second half of my cycle and to get some Vitex Agnus Castus for the first half.

I'm convinced that it helped me get pg, I just need the little bugger to stick but the beans keep falling out of my slack womb (perhaps I should change my mn name?!)

[DuelingFanjo]

Well, I had another session today and she put a pin in the top of my head. Wondering what that might have to do with fertility!

The internet worryingly says "Governing Vessel, point #20 of 28: GV20, Baihui - This acupuncture point is located at the top of the head. It is traditionally applied in the treatment of various mental disorders, and for problems that occur in the head"

eek.

[pointsmakeprizes]

Hello, had another session today, only had a needle in each foot and one on the arm today with a few in the head. Would have thought I would be having pins near the uterus, am due to ovulate and day now.

[DuelingFanjo]

Cozie - good attitiude.

I find teh relaxing thing a bit weird, specially during acupuncture. It doesn't hurt but it is a bizzare thing to be doing.

[Cozie]

I'm on session two of acupuncute , every other week at present booked in again for next sat but af due this Friday, also taken up yoga and self hypnosis as a relaxation programme, how many ppl I hear of, we gave up, relaxed a bit and what do ya know!! So this is my aim, to to 2 hrs a week active relaxation!

Perhaps when I go back next sat my af may nor have shown up!

Can't knock it til you've tried it xx

[holeymoley]

For those of you who might be interested there was an article in last Sundays "You" magazine (Daily Mail) about the use of accupuncture as an aid to conception in particular when undiagnosed fertility problems. Can not remember exact name of clinic but the practicioner was called Gerard and he was "attached" somehow to the Lister clinic. Lotss of encouraging case stories

[sh77]

Please could you tell me how you pay in London for your sessions. I used to live in Lancashire but now in Central London. My accupuncturist moved at the same time to London also (but to Walthamstow, which is far from central). He charges me 25 quid (and is excellent).

[DuelingFanjo]

Had my third session yesterday. She stuck a pin in my forehead. I think it was something to do with the third eye!

Also more in my wrists and calves. She says she will start the work on the reproductive areas next week.

She asks me if I feel different but it's really hard for me to say as I generally feel much better through being almost tee-total and eating so many healthy things.

[DuelingFanjo]

Ah bugger - the following is not good then:

"The food must be enjoyed. Rigid or boring diets are detrimental to the Spleen.
The preparation of food can be significant factor in its overall qi quality and benefit. It goes without
saying that meals prepared with pleasure and love, taste better than those that are store bought,
or made in haste of resentment."

[cluckyduck]

oops --->

this

[cluckyduck]

Hi, not sure if this will help at all, but it has some suggestions of other foods to try to help the Qi?

www.drcmolik.com/file_download/QI_DEFICIENCY.pdf

[DuelingFanjo]

Just bumping this in the hope that an acupuncturist can answer my question.

I have been told to eat more Root vegetables (Roasted) to help my Qi. I absoutely detest them, they are so so sweet when roasted.

Is there really any benefit to this? I have been forcing myself to eat them for the last 2 days but am worried that I won't be able to keep it up. Am much more of a lover of cabage, broccoli etc.

[DuelingFanjo]

OK, I have had my second and proper full acupuncture session. She put pins in my shins, wrists and bizzarely in my back!

I am not sure how I am supposed to feel but she did ask me how I felt after the last session and I didn't really know what to say as I basically felt no different to normal. This time the only thing I can say is I have had really bad wind. Is this a side effect?

She's given me a list of things she thinks I should eat - something to do with my Qi?

[northlondonchoclover]

Hi DuelingF - I had a very detailed conversation about my periods with acupuncturist too. Had to describe it. Funny that no GP has ever asked me that. Although it makes sense that your periods would be able to give some clues on fertility, thickness of lining etc.

[DuelingFanjo]

Thought I would report back about my first session. Was basically an hour of talking about everything from Sleep and periods to family relationships and what I do in my spare time. Then she looked at my tongue (a lot) said my mouth was very dry, took my pulse, stuck in two pins (In my shins/calf) and took my pulse loads more times. Took the pins out and then did the pulse again.

Seems I need work on my spleen and my liver, I am lethargic and have 'dampness'.

Didn't feel any side effects but I expect a lot more pins when I go back next week.

[AbiAbi]

I had my session on Thursday mornng and it was brilliant.

He felt my wrists before the session, and looked at my tongue, and said that he thought my kidneys were slightly out of whack, probably due to recent stress. He then did acupuncture to my legs and lower stomach (2 needles in each calf and 4 in my stomach) which didnt hurt at all, and actually was really relaxing. He left me for about 25 minutes then returned and did some cupping, which was fabulous! He finished off with a massage which was very vigorous, but felt so much better for it! It left me feeling extremely relaxed and positive, which was well worth the £35 alone I'd say!

Highly reccomend it to anyone.

[DitaVonCheese]

tigger This is very much not NW London, sorry, but I used the Leigham Practice in Streatham and they were very good (and the lady who gave me a lovely pedicure when I was pg is a MNer ). Very much SW but there is a train that goes from (I think - I used to get off in the City, sorry) Cricklewood/W Hampstead to Streatham, or you can go from Willesden Junction to Streatham Hill via Clapham Junction, so in the absence of any other replies hopefully this will be of some use.

[tigger15]

Has anyone used any in Hendon, Finchley or NW london generally they'd recommend and who does evening or sunday appointments?