Desperately Seeking Baby...Babies Found

My thoughts on raising twins and a singleton after infertility.

Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers Lilypie Third Birthday tickers

Friday, September 22, 2006

Acupuncture?

I think I might have asked about this before, but I'm considering going back to do some acupuncture very soon. I will have to pay for it all out of pocket since I used up all of my 20 visits already this year. The binder I got from my clinic the other day says that acupuncture can help with those going through IVF, and I did like going. What do you guys think? Is acupuncture worth it?

Labels:

posted by seattlegal @ 3:32 PM  

4 Comments:

  • At 9:13 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Hi...I am also about the start my first IVF cycle. In my RE's clinic, was a pamphlet for a local accupuncturist.

    Because so many in the IVF world use accupuncture, I am feeling pressured to add this to the protocol. If for anything else, to be able to say that "I tried everything I could" to try and get pregnant.

    I am hesitant though based on the use of the needles, and contamination issues.

    as if we don't already have enough to worry (and pay for), now is the added pressure of accupuncutre in the infertility process.

    I hope more people comment, as this is a really good topic.

     

  • At 9:27 AM , Blogger Nickie said...

    well, to backcare, I would post this scientific study:
    http://www.abundantspring.com/pdf/GermanStudy.pdf
    Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy
    Objective: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in assisted reproduction therapy (ART) by comparing a group of patients receiving acupuncture treatment shortly before and after embryo transfer with a control group receiving no acupuncture.
    defined as the presence of a fetal sac during an ultrasound examination 6 weeks after embryo transfer. Result(s): Clinical pregnancies were documented in 34 of 80 patients (42.5%) in the acupuncture group, whereas pregnancy rate was only 26.3% (21 out of 80 patients) in the control group.
    Conclusion(s): Acupuncture seems to be a useful tool for improving pregnancy rate after ART. (Fertil Steril®2002;77:721- 4. ©2002 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)

    I would say that while it may be difficult to PROVE that TCM/acupuncture helps women get pg with ART, I'd say that there does seem to be significant scientific evidence that it does help and it can't hurt.

    I've been doing TCM/acup since Jan and I credit it with my pg back in March. I am very hopeful that it will improve my chances with IVF once I can get a cycle going.

    Does it work for everyone? No. Nothing does. Is it worth a try? Absolutely.

    As for the needles - they are so tiny I rarely feel them and if I do, it's only for a split second. As for contamination issues, the clinic I go to uses fresh sterile needles for every patient. The needles are disposable, so there is never a risk of contamination aside from what might be on my own skin. She also uses alcohol to clean each point before inserting a needle. I find acup very relaxing and I really like the feeling that I'm doing something good for my body and my chances of conception.

     

  • At 11:27 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I am undergoing my first IVF and also started acupuncture once a week b/c i read several empirical large-scale studies demonstrating that it does increase success rates. I have previous done 3 injectable cycles and was very bloated and in pain during all of them. This cycle, i had no bloating at all, had a lot of engergy and also phenomenal eggs and embryos (33 retreived, 23 fertilized and 13 embies). It's not all due to the acupuncture, but i definately think it helped...esp'ly since i SHOULD have been very bloated and uncomfortable with that # of eggs. But even if you decide not to try it, i doubt it will make or break your cycle. I just figured, if i'm going through so much already, why not do everything i can? My acupuncturist also uses disposable needles. Good Luck!

     

  • At 8:31 PM , Blogger beagle said...

    I didn't find that it helped fertility per se, but it does help with relaxation. That said, so does massage which I prefer. So that is what I do now instead.

    There are studies that show acupuncture helps but I'm not always sure that studies can be taken at face value without looking into who is doing them, etc.

    So, my assvice: if it makes you feel better, go for it. If it adds stress, financially or scheduling or fear of needles, etc., then skip it.

    Good Luck!

     

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home