Acupuncture - experiences please!

[Nousername2015]

Hi, can anybody offer some good honest advice on acupuncture? Am currently weighing up whether to try some to help with anxiety.

2nd pregnancy - first was a 1st tri mmc. Currently 22+5 in what has so far been an easy, low risk pregnancy but just can't shake an overwhelming feeling that something awful is about to happen.
The first tri was understandably quite a stressful time (as it is for everyone), but this has only got worse after the dating scan was out of the way.
What I'm experiencing isn't anything new for anyone but I don't 'enjoy' being pregnant (despite pressure from my dh and family to do so) and am finding it tough to concentrate on non-pg related tasks. I'm also now obsessive about organisation and list-making, and have a tendency to flip if something doesn't go to plan. This also happened for a while shortly after I miscarried.
I've been reading about acupuncture being good for situations like this, and that it isn't risky in pregnancy. I just wondered if anyone else had acupuncture experiences to offer as I've never previously considered something like this. Thank you.

Hey I had acupuncture to help with PMS whilst TTC. I did conceive and found the acupuncture helpful for my mood- it is expensive. Based on what you've said I think you would benefit from seeing a councillor/ therapist. You obviously need someone to talk through your anxieties with. I doubt accupuncture would help with what you've described but I might be wrong. I also think it's kind of passive in that it's being done to you- whereas if you had time set aside every week with a therapist you could get help in coping with your anxiety. Wishing you all the best with it.

I had acupuncture after recurrent miscarriage and I absolutely loved it.

I'm on my 4th pregnancy after. 3 losses and I do think acupuncture played a part (I'm 21 weeks) and I saw one that specialises in fertility.

But I do agree you need to potentially look at talking to a therapist. For what it's worth, I'm struggling with being pregnant too

I had it to help with SPD in late pregnancy and it gave me the only pain free time (the effect was for a couple of days) I had for 6 months. It also did wonders for my very swollen feet. I've not had it for anxiety though

I did wonder about private therapy (nothing against nhs but I don't think waiting times would be on my side) but I don't feel deserving enough having only had 1 miscarriage in what I now know are common circumstances. Statistics mean nothing - I lost in the 9th week afyer seeing a hb where the risk is allegedly less than 2%. Someone has to be in that 2% though, just like every other tiny percentage where things go wrong.
But I will look into it again following your feedback - thank you.

brummie - I've seen you on other threads and I think you are amazing with what you have coped with. Congratulations and very best of luck to you with this pregnancy, it all sounds as if things are going very well.

Honestly? There's no positive clinical evidence for it at all. There is some negative evidence (I.e that sham needling or needling at different sites) is just as effective. It's not risky (as long as everything is clean) and if you find it relaxing then it'll do you the same amount of good as anything else you find relaxing.

It's totally understandable to be anxious after a miscarriage (my sympathies) and to feel like there's something hanging over you. Do you think you're coping with this by trying to exert control over the things you can control to try to overcome the things you can't? Hence the lists etc?

The core issue you're having is your anxiety and the way you're expressing it. For that I think I'd look at a form of therapy that deals with intrusive/incorrect thought patterns might help.

It's probably made worse by the feeling that you should be a glowing earth mother, radiant in your pregnancy - I've had a tough time this pregnancy and I've ended up realising that lots of us think pregnancy sucks. Please be under no pressure at all to play a role here - if you're upset and anxious, then your dh needs to know that, and be on board. Don't deny how you feel - acknowledging it is the first step to fixing it.

Anyway, in summary, acupuncture is woo, but harmless. You need to give your dh a good talking to and he needs to acknowledge your feelings, and you might want to look at some counselling.

Overall, be kind to yourself ... Pregnancy is wonderful, yes, but it can be physically and mentally hard.

I had acupuncture to help me get pregnant and I have continued to have it throughout my pregnancy. I think it has helped keep me calm and relaxed.
It would be a good idea to go to someone experienced as I think there are certain points that should not be used in pregnancy.
The acupuncture I've been having is based on 5 element theory and there is a lot of talking as well as the actual points so sometimes it can feel a bit like a counselling session!

Please don't feel you are undeserving of therapy it's just a tool to try and help you process and overcome your anxiety. Go for it

Thanks ammature. Following the kind advice on here I've booked a consultation with an antenatal/postnatal counsellor for next week. Am nervous but at least I will have given it a go.

I had acupuncture whilst ttc with a fertility specialist. In addition to believing the acupuncture physically helped (she sorted out a number of issues I had with my periods, which I thought were actually 'normal') my acupuncturist was brilliant to talk to & provided some 'me' time.
Sadly I found out at my 13week scan last Thursday that I'd had a mmc.
I'm already booked back in to see my acupuncturist next week as she can help with recovery from miscarriage & moving forward to ttc again.

hi, I had acupuncture for years and I believe it helped sort out a lot of issues for me. The usefulness and success of the treatment will hugely depend on who you choose to go to-my acupuncture lady was amazing (though very expensive)-part of the session was simply talking and the other part was actual acupuncture-one hour in total per session.
I would suggest before you decide to go to someone speak with them on the phone to see if you would feel comfortable, go check out the premises they operate from to get a feel for it -would you be happy going there every week/every other week? I think all that is very important- just because someone does acupuncture it does not mean they are right for you and your particular situation.

I think the talking part in my sessions was important for me-it is nice to be able to talk to someone independent and not connected to anyone you know (while not feeling like you are attending therapy).
My friend then went to see her as well with anxiety issues.

From your message maybe I would try some yoga or meditation/relaxation to complement this. Good luck and take care.

Minimal clinical evidence. On my midwife's advice - anxious older first-timer - I had it in late pregnancy to see if the baby could be encouraged into the right position, but no joy, and ended up with a CS. It was a pleasant experience, and the practitioner was lovely, but expensive. I'd be looking at counselling in your shoes. Best wishes.

I'm with redhead; I previously had a cycle that was too short to conceive (luteal phase not long enough?) but with acupuncture my cycle increased from 21-23 days to 26-28 days. My acupuncture lady is really lovely and we chatted about loads of different things, so yes, a form of therapy.

Now I'm 21 weeks pregnant and we are still friends. I'll be having acupuncture in my 3rd trimester getting ready for labour.

I had never tried acupuncture before but went to a fertility specialist (who used to be a midwife) as a last-ditch with an open mind. I lead a very busy life which at times can be very stressful (both of which I believe contributed to the delay in conceiving).

I had four sessions with her specifically for fertility and distress, and we feel pregnant.

I also whacked on acupressure wrist bands at the first sniff of morning sickness (which last two days!).

I am a complete advocate now and at 30 weeks will certainly be going back if I get truly uncomfortable towards the end :)

Good luck :)

Thanks everyone for sharing. I bit the bullet last week and went for a counselling consultation. It was really tough and very upsetting but I have made another appointment for this week. I have been a bit calmer this week but I have also hit the 24 week milestone so don't know if it is that. Still keeping an open mind about acupuncture but this anxiety is being caused by issues I need to deal with head on and counselling sounds like the better choice for that right now. Once again, thank you for sharing.