How often did you have acupuncture during your ivf ?

[PinkMandalorian]

I'm starting stims next week. Short protocol so I'm only stimming for a week and then doing a freeze all and FET but won't be until January when I have my FET.
My acupuncturist suggests seeing her weekly but tbh I cannot really afford this and it will be a stretch.

I'm just wondering when is the most important time to have it?
I've already done 2 sessions.
One yesterday and one 2 weeks ago.
She wants to see me next week again and week after that. I'm thinking of maybe cancelling next week and just having the one session same week as collection . My session next week would be 3 days before stims starts. What's your advice?
Should I stick to having weekly sessions until collection?

I want to stick at it but preferably at the most important times just . I've already wasted £100 on past 2 sessions and I'm not stimming yet

Honestly? I would save your money and put it towards other IVF stuff/treats for you during IVF/the future. But if you really want to do it, apparently having it the day you have an embryo placed is the best time.

I had loads of acupuncture in the months leading up to my first cycle and during, and I got much better results from my second cycle when I didn't have any and relaxed a bit. I think the evidence that it has a positive effect is scarce.

I don't mean to be negative, I know lots of women find it really relaxing which is reason enough to do it. Good luck!

I’m afraid I have to agree with @countrypunk .. I did it every week for 3 months and during iui treatment but I had no success. Now I’m doing ivf and I haven’t bothered with acupuncture. I do think it’s very relaxing but it’s so expensive and there’s clearly no guarantee with it so I decided not to continue.

Best of luck with your treatment!! @PinkMandalorian

Thanks guys. I'm not expecting miracle with regards to it improving the outcome but after my first two sessions I've found definite positive results.
I don't particularly find it relaxing, I can't see how anyone finds being proded with needles a relaxing experience however its just more to have good blood flow moving around at the right time.
After just one session I ovulated a few days after it on cycle day 15.. which I don't find a coincidence as I don't ovulate monthly. I have pcos and ovulate day 50+minimum or not for months ( hence why we need ivf treatment ) I also noticed a major improvement In pin and needles in my arms and legs so I definitely don't want to completely discontinue doing acupuncture but my acupuncturist is obviously going to advise me weekly as it lines her pockets. I might just do one more session the week of collection and leave it until my transfer date in that case.
Your completely right ivf is insanely expensive enough. I guess I was hoping that the blood flow would just help things work better as I know its proven for that. My concern is that one of the side effects of the OI meds I was on is restricted blood flow to the uterus and my periods became really whack on the meds. Super light and clotting which I feel is probably not a good thing for a potential embryo

Hi @PinkMandalorian a bit of a different situation for me, as we were NHS funded, had IVF just after lockdown eased (and so had saved a fair amount from never being able to do anything), and I actually find acupuncture super relaxing... So I went weekly in the run up to my IVF rounds, still weekly during down regulation, twice weekly during stims, and then before and after embryo transfer.

Having said that, I did exactly the same for 2 rounds, 1 was unsuccessful and 1 worked, so although I believe there are benefits (such as better blood flow as your said) I don't think acupuncture made any difference to the outcome - I had started during lockdown as it was one of the few 'activities' that were allowed since it's considered medical, and I continued because I really enjoyed the sessions (and I was willing to try anything at that point). So I definitely wouldn't feel bad for cutting down on the frequency of sessions.

Best time and recommended is the morning of transfer and after transfer.

I have only had 3 sessions, 2 of which were the above as I contacted an acupuncturist after starting the meds for a FET when feeling stressed. All very recent so can't tell you the outcome.

I did ask would it still be beneficial if I haven't been doing it weekly for the months leading up to it and she said yes as it's about helping bloodflow to the uterus