Acupuncture for IVF: Wondering if... - Fertility Network UK

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Acupuncture for IVF

Flossybubble profile image
20 Replies

Wondering if anyone has any experience with acupuncture for IVF/fertility.

I've had one session so far which was 3 days prior to my FET which was today, I have another session on Wednesday.

The experience was quite relaxing and soothing and I had an infrared light on my belly to warm the uterus lol.

Anyhoo let me know your thoughts xx

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Flossybubble
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20 Replies
Pnw2020 profile image
Pnw2020

HiI have had acupuncture prior to my cycles and after transfer. I find it strangely relaxing after the initial discomfort with the needle. If you find it helpful carry on but if I don’t think it would change the outcome.

I think they say no heat on uterus after transfer. Fingers crossed for you x

Flossybubble profile image
Flossybubble in reply to Pnw2020

Hi thanks for reply, yes she said no heat afterwards just the session prior. It's worth it for the little bit of relaxation I suppose. I'd try anything lol xx

Bella_Bee profile image
Bella_Bee

Did you have the two sessions before and after transfer today? That's what the big study which showed a positive link tested. I had about 5 sessions in total, including the 2 on transfer day and 3 during stimulation and I really enjoyed it. It's crazy expensive for what it is, but I thought fck it... I'm 14 weeks pregnant but I think if acupuncture had a role in it AT ALL, it was obviously minimal. Felt really nice though. I was on a long protocol and then stimulated for over 2 weeks so I felt like shit for an age but acu helped make me feel a bit more normal. Best of luck.

Flossybubble profile image
Flossybubble in reply to Bella_Bee

No I only had it once then I'm having it again in Wednesday, its not based at the clinic and was just a random thing I stumbled upon and tried last minute. It is expensive but helps as you say to feel relaxed especially of your an anxious person like me. I've currently got a head cold so coughing and sneezing and feel terrified of it dropping out lol which I know it wont but yano! N just had road rage so that's not helped with the stress!!

My transfer was painful again this time I loathe speculums and they struggled to pass the catheter I was squirming out the chair

😅Congrats on your BFP

😘

Bella_Bee profile image
Bella_Bee in reply to Flossybubble

Chill the fck out will ya! 🤣🤣🤣 You've had a long day! Get home, put your feet up and have a takeout.

I definitely know the feeling of being afraid to sneeze or cough.. Someone once described it to me as it being a grain of rice stuck inside a peanut butter sandwich which helped but I still cross my legs when I sneeze.. The human mind is a wonderful thing!

Yes they can't use gel for the transfer so it can be a bit uncomfortable. Sorry.. the shit we do eh??? 😘

Flossybubble profile image
Flossybubble in reply to Bella_Bee

I just hope it's all worth it lol. I like the peanut butter theory thays actually helped me feel like it's more secure lol! Any tips for the 2ww what did you do last time anything different?

I'm relaxed now got the fan on me to cool my ass down lol.

Is your next scan at 20 weeks? Xx

Bella_Bee profile image
Bella_Bee in reply to Flossybubble

I'll SHOW you what I did last time. Do not do this. Under any circumstances. Just don't start. I turned into a full on psychopath, and I didn't need much encouragement to begin with. Comparing every fckn line with the last one under the light.... Gave myself heart attacks almost each time as a friend of mine had a chemical 2 weeks before my transfer. I've also miscarried in the past so I spent the whole of the first trimester thinking it was going to slip away at any time..

Apart from this MADNESS, in the 2ww I took a few days of work, went for nice lunches, slept in, went on some walks, watched entire series on netflix... Essentially, I emptied my mind, had relatively healthy food and avoided ALL drama. I even uninstalled twitter and all social media. But I'm certain that nothing we do has an impact unless you're jumping out of planes for fun.. it's genetics and health conditions and luck. It's cruel and fckn miserable. You can tell I'm still not in a pregnant state of mind.. 🤣

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Bella_Bee profile image
Bella_Bee in reply to Bella_Bee

Oh and OF COURSE I can't wait to 20 weeks. I don't know how they expect women to wait 8 weeks (between 12 and 20) to see their baby when they've fought for years to make it happen??? I'm having a scan at 15 and then another at 18. Sorry, NOT sorry!

