acupuncture

[Elsidee11]

Hi everyone - I am starting my first round of ivf soon, and was wondering if anyone has had acupuncture alongside their treatment and did they find it helped? Thank you xx

[Dinfertilitylady]

Hi Elsidee11, I’ve been using a fertility acupuncturist for about 2 years now. No live birth yet so I personally wouldn’t say it’s a miracle worker. However I do think it helps with general overall health + stress reduction & relaxation all of which I think help during an IVF cycle.

[Elsidee11 in reply to Dinfertilitylady]

I’m glad you found it helpful for relaxation! Maybe it’s worth a go, thank you x

[Gempuddleduck]

Hiya, I would definitely recommend it. I had acupuncture in the run up to two of my transfers and they both worked. Not sure it was just the acupuncture but it definitely contributed in my opinion. Wishing you lots of luck! Xx

[Elsidee11 in reply to Gempuddleduck]

Amazing! Thank you for sharing. When did you start and how did you time it with your cycle? X

[Gempuddleduck]

I did it for 12 weeks before each transfer Xx

[Hopeful99]

Hi Elsidee11, I used acupuncture for our last round only which was our 6th cycle and now 14 weeks pregnant. Everything else was the same as the previous rounds with regards to meds etc but the only change was the acupuncture. It helped that the acupuncturist was fertility trained and was super helpful.

[Elsidee11 in reply to Hopeful99]

wowee congrats! And that’s amazing to hear. I start my cycle next week so wondering if I am too late 🥹

[Hopeful99 in reply to Elsidee11]

I started acupuncture when I started stims as I was on a long protocol. Then weekly until the week after embryo transfer. Never too late I reckon!!

[Elsidee11 in reply to Hopeful99]

thank you! I have just emailed a fertility acupuncture lady - so let’s see! Thanks for sharing your story and all the best with you’re pregnancy ❤️❤️

[haylady]

Hi! I used acupuncture during our third round and it was dramatically more successful than our previous 2. I did make some other changes as well after reading ‘It Starts With The Egg’ but I do really believe the acupuncture may have been a contributing factor, and if nothing else, it was a nice relaxing treat for me during a difficult time. Choose one who specialises in fertility. Good luck xx

[Elsidee11]

Amazing! So glad it worked for you - I’m going to give it a go. If I start asap I could prob get a couple of sessions in a week. Fingers crossed! Thanks so much for sharing x

[nT455]

Hello, I did Acupuncture when I first started with IVF. I found it had a very relaxing effect on me but didn't improve my chances and because it was so expensive, I eventually stopped it. The clinic Im now with offered a free Acupuncture before transfer and I took it but again, I see it more as a relaxing thing. I believe that if the embryo will implant it will do so and if its not viable, then having Acupuncture can't do anything to prevent this from happening. Wish you all the best!

[HedgehogMad]

I had fertility acupuncture during my 3rd embryo transfer cycle. To be honest I didn't really enjoy it, and it was a drive across town that they wanted me to do on the day before and after the transfer (this is a standard protocol) which I found very stressful. Something to consider is location of the acupuncturist (unless you're happy driving!). It didn't help me and put a big dent in the wallet. But some people find it extremely relaxing. I don't believe there is any evidence that it works at all but there is evidence it helps people to relax through the process and that can only be a good thing. I had fertility reflexology during my stim cycle and found it extremely relaxing. My advice is not to worry too much about it, worth a try and if you don't enjoy it then don't beat yourself up thinking you are ruining your chances xxx

[Riri88]

hi hun, as others said it can definitely help with stress and anxiety relief. I did it for my first 2 transfers which sadly didn’t work. I eventually stopped due to costs and not seeing results that lead to pregnancy so I took a break and on my 3rd transfer which was successful I didn’t have it.

It is hard to proof if it works or not but if it helps to release stress and makes you feel you are doing everything you can to increase your success, then that might help with the mental side of IVF.

Good luck with your next transfer.

[Snoopydraws23]

I would recommend trying it - all 4 of my FET’s led to implantation (2 ectopic pregnancies and 2 live births). I can’t say it was definitely the acupuncture what made the difference but I feel whatever plan we had seemed to work for me and I believe the acupuncture helped with the success of my transfers. Good luck! X

[Jane8412]

I did it weekly for months before my first fresh round of IVF, including on the morning of and right after transfer. I shudder to think how much money I spent. That round didn't work. I didn't do it for my next round as I was too busy and a bit over it. That round worked.

I think it is good for relaxation and you need to have a good connection with your acupuncturist (pick one that is recommended) but I do think IVF is either going to work or not based on the embryo. I threw so much money at supplements and naturopaths etc doing anything I could to increase my chances but at the end of the day I don't think there is any strong evidence that any of it helps results. It can help your stress levels and mental health though. good luck

[PrayingforMyBaby]

Hi,

Honestly i did accuounture but it didnt help😢. The most important is healthy egg and sperm. However i still do it

It helps circulate blood flow. I google about accupunture and how important it is...

Hope we will have our baby dust☘️☘️☘️ with or without it.

[JenniferLondon]

No exp to add but just to say I'm starting my first IVF cycle imminently and will doing acupuncture too. I reckon it cant help and why not do some more self love. Only pros I reckon. I need all the relaxation poss (I'm a SMBC All the best to you xx

[girl82]

Hi, I did acupunture for 2 fresh cycles with a fertility trained practitioner and both of those cycles failed. I also found the drive stressful - rushing to drive to appointments around work. I also didn't find acupuncture itself very relaxing, and on a couple of occasions it freaked me out having all the needles in me (especially in my forehead!!) I personally find having a bath or a massage much more relaxing and destressing. I have got my first frozen cycle starting next month and currently doing yoga, having plenty of hot baths and nature walks to relax and destress. Best of luck with your up and coming cycle xx

[Chubbstep]

Hi, I'm waiting on starting IVF soon too. I just got AF after my last set of tamoxifen but I've been having accupuncture too. I started out doing it once a week and I've gone down to once a month and plan on keeping that through IVF. I find it relaxing and it helps my muscles, I also haven't been as overstimulated by the tamoxifen as I did at the start so I'm hoping it will help with this OHSS when IVF starts too as I'm at high risk of that. I've also had shorter, less painful cycles although still a bit irregular. Hasn't helped get any BFPs so far but I feel a lot more positive about everything else really 😅 good luck!

[Anim88]

I would definitely go for it.