[ShannonMVT]

Well I thought I would update you ladies and let you know how my accupuncture appointment today went. I decided it is worth a shot since I know several ladies on JM who have gotten pregnant with sticky babies after doing it.

She talked to me for quite awhile beforehand. She was taking notes like crazy! She also looked at my charts. She said I have time on my side since most people she sees are in their mid to late 30s or early 40s. She also mentioned that maybe my cycles were a bit off for a few months after the miscarriage, so although it's horribly disappointing to not get pregnant each month, she didn't seem to think it had been concerningly long that we've been TTC.

She swabbed with alcohol and put the needles in very quickly. It would sting a tiny bit at first but not bad. Some of them I could not feel at all and some I could feel a little pressure. She adjusted one that was a little uncomfortable. Then she left me and I listened to music and relaxed for about 20 minutes. The freakiest thing was looking down and seeing all these needles in my body! I had one on top of my head, one in each hand, 4 in my belly and maybe 4 on each leg. The longer time went by the less I could feel them although some I could feel a little pressure. It kind of made my whole body feel heavy, like I was sinking down.

All in all, not bad! Especially from someone who is not crazy about needles.

She said I can choose to do herbs with it, or not. I'll probably ask the RE about that. She didn't go into a lot of detail but I think the main thing is going to be getting enough blood flowing to the reproductive area and supporting the progesterone in the luteal phase. Also if I do herbs she can give me some to help with the cervical mucus.

I go back in two weeks since that should be when I have a new cycle (provided I'm not pg). Then I'll probably start going every week to 10 days.

[MamaAnna]

It sounds like it went really well. I hope it helps!

[*becky*]

Very cool!!!! Thanks for giving the details...I always wondered what it was like!

[babyblue]

Shannon, that sounds really interesting! Can I ask you more about it? Should you do it before or after ovulation? Does your insurance help pay for it? Is it expensive?

[Jlynn]

I LOVE Accupuncture!! I go all the time. It feels amazing and i always feel so good after.

So how does it help when TTC? I talked to my Accupuncture about it a while ago and he said it only helped when you were doing IVF. Any info. you can give me would be great Also what time of the month is best to go?

I had to add this photo

Shannon, that sounds really interesting! Can I ask you more about it? Should you do it before or after ovulation? Does your insurance help pay for it? Is it expensive?[/b]

My insurance doesn't cover it. It is $55 a time for me to go. Which isn't bad for about an hour of his time.

[snsgirl336]

That's awesome! I hope it helps get you your BFP!!! I've been interested in learning more about it too!
Jamie- that picture is the best! LOL- Even with needles in your face you still look beautiful and have a gorgeous smile!

[ShannonMVT]

Okay, I'm going to try to answer the questions.

It's $85 for one treatment here. I didn't even ask if insurance would cover it because I figured it would not. I am going to sign up for a flexible spending account at work so I don't have to pay taxes on medical costs.

She said she'd like for me to come in once a week and didn't really want to stretch it out more than 10 days. I think I'm going to start coming in before I go to work, that way I don't have to drive in 30 miles to go. I think they do different things at different points in your cycle. She said to give it 3 months to really take effect. And she will work along with you if you are doing "Western" fertility treatments (Clomid, IUI, IVF).

I think the main idea is there that there can be imblances in your body, like hormones and such that may not even show up in lab tests. So they work to restore the balance in your body for optimal fertility.

I think they have done studies showing that Chinese medicine helps you get pregnant while doing IVF, but they haven't done these same studies on women NOT doing IVF, does that make sense? But I'm sure it still helps.

I got most of my info from a book called "The Infertility Cure". It was written by a woman who started the accupuncture clinic that I am going. Since then she has left (now she's doing some kind of fertility retreats) but another woman has carried on with the clinic. All her patients are there for fertility. Anyway, the book has TONS of info to the point that it can be confusing. But I have done a few of the things the book suggested and it has helped extend my luteal phase from 11-12 days to 13-14 days. The book also indicated that when the author was treating patients, 75% of them got pregnant, either from Chinese medicine alone or from Chinese medicine plus Western treatments. And the 25% that didn't, she said some of them didn't give it enough time, or follow the diet, etc.

If any of you are interested, I'd recommend the book as a starting point and finding an accupuncturist who concentrates on fertility.

Jamie you do look great even with needles in your face. I was kinda glad I didn't have any go in my face though.

[xanada101]

My RE does this right in his office! If I get that far... which I'm hoping I don't then I'm definitely trying it! I talked toa woman at work who was on her last round of IVF and she was desperate to try anything... she did accupunture and she wound up PG for twins! hahaha

Jamie, that picture is priceless!!! I agree with Cris, you still look gorgeous!

[Celry]

I have the name and number of an acupuncturist here that I need to call. I've just put it off. I think it's about $85 per visit as well. One of my friends is not ttc, but went to this woman for other issues. During the initial consultation, which sounds like it was very much like what Shannon went through, my friend mentioned her wacky cycles. The acupuncturist has her cycles back in line. I don't know how long it took. I should ask.

[xanada101]

wow that is really cool! I bet I could get help for my migraines and sinuses!

[ShannonMVT]

I bet you could too. If I had any other issues, I'd definitely ask about getting help for those too.

She looked at my charts, asked about my blood work results, checked my pulse, asked to see my tongue (apparently you can tell a lot by looking at someone's tongue...who knew!), talked about my menstrual cycles (length, color), premenstrual symptoms, energy level, tons of stuff!

I need to ask her more questions next time about what my "diagnosis" (if any) would be according to Chinese medicine.

Depending on what the RE says, we may give the herbs a shot too. I know Dh is really hestitant to have me start taking drugs so we may end up waiting longer on that. She said the herbs could help me with my cervical fluid and making sure my progesterone levels get high enough in my luteal phase.

I kept putting it off for some time, but I'm glad I finally went. It's going to be a bit pricey to go every week, but I'm working a few extra shifts at work so that should help. I think it's great even if all it does it reduce stress.