[AHealthyMiracle]

Who here did acupuncture? I am interested and willing to do ANYTHING to increase my chances of becoming pregnant... but my fear is still there. My first cycle is put on hold right now, so I have some time to get over my fear... But the thought of needles being placed all throughout my body makes me sick to my stomach.

Is it painful or truly relaxing? What does acupuncture do to increase chances? I am a small town girl... I had never even really learned of acupuncture until moving to the city! And now being on this forum, I hear about it often... and I am freaking outtttt!!!!

I hate needles as it is. I am not worried one bit about giving myself shots/my hubby giving me shots... bloodwork... nothing... But I am about acupuncture. What is my problem?

[jencat215]

I did acupuncture and it helped me get pg on a natural cycle! What it can do is really increase blood flow to your uterus, which gives you a nice fluffy lining for implantation. I am a huge needle phobe and I was shaking before my first appointment, but it really didn't hurt. The needles are tiny and you barely feel them (well, you can if they get it in the wrong place, which isn't very often, but they just move the needle slightly and you don't feel a thing). And it isn't tons of needles either. I had one on each wrist, about 3 above my uterus, and about 3-4 on each leg down to ankle. Every once in a while I got a few in the ear and 1 in the head or forehead. And the face ones I couldn't feel at all. The ear ones were slightly uncomfortable for about 5 seconds. Then you just close your eyes and relax for about 20 minutes. It really is great.
My acupuncturist would also do about 10 in the back and do electrostimulation (only on the first half of your cycle) which helps with blood flow to a greater extent.

After acupuncture, my lining measurements were always much higher than before, and I would even produce more follies. I highly recommended it if you can do it. The relaxation effect alone is wonderful, but I truly believe that it can help with TTC.

[lizzie518]

I don't much care for needles either, and I did acupuncture with my last cycle. The needles are tiny, and most of them really don't cause any sensation at all. As Jencat said, there is the ccassional uncomfortable one, but the acupuncturist will just move it. After the needles are placed, you don't feel a thing. Sometimes laying there was relaxing for me, and sometimes I was restless, but for the most part, it was a good experience. Because of the recent empirically validated research showing that it can help with conception, particularly in IVF, I plan to do it again. In fact, I have an appointment in about an hour!

[SandraM]

I just got back from my acupuncture appointment. As the previous girls stated, the needles do not hurt. The ones in the ear can pinch a smidge going in, but then you don't feel them. You want to make sure that if you see someone that they are an expert with infertility. Most claim they do infertility, but only a smaller amount really know what they are doing. I am following The Infertility Cure by Randine Lewis and seeing an Acp. who is under her in Illinois. You can go on the Fertile Soul website and see if there is an Acp. near you, otherwise ask on the forum for any recommendations for your area. They will also recommend supplements and some recommend herbs. Mine also talked about changing my diet, which I have done. I am doing my first full IVF cycle, 1st one got canceled. I felt as though I was given a second chance to do more the first time around. I hope all this extra effort pays off. Good luck and to you!!

[chuchu]

I loved accupuncture!! It was so relaxing that I felt asleep everytime. I will definetely do it again for my next cycle.

[jessicap518]

I have to agree with what everyone is saying....acupuncture needles really do not hurt...they are so tiny...I found it very relaxing and would usually fall asleep with the needles in...there were a few occassions where I was restless as some others have said but for the most part it was relaxing...

My acupuncturist specialized in infertility and she herself had two children through IVF so I really trusted and respected her and her advise/opinions

My needles were also in the ears, which can pinch for a second, my forehead, wrists, a few in my uterus and 3-4 down my legs, my ankles and top of foot which can be tender sometimes and sometimes my hands....I don't think I ever had more than 20 needles...and they are small....not like those 8 inch long things they show on TV

I got pregnant with my first IVF cycle...I continued acupuncture through my first trimester where she focused on supporting the uterus and general health...I had not a single lick of morning sickness and think it may be due to the acupuncture!!!

I think it is a great thing and I have read some many stuidies and blogs/threads from women swearing that acupuncture helped them get pregnant and I am one of them!!!

Best of Luck!!!!!

[AHealthyMiracle]

Thank you SOOO much! Your really eased my mind Is acupuncture something insurance usually covers? How far before my first IVF cycle should I start going? THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

[jessicap518]

My opinion is to start at least 6 weeks before your cycle but ask your doctor what he/she thinks and also once you find an acupuncturist in your area who specializes in infertility ask what they think (they may say start sooner or later I don't know what the norm is)....my insurance covered the first session and then I was on my own and paid $75/session...it does get pricey if you go often but with infertility everything is pricey!!!