acupuncture/reflexology during IVF/ICSI

[Craftycakey15]

I am finally starting ICSI next week and was wondering if anyone has found acupuncture or reflexology helpful during the process? I recently started acupuncture and it's very relaxing. Can I have it during the daily injection stage? Or will I feel too ill? Or will it be helpful? I have heard of increased success rates too?

Hi Crafty,
I had acupuncture for 2 years of my (much longer than that) IVF cycles & it did absolutely nothing for me.

BUT I wouldn't rule it out as psychology for me it did make me feel I was doing something productive & positive that was away from drugs.

From memory I certainly had acupuncture during the injections up to a week before the egg collection but most definitely not between that and the transfer. As far as I remember, I wasnt allowed a session durjng the 2ww.

I hope this cycle works for you

Thanks for the reply Elsie. I will bear that in mind once I start injections next week. Maybe I will just have one next week and leave it. I have booked reflexology session as I find that so relaxing. Right now I'm feeling anxious about it all so the therapies will just be for relaxation. I asked because I have heard of acupuncture improving success rates.

I had acupuncture in my first and successful ivf cycle. I had it straight after embryo transfer, I think you're supposed to have it in within a couple of hours for it to be most effective, I then had another session 7dp5dt. Who knows if it helped but it made me feel better! I decided I wasn't going to get stressed out whether they could fit me in for a session or not. Hope it all goes well!

Floweroct2, good to hear! Did the fertility clinic do it? My acupuncturist is not near the fertility clinic. I know a lot do offer acupuncture and I can find out if mine does. I think it does.

When you had it on 7dp5dt did the acupuncturist put needles on your tummy and ovary area? When I have had acupuncture in the past (ttc-ing) the acupuncturist never puts needles on the front of my body (as normal) after ovulation/during period; I have to turn over and have it done on my back.

I am glad it was successful for you! I hope I have a little baby soon!

I don't think there's any scientific evidence that it has an effect and it's another expense on top of the fertility treatment.

In 2008 the BMJ published a peer reviewed article which you can find here www.bmj.com/content/336/7643/545

The conclusion was:

Conclusions Current preliminary evidence suggests that acupuncture given with embryo transfer improves rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation.

Op speak with consultant first. I start my second round at the end of this month, 1st round successful, snd my both times I've been advised not to use acupuncture.

I had reflexology during my FET and my 3rd cycle. It did nothing in terms of the treatment as they both failed but I found it extremely relaxing. I also found it quite therapeutic discussing the treatment and chatting about life in general with my reflexologist. It can work out quite prices but I'd say if you can afford it then go for it!

It wasn't done by my clinic as I had ivf on nhs so used a lady connected to a private clinic. She didn't use any needles near my tummy just in my head and legs I think. I think it's very personal decision there is some evidence but others don't agree. I just felt after three miscarriages and various fertility treatment that I wanted to throw everything at it. I can't say it was definitely the acupuncture that helped I could have got to the same end point without it but who knows! But def check with your consultant. As others have said I found talking to the acupuncturist relaxing and a positive experience as well. Best of luck!

I had acupuncture all the way up until the embryo transfer. Many ladies were doing it straight after transfer as well but I just didn't want to take the risk
But what I did that I think helped was a tummy massage at neals yard (it's supposed to get the ovaries going )

Good luck x

Hi OP

I've had acupuncture over the last year. It's related to my infertility but as Chinese medicine takes a holistic view my acupuncturist has worked on a range if issues from tiredness and cold related to hypothyroidism, slow digestion etc. It has geuinely helped with those issues, particularly tiredness/low energy.

I had my first round of ivf this month (still in the 2ww so can't tell you if it's worked yet!). I tried not to worry about seeing her exactly when recommended, just when most practically possible for us given our schedules. That turned out to be day before egg collection (so glad I didn't go after egg collection, was in way too much pain) and just before embryo transfer. Maybe just after embryo transfer is better, but this was what we were able to schedule between us and it helped me feel relaxed and prepared for the treatments.

As I said though, don't know if it's worked yet!

Good luck woth your treatment.

Thanks all for the advice!

Anothertimemaybe at what point did you have the tummy massage? I can go to Neals Yard? Was it fertility massage?