[mistletoe]

I had my first acupuncture session. I didn't know quite what to expect. No pain, interesting sensations and very relaxing. We are "warming" me up because I'm a cold/cool-bodied person. And there's something about my spleen, liver and kidneys. I'm still learning. The theory of making my blood stronger makes sense to me -- stronger lining, stronger carriers of all those hormones that need to be coordinated. I also like the TCM theory that fertility is a whole-body issue: balance the whole body and it is better able to hold a pregnancy. Plus he told me to eat more red meat. Got to love that. (Also, biologically it makes sense, I barely eat any and it's iron-rich for the blood.)

I don't know if the acupuncture or teas will help with whatever my physical problem might be, but the practitioner definitely is already helping with calming and relaxing this control-freak He was the first professional to phrase things in such a way that gave me a bit of hope. At 35, I didn't expect to hear: "You have some time." (He pointed out that although fertility declines, my ovarian reserve numbers a great. The RE never went beyond the automatic computer stamp "Normal" on my mailed-back blood test results.)

To coach me to mellow out a little, he said: "Try not to think of it as a task list with pregnancy an item to be checked off. Put your energy and thoughts toward creating life." That last part rang true for me. As I see it, even if it doesn't end up in a fertilized, nicely nestled egg in any particular month, if I make the physical and nutritional efforts to make myself strong and if I create and send out thoughts and words and actions of positiveness, every cycle I am building life; it's just not always going to be in that tangible way that I've been clawing to get at for these past 12 months.

As a not terribly mellow person, this is a sort of huge milestone for me. I think DH is already appreciating the dial down on my general intensity. (Not that I didn't "yell" at him for the 1 millionth bottle cap left on the counter, which he then proceeded to fling around the room with this college-era snapping thing he does. He is my perfect counterpoint. )

[Celry]

Sounds like you had an awesome appointment. My acupuncturist worked on warming me up too. I definitely saw much higher temps post O during acupuncture than I did any other time, even when I was on meds.

I had kidney and spleen deficiencies. It's amazing to hear their diagnosis and how it corresponds to things going on with your body every day. I hope you continue to have awesome sessions and are prego quickly.

[KMH]

Sounds like an amazing visit! I'm glad that you enjoyed it and that is seems to be helping you relax...please keep us updated on your future visits!

[IndyMommyWannabe]

I really don't know that much about acupuncture...but this is something I definitely am going to ask my RE (once I get the first appointment with one) about! This seems to be something that I see a lot of couples who have fertility issues are doing...and even the website for the Fertility specialists I'll be going to specifically have an acupuncturist they work with!

I hope to read more about how this helps you!

[L-SBB]

sounds like a great appointment! are you going weekly or less often? Definitely KUP on your future visits...sounds surprisingly relaxing (i have a thing about needles so acupunture freaks me out a bit) and i hope it gets you that BFP quickly!

[mistletoe]

Thanks, ladies. Kerri-Ann, I love that there are fertility places that are coordinated with an acupuncturist. I was really disappointed to see that the whole hospital where we are treated for fertility has no complementary medicine at all. And it's a pretty major medical center. Lara, I will be going for treatment once a week. The goal is to try it for three cycles (although I started mid-cycle). I'm also taking the herbal medicine, which I thought was actually "tea," but is actually boiled herbs and other such that smells and tastes like those natural bug repellents. (The good news: I am pretty sure I repell mosquitoes now. ) I drink that twice a day.

When I complained of it's grossness a friend of mine suggested that I try to picture its intensity as fertility just coursing through my body. I like that idea.

[MandyEllen]

I just started acupuncture in the middle of December. I go twice a week. It is so relaxing. I had an imbalance in my spleen & liver too. The first appoinment he "got rid of the negativity" by doing needles in my back. Now, it's all done while laying on my back.
Mistletoe: Did you feel like you were "heavy" to the table? I felt like I couldn't move, but I could move. He said it's just how relaxed my body got.
I love acupuncture & look forward to my appointments. Best wishes for a 2012 BFP!

[mistletoe]

MandyEllen, I wouldn't say I'm at that stage of relaxation yet. (I am pretty tightly strung, so it might take some time. ) He did both sides and also heated specific pressure points (that might not be the right word). The appointment lasts about an hour and a half but I never felt the time at all.

[IndyMommyWannabe]

do your guys' insurance pay for acupuncture??? How much are treatments?

[MandyEllen]

Indy...My insurance covers 10 sessions per year no questions asked after those you need a letter of medical necessity, which my RE won't write bc it's not a standard treatment for infertility. My acupuncturist doesn't take insurance, but fills the form out so I submit it myself. My first appointment was $95. It's $80 for each appointment after.

[bryan and nina]

That sounds really interesting!! I've heard of several people going to an acupuncturist for fertility reasons... I hope it works for you!!

[mistletoe]

Keri-Ann, visits are $70 per session. Our insurance covers no complementary medicine, so we pay out of pocket. The herbs are another $12 for a week's supply. We are pretty rural here, so that might affect the slightly lower than average cost.

[IndyMommyWannabe]

thanks! I need to call my insurance to see if it's covered or not. I know my FSA (flexible spending account) will pay for it, but the $$ that was taken out will hopefully be for IUI's.