[Chaitealatte]

Hello All,

I know a lot are looking for success stories so here is mine. After three pregnancy losses followed by difficulty conceiving, I sought acupuncture treatment starting Nov. 2007. My first acupuncturist was not fertility specialized so the only thing she was able to do for me was minimize my menstrual cramps. In January, I found an acupuncturist who studied with Randine Lewis, author of "The Infertility Cure." (I recommend this book to everyone here!) I started following the diet for Kidney Yang deficiency, taking herbs that were mixed for me by my practitioner and doing yoga regularly. In early-March, we decided to do IVF so I then stayed on the same diet/herbs and got acupuncture 2x/week. I had acupuncture before and after my embryo transfer and so far, things are going well! I will continue to get acupuncture 1x/week through 12 weeks of pregnancy. Acupuncture grounded me during the drastic shifts in hormones and I believe attributed greatly to our outcome. A few things I have been doing since December that have helped:

• Cut out coffee completely (this was perhaps the hardest because I was a Starbuck's addict!)
• Cut out caffeine and if I needed some, drank 1 cup of green tea
• Eliminated all artificial sweeteners
• Sought the help of an acupuncturist who specialized in fertility and pregnancy and had appointments with her 2x/week
• Regular yoga classes
• Prayer, meditation and visualization of positive outcome
• Proper diet, according to acupuncturist, rich in vegetables, fruit, natural protein and rice with small amounts organic meat
• Folic acid, baby aspirin and multi-vitamin every day
• Chinese herbal supplementation
• No less than 6 hours sleep/night
• Thinking positive and always moving forward!

I hope this is helpful and feel free to ask questions. We're keeping our fingers crossed for a sticky one. May all of you realize your wildest dreams!

[Smee]

Congratulations on your . Many thanks for sharing with us. It gives all hope.

I too am trying accupuncture this time with my IVF. Hoep to get a . Please let me know the name of your accupuncturist and which state you are in.

[Chaitealatte]

I wish you the best of luck Smee! If anything, it will make a world of difference in how your body responds to the medications and how you deal with everything. My acupunture center is Ilumina Healing & Sanctuary in Scottsdale, AZ.

[sarah16]

Congrats on your pregnancy!

[reyna68]

Chaitealatte,
I'm very excited for you. I hope all goes well with your pregnancy. I have no doubt that accupuncture and all the changes you've made will help. Best of luck!

I wanted to add that I, too, have had a lot of success with accupuncture and a lot of the same changes you have made with diet and exercise. I am also doing no caffeine or alcohol, and very limited dairy, sugar, and wheat products, lots of organic fruits and vegetables and a little bit of hormone-free meat. I also do yoga, walk a couple miles every day, and relaxation techniques. I also read Randine Lewis's book and follow her suggestions for femoral massage and massaging accupressure points that she recommends for my diagnoses.

After two failed IVF's and our RE giving us a very low chance of conceiving unless we used donor eggs, I conceived naturally in April. I miscarried at 8 weeks, but miscarriage is so common that I don't see this as more evidence of IF. I acutally feel like it's a huge step forward in proving that I don't need donor eggs, that I can conceive on my own, and that it will happen again.

It may be necessary for me to use IVF again...you just never know. But I think doctors who tell you there's nothing you can do naturally to improve the outcome of TTC are dead wrong.

Good luck to all of you!!!
sharon

[chuchu]

Chaittelate, congratulations on your BFP!! Thanks for sharing your tips on improving fertility.

How early did you start accupuncture?
How many sessions per week?
Did you have additional sessions during the IVF cycle (after ER or ET)?

Thanks again!

[babygood1]

great information! Thanks for sharing and Congrats.
I just cut the coffee out...so hard...going organic now too...what is your advise on milk vs soy milk? I hear the estrogen is higher in soy? Any tips?

[hopeful1230]

Originally Posted by chuchu

Chaittelate, congratulations on your BFP!! Thanks for sharing your tips on improving fertility.

How early did you start accupuncture?
How many sessions per week?
Did you have additional sessions during the IVF cycle (after ER or ET)?

Thanks again!

Congrats on your