[IndyMommyWannabe]

So I know that Acupuncture can help with infertility and our RE's office has an acupuncturist on site. So I called and made my first appointment today!! The appiontment is set for Saturday the 11 of February at 11 a.m.

I need to call insurance to see if it's covered or not...she said, 3 per month will run me $285!!

BUT I do have my FSA (flexible spending account) which they do accept.

Isn't acupuncture supposed to help with weight loss as well??? I went back to low carb last week (cold turkey, mind you...) because in order to be able to do IVF my doc wants me in a "healthy BMI". which means to re-lose the 33 pounds I lost 2 years ago ... again.


How many here see an acupuncturist? What did it help with for you?

anyways - any info on what acupunture entails would be great!

[MandyEllen]

I was going to an acupunturist. I was paying out of pocket. I went for about 8 times and then I found out I had a cyst & my cycle was delayed, so I stopped going. I should call him and make appointments now that I am back on track.

It is very relaxing. You won't feel much more than a pinch when they first go in. The worst needles are the ones for my ears.

[Sweetpea79]

I loooooved it! Strangely I had a ton of ewcm the first session and I never have that. I was on my BC pill for the ivf cycle at the time but the dr said that was a good sign.

Good luck!

[elle8]

I have been doing acupuncture off and on for almost 4 months. It helps me sleep at night and is meant to just get your body regulated and normal, or to even things out. I always talk to my acupuncturist for a few minutes before we start treatment and we talk about what has been going on in my body. Headaches, muscle tightness, bloating, etc. and then she bases treatment off of that along with where I am at in my cycle. I always leave feeling better. When I did my last IUI + injects cycle she really helped with the bloating and cramping I was having after the IUI. I believe very strongly in it. Good luck! I hope you love it!

[mistletoe]

I started acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine about a month ago. Like previously mentioned, the care that goes into asking at every appointment about how you have been feeling, sleeping, eating, energy, etc. is such a change from my western medical experience. He is just working on getting my body stronger and more balanced at the moment and then we'll start work specifically addressing fertility (mostly increasing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries). I find my body and mind so at ease at the end of each session.

For the actual process, my practitioner taps in the needles, which is painless and then spins them until I feel the sensation. For some points its a radiating hum, sometimes a tiny shot of shock -- but that instantly leaves. I am very sensitive to points at the bottom of my legs and feet and the one between my thumb and pointer finger -- but only on my right side. But each person is different.

I pay out of pocket too. Each week is about $80 for a 1.5 hour session and a week's worth of herbs for my tea.

Studies show effectiveness for so many things, so I wouldn't be surprised if it could help with weight loss as well. Good luck with it; I think you will find it a good investment in your health.

[bryan and nina]

I really want to go but it's so expensive here!! First session is about $150 for two hours and each one after that is $75. Is that crazy or what?? I doubt insurance covers it but I am planning on checking into that soon. Good luck and I hope it helps you! I am a very anxious person so I am hopeful it may help with that as well as fertility!?

[Celry]

DH and I were on a break from MA and I tried TCM. Within 3 months I was prego. I always O'd late and had a super short LP. Even with meds regulating things, I felt like they were just masking my issues and I was still getting BFN's each month. I loved my acupuncturist. She did waht others here have mentioned. She based my treatment and herbs off of how my pulses were, how my tongue looked, what I told her was going on with my body and where I was in my cycle.

My cycles were even worse this time ttc. My LP was down to about 6 days. I went back to the same acupuncturist and was prego within 2 months. I continued to go for a few weeks after my BFP to make sure I didn't miscarry. Obviously it won't help if the baby has passed away, but it can help if your body doesn't really know how to stay pregnant.

If you haven't already done so, you should read The Infertility Cure by Dr. Randine Lewis. It became my fertility bible. It was the only fertility book I bought during our years of TTC. I read a bunch from the library, but this was the only one that really clicked for me. I still own it and probably won't get rid of it even though we're done ttc.

[muffin]

I was really nervous about it the first time too. I'm terrified of needles too, so that really didn't help! It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be, but you can definely feel them going in. Like a PP said, the ears are the absolute worst! They burn like crazy for my entire session and sometimes for a bit afterwards too. It was definitely a success, as she was able to fix my LPD and get me pregnant. I still need help to stay pregnant though.

They can also help with weight loss. Just make sure that you let him/her know that this is one of the things you're looking for help with. They can hit certain points and reccomend herbals to help with it. Also ask if there's any acupressure that you can do to help in between appointments. (For TTC and weight loss)