I no longer trust "alternative" practitioners when it comes to fertility

[LuxFleur]

I used to be totally into herbs and acupuncture and homeopathy and even crystals and ALL of that. But the longer I have been on this path, the more I think it is all just hogwash. More often then not, I think it's just under-informed people on a power trip.

Soooo many practitioners like acupuncturists (not all of course but some) go around speaking with absolute authority on things they are totally wrong about, like what your thyroid levels need to be for pregnancy. So many opinions! Scaring you for no reason about things like bread if you've never once in your life had any problems with bread. Claiming that dairy is bad when studies have shown that full fat dairy increases fertility. All this crap about making people feel paranoid that they are eating "energetically cold" foods, or that if they think the wrong kind of thoughts that the procedure won't work.

I just need to vent for a second, because I am so tired of everyone and their Aunt Margaret having a crazy opinion about what I am doing wrong. Last week I nearly had a panic attack because I ate ice cream and worried about the sugar, and maybe the fact that it is cold, even though it was in the middle of a heat wave here. It was so hot that I could barely sleep and yet I was worried about a cod food.

I have come to the personal conclusion that all of that stuff is placebo. And if it stresses you out and therefore causes a decline in your wellbeing, it's actually hurting and not helping. People talk to women who are TTC and pregnant women like they are stupid. When I was pregnant earlier this year, my nurse EVERY DAY would lecture me about how I was "hurting my baby" if I stressed out even a little bit, and she would not stop even though I told her that SHE was stressing me out more than anything else in my life. She came each evening to give injections.

When I had my miscarriage it was because of trisomy 15 (we had the tests). It was something that happened at the embryo forming stage, and yet I'm sure she thinks I miscarried due to stress. She thought I should be vegan and had a lot of paranoid theories.

Anyway just ranting. I feel like women in our position get preyed on and it's not only SO expensive, but totally demoralizing. Let me just tell you that YOU ARE DOING GREAT.

[RubyVet]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[Maisie234]

I literally contacted a place yesterday to start acupuncture but I've changed my mind. Its more to do with money, although it's not extortionate cost for acupuncture, its just one more thing in an already expensive process! Where does it end. If it was all free - yes go on. I did do reiki before and I was pregnant for a while. Who knows what works. Everything in moderation is probably the best way.This time I've taken time off work and see what happens when I am not stressed. You'll be fine, it sounds like you know what you need so just keep looking after number 1 X

[LuxFleur in reply to Maisie234]

Totally. If it's available to you and you like it, that is great, you know? And even though I'm ranting like this I still half believe that if only I had meditated from dawn until dusk by chanting with monks that it would work. Xx

[AuroraXen]

I agree, there is way too much pressure on women in these situations. You take every supplement under the sun, do all the treatments, all the extras, obsess over diet...so hard. I've been doing acupuncture since Autumn and have a lovely practitioner who is very good: she'll offer advice is I ask for it, but is never pushy or proscriptive. I have no idea if it will actually do me some good, but she did manage to improve my BBTs post ovulation and make that all a bit smoother, which gives me comfort when we're trying naturally. I'm vegetarian and probably don't get enough protein and iron generally, in normal daily life, so I've made a conscious effort this whole cycle to watch what I eat but mainly to boost my levels of food rich in iron and protein. Flipping spoonfuls at a time of vegan 'cheese' which is quite high in protein; tofu and tempeh (former ok, not a fan of the latter!) up the wazoo; lots of seeds and nuts etc. Will any of it work? Who knows 😪🙄 In my case it makes sense to try to boost those good foods, as I probably DON'T get enough. But I also had an ice lolly the other night, and didn't stress about it. I'll be having an Indian meal on Friday as food is pretty much the only treat out there these days and I never get super hot stuff, just biryanis and snack food sort of things. I think a bit of balance is vital, personally, to keep me sane. I'm sorry about your nurses attitude when you were pregnant LuxFleur... that's really so unhelpful 😢 x

[LuxFleur in reply to AuroraXen]

That's so great that you've got a practitioner who helps you. And of course, leading a healthier life is good too. Trying to eat balanced. I definitely try to up my protein as well during the process. Thanks for the moral support! Xx

[Purpledoggy]

If being stressed when pregnant hurts the baby then no one would ever have them! What a thoroughly unhelpful thing to tell you. Sending you hugs xx

[Hidden]

🙌🏼🙌🏼 So true!!!!!!And how many of you have been told to “put your knees up” when TTC in case your “position is wrong” 🙄

[XOXO13 in reply to Hidden]

Or legs in the air for 20 minutes… 😂 I think I’ve tried every single trick in the book; eaten everything I should, avoided alcohol for a year +, exercised lightly not too intensely, did reflexology, acupuncture, ate Brazil nuts, drank pom juice, ate pineapple and McDonald’s chips post transfer. NOTHING so far! Though I have to say that with this cycle, I’m still sticking to a few things but I’ve allowed myself to try be a little more relaxed otherwise it becomes stressful just trying to avoid everything! Xx

[Hidden in reply to XOXO13]

I so agree with you - I think it creates stress trying to be so perfect! People often say how they conceived when they gave up TTC! You’re doing the right thing hun. Wishing you all the luck in your journey x

[XOXO13 in reply to Hidden]

Thank youuuu… so close to egg retrieval number two eek! Any day now 🤞🏻🤞🏻🍀🍀 xxx

[Hidden in reply to XOXO13]

Keep us posted 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼 Xx

[XOXO13 in reply to Hidden]

Will do eek 🤞🏻🍀🤞🏻 Xx

[LuxFleur in reply to XOXO13]

HAHAHA yes! I literally used to STAND ON MY HEAD!

[XOXO13 in reply to LuxFleur]

Oh the things we do… 😂

[Hidden in reply to LuxFleur]

Haha - and no pee’ing for a few hours after!!! 🤣

[XOXO13 in reply to Hidden]

So funny 😂

[Crazy_girl]

Makes me wonder why life can’t be simple! We try so many things while on this journey with all honesty and uncertainty haunts us all the time!

I am a very strong believer in accupuncture. It really did help me to relax and set right my eating habits, sleep patterns, understanding my ovulation cycles better etc. I would diligently go to every session, follow all suggestions. I can’t deny that it all adds up to the expense that we are already baring.

Imagine all the time we take to even read up stuff online, start following them to the T, go over to all kinds of therapies. At that point in time, due to the belief we just carry on doing things(not that it doesn’t help..it has been proven and worked for a lot of people..are we the lucky ones as well? Never know)

Sometimes overthinking also causes stress but we are no way thinking that not trying any alternatives will help since we have no guarantee for that as well!