Flossybubble profile image
Flossybubble in reply to Bella_Bee

Wow you can see it from day 5!! It's hard to wait 2 weeks isn't it, last time I must of done 100 tests even after my period I mean wtf? So I'm determined now not to cave!! I work in gynae/early pregnancy so as you can imagine it's all too close to home, I've been off since my last failed in July!

Thanks for the advice. I'm just gonna take each day as it comes and try to chill, I've made lunch plans 😌 and done a cleaning list lol 😆 got new books and I'm searching netflix as we speak xx

Bella_Bee profile image
Bella_Bee in reply to Flossybubble

Sounds good. And keep that road rage in check 😅 PM me if you get bored. Happy to keep you company. 🍀🤞🍀🤞🍀🤞

Flossybubble profile image
Flossybubble in reply to Bella_Bee

Thank you chicken xx

Babywaiting profile image
Babywaiting

I have had accupuncture before and during every cycle i have ever had. I have had three singleton babies and am currently 36 weeks pregnant with twins. I am not saying this is some magic answer but if you have a good acupuncturist it will definitely help. The key is to finding someone good. Mine also did homeopathy too. I also found it great to go to someone each week who knew what I was going through. All the best. There is lots of sceience behind how it works. 😊

Nikkinikkit profile image
Nikkinikkit

I had acupuncture on the months leading up to our last try every week, then just before transfer and after, out of all of tries (3) our last fet we now have a healthy 10 month old. I would definitely recommend acupuncture I absolutely loved it. Good luck to you 💕

crisps88 profile image
crisps88

I had acupuncture for my first failed cycle of ivf, then didn't have it on my second successful round. I'm not sure how much it helps to be fair I know a lot of people that have had positive outcomes and not had it ? Good luck xx

skitten profile image
skitten

I’m not convinced it does anything. I had it on one of my three cycles and that was the one with the worst outcome. I think if you find it relaxing then it can be good for you but I’d rather find other ways to relax as acupuncture didn’t really do it for me.

Flossybubble profile image
Flossybubble in reply to skitten

Thanks for all reply, I have only had it once and it wasn't immediately before and after like people say. Who knows. I'm just freaking out have had a head cold constant coughing and sneezing, my belly is all tense where I been trying to protect it in fear of dislodging the embryo :( has anyone else had a cough cold thingy during transfer? X

RedA28 profile image
RedA28

Hi Flossy

I had acupuncture on the second of my three cycles but no joy (or from the other cycles)! I did research and found the most highly rated acupuncturist for fertility in my local area. I tried to be as open to it as possible and I did find it relaxing but that's the only benefit I found. It was REALLY expensive, and I actually found the running round on transfer day to do the two appointments either side of the transfer quite stressful which probably cancelled out any relaxation from the acupuncture itself! The cycle we came closest to success with (FET from third round, ended in a chemical) was without acupuncture.

tdkj1001 profile image
tdkj1001

I've done acupuncture treatment for infertility period and I did through my transfer. It does help regardless of what anyone says. It helps with the blood flow in the uterus if the correct meridian points are utilized. It helped me but I was taking it long before the transfer. But my acupuncturist did my sessions the day before my transfer, the day of my transfer and every other 2-3 days up to my pregnancy test. My levels at my first testing was 1500 and that was pretty high considering my 1st test and my next testing was 6187 and 3rd testing was 13,879, so keep with it. I don't have twins, just one baby growing inside. The heat on the uterus is a no-no. Only on your feet should heat be allowed. Hope this helps.

Flossybubble profile image
Flossybubble in reply to tdkj1001

Thank you this is helpful. Either way its noce to try I suppose. I have my session tomorrow xx

staaa88 profile image
staaa88

I absolutely believe it helped me and my friend who was going through IVF at the same time as me. We went to a Acupuncturist who specialises in fertility. If nothing else it was so relaxing. X

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