Vitamins, acupuncture and other things to help!?

[Sharonl75]

Hi ladies

So, after my bfn last week I can’t stop thinking about what else I can try and do to help my follicles, eggs and embies along this journey. (And oh’s sperm!)

I’ve read about some of you having acupuncture. How do you find the right practitioner and any advice on what I should be looking for etc.?

Also does traditional Chinese medicine help? Not sure I fancy some of the herbs but if it helps I’m prepared to try it! Again-what or who do I look for??

Vitamin supplements? I’ve seen some recommend proxeed. Are there any others. Do any of your clinics recommend any in particular-for me and for hubby?

Is there anything else? Obviously eating healthy, getting sleep, trying not to stress (impossible!) and not smoking or drinking. Any suggestions you ladies have that might help -don’t care how wacky it sounds!!

Thank you.x

[Lilli79]

Hi Sharonl75 I'm sorry for your BFN and I understand you wanting to get back into it as soon as possible. Having tried both acupuncture and reflexology, I'd recommend reflexology but you might want to try both and see which you prefer. I would not recommend Chinese herbal medicine, I haven't tried it but apparently it does not interact well with ivf meds and is not recommended. You're obviously right with no smoking, drinking etc. but also try to avoid unhealthy foods like fast food etc. Being a healthy weight helps, but don't stress too much if a little overweight. We took the Pregnacare Him & Hers tablets. I know some ladies have said proxeed have helped with sperm quality but it's quite expensive so we stuck with the Pregnacare ones. It might have just been luck that we got better blastos on our 2nd round but things we changed were - I took co enzyme q10 supplements, both of us gave up meat and dairy, but husband continued to eat fish (& he took fish oils), upped our intake of antioxidant foods (especially spices) eg. turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, citrus fruits, greens, purple berries and purple veg. Not sure if any of this worked or just coincidence but can't do any harm ☺️

[Kathy_t]

I've taken Pregnacare for conception (his and hers so he takes a daily tablet too) and I have no idea if this helped at all but I read something about warm feet = warm uterus (Chinese medicine thing) and therefore somewhere a blasto would want to settle so I've worn socks for bed ever since ET and I got a positive test last week. Probably just a massive coincidence! Good luck! X

[Lilli79 in reply to Kathy_t]

Ah yes I forgot the cold feet thing. I also avoided eating really cold food, like ice cream. I was told to keep area around the uterus warm so I followed this religiously! 😊

[Looby25]

Hey, I’ve read lots about acupuncture and reflexology but never got to one myself! We were told to create a warm and relaxing environment at home, also lavender! I think I did lavender to death though lol, bed spray, candles all over the house, baths, essential oils, fresh lavender .... you name it I had it! Also I don’t know how into this stuff you are but I had fertility stones on an anklet (I have never been into this kind of thing but was willing to give anything a try) we got our positive in Dec, I have no idea if these things actually helped or whether placebo had an effect! Wishing you all the best 🤞🏻 and sending baby dust x x x

[Choctastic]

Hiya. I was really sceptical about accupunture but gave it a go and got our BFP. I didn't worry too much about food other than eating plenty of vegetables and a handful of Brazil nuts everyday after ET. I didn't stop eating all the stuff I love, just added in the veg and fruit on top. We went away the week before starting treatment for a break from things, totally let loose and even had a couple of glasses of wine. Only other thing I really did was wear socks in bed at night. I was the most relaxed id been this time round which i think is what helped more than anyrhing. Good luck for your next round! Xx

[Jojo_2017]

Hey

I did acupuncture in my last cycle & got a BFP. I found it gave me more energy and helped alleviate some of the symptoms of the drugs. I also found it comforting before & after transfer. In my 2ww I used a hot water bottle on my tummy & feet as I’m generally a very cold person.

I also had a few glasses of wine before starting treatment. I think you have to try to live life as normally as possible and treat yourself. I’ve eaten plenty chocolate over the past few months but I’m a healthy weight & eat a generally healthy diet . Xx

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

I searched for a fertility practitioner online and found one fairly close. She’s great! But first I just did a cheap groupon with someone else to check I could bear the needles (I could). Check they are registered with a professional body.

My clinic really strongly advises against Chinese medicine herbs and says it can lead to unexpectedly poor ivf outcomes so I steer well clear of those.