First Acupuncture Appointment

[TSHconfusion]

Hi everyone, I have my first acupuncture appointment this evening ahead of a frozen transfer at the end of Feb. Can anyone tell me what to expect or where the needles might be placed? Will I need to take my clothes off or should I just wear a vest top etc?

my lining has thickened well etc for previous transfers so not sure what it will really help but willing to give anything a go!

Hi @TSHconfusion I've been doing acupuncture for a while and approaches vary but my current acupuncturist puts needles at specific points in legs, abdomen, hands and head and leaves them for a while. Sometimes they are a bit of a sharp shock going in but v brief and not painful. I'd say wear loose trousers you can unbotton or pull down as if you're wearing something tight fitting could be access issues! My old acupuncturist often did points in my back do I'd just sit there in my bra (usually an old gross one but neither of us cared!)

@Orangewillow thanks for your reply! I’ll make sure to just wear something loose on both then as I’d usually be in leggings.

Can I ask how often you have had it before transfers etc? Have you mainly used it for relaxation?

I’m looking forward to seeing what it’s like

@TSHconfusion I started doing it after a TFMR to help with anxiety and PTSD but also to help with TTC naturally, I've carried on with it to support through 2 egg collections and I'm hopefully gearing up for a FET now, having had one cancelled earlier this month as my lining was too thin. Really hoping this 2nd attempt goes ahead! I've been having acupuncture weekly since early jan and if I can will try and have appointments before transfer and the day after, although it'll probably fall on days my acupuncturist doesn't have appointments!

I've found it helpful for stress and relaxation, hopefully it's doing something for my lining too! Both acupuncturists I've seen are fertility specialists and have also been really helpful offering more holistic support or giving me advice when doctors were unhelpful, such as thyroid issues which I didn't even know were a problem as my gp had no idea, but I'm now on meds for

@Orangewillow I’m sorry to hear you’ve had a tough journey so far. Fingers crossed al with go well with your FET 🤞🏼

yes mine specialises in fertility also so hopefully she can offer some good support. I also had slightly high TSH so have been taking levothyroxine for it and also trying to eat 2 Brazil nuts a day as they have the daily intake of selenium which is good for thyroid health

Thank you! Oh yes I've also been on the Brazil nuts, plus pomegranate and beetroot juice (gross) but if it might help, I'm in!

@Orangewillow Yes same here! I just did the beetroot juice last time so going to try mixing it with pom juice this time will hopefully dilute the taste a bit lol

I always strip to thong and bra

so relaxing and you’ll be all wrapped up in heated blankets

expect leg , abdomen, foot and maybe head points

warm comfy clothes so can get cozy afterwards

@Rebekah77 perfect thanks!! Have you used it in lead up to treatment before?

Yes for the past 18 months

for the last 18 months in prep

now gone to once a month then will increase

really helps with my pain levels