Will accupuncture and natural remedies help with IVF?

[oneday86]

Hi im currently on my 4th cycle of IVF/ICSI, i fell pregnant with our last cycle but lost our angel at 5 weeks Im doing a natural frozen embryo transfer this time (no drugs) to see if this will be better for me, im due to have my transfer in about 12/13 days. So now im in this "lets boost our chances" frame of mind, DH and i have been eating healthy and excercising for the past 2 weeks. But for some reason today i had this feeling to go in to a go vita shop (all natural meds and stuff) i talked to the lady about my situation and she then got to telling me about a local accupuncture and herbal maedicine guy, she told me that she had trouble concieving for 3 and a half years and once she started seeing this guy for accupuncture and other stuff she fell pg in the next 3 months naturally. She also told me that with my hubby's infertility problem (no motility) that this could be fixed through accupuncture?? Im very excited about this and for some reason have a good feeling about it. We only have one embryo left in storage so if this one dosn't work we agreed we would have 6 months off to save for another STIM cycle. But this has given me hope that if we do need that break maybe it could happen naturally with the support of accupuncture and medicines or even just help us fall pg with IVF? I would love any advice on this and it would be very much appreciated xx

[butterfly_warrior]

I had acupuncture throughout our 18 month journey with IVF. There have been a number of studies on whether it helps - the jury seems to be out on that one. For me personally, I found that it at least helped me cope on an emotional level. We did a lot of things in acupuncture to assist with my mental state and reduce anxiety - I was a big enough basket case as it was, I would hate to think of what state I may have got into without it. I don't really know if it helped us conceive or not - but it certainly helped on an emotional/mental level.

My DH has severe sperm issues - low count, poor motility, bad morphology. He had some acupuncture treatments over the course of a few months and we saw no change. He also tried the whole vitamin thing (prescribed my our FS) and saw no change there - but that only went on for a few weeks before we finally had an embryo stick so we didn't actually do it long enough to see any effect if that makes sense.

Personally - I wouldn't pin my hopes on acupuncture doing it alone. But then our fertility issues were quite severe and present in both of us so I think we simply had too many problems that were too big to overcome - but if you're taking a break to save for the next stim cycle, then it certainly can't hurt to try.

BW

[oneday86]

Thanks BW, yeah im trying not to get to excited but i but figure it may help my mental state why we have to have a dreaded 6 month break because without any distraction i think i will go crazy, as you an prob evryone else knows IVF has become my life, all i care about is having a baby of my own so it will be a very hard break but we are hoping we will not need it heres praying that our lucky last embie sticks. Thanks again xx

[BellyBelly]

I'm pretty sure I stickied a post in here somewhere which had 2 studies showing increased IVF success with acupuncture.

[MummaSue]

I had acupuncture for 8 months before my IVF cycle, all the way through it and then all the way through my resulting pregnancy. This is just how I feel - but I totally think that the acupuncture has a LOT to do with falling pregnant. And it also kept me calm through my pregnancy as I was very anxious of losing the baby, after having had a previous miscarriage.

At the end of the day, it can't hurt. I found it invaluable and would totally recommend it.
Sue xx

[worrywart]

Hi OneDay, I had acupuncture and TCM from three different practitioners during my IUIs/IVFs and I didn't fall pregnant. The third practitioner I saw was a very well-regarded Chinese doctor (before she came to Australia, she was a specialist TMC-gyno in a hospital in Beijing) and, though I did have a laparoscopy removing endo just prior, I fell pregnant (naturally) about 6 months after seeing her.
Everyone is different of course, and there's no set path.
But from my experience (and I am a bit older, 33), I think healthy diet (low GI, high protein and eliminating any possible intolerances like wheat and yeast, and excess sugar especially because it totally affects hormones) and TCM do have a place to assist alongside the more scientific treatments (IVF). But in my case, I think whilst TCM did help, I think it was the lap which must have had an impact. I had moderate endo and virtually NO symptoms. Have you had a lap? I really think that when you've been trying for ages, and you're "unexplained" (esp if your partner has really good stats) that a lap should be par for the course.
Also, check out this TCM guy: what is his rep? How many other ladies has he helped?
Best of luck and FX for next cycle!
WW

[worrywart]

Oops, sorry OneDay, I see your DH has a motility problem - strike everything I said about getting a lap. Yes, I would definitely give acupuncture/TCM a go for your DH but just find out again from this practitioner whether he's treated males and what his track record is. I would also raise it with your FS, though be prepared for scepticism. We told my FS and he basically called it a sham. So there are different views out there.
All the best,
WW

[Loula]

i have been having ap for several years, and although i have a different infertility problem to you i do believe ap helped me to concieve 6 times out of the 7 (one we were not trying, and was ectopic) like BW said if anything it has really helped me with my emotions.

I continue to go today and have been weekly throughout this pg. my emotions are a lot better for it

i also should add i do not take any herbs, only from my NP

best wishes

[oneday86]

Thanks worrywart and Loula!! Im going to see a lady but she sounds really nice and made me feel comfortable about the decision in deciding im going to do it, she specialises in infertility treatment. She wants me to have acupuncture just before transfer and after. I asked my FS and they were supportive of my decision and said many women at the clinic try it. I figure it cant hurt. Im very frustrated iv come down with a cold!!! i always seem to get sick before or just after transfer, my FS and chemist reccomend to not take anything because transfer is next week, i just hope i get better.

[worrywart]

Good luck for your transfer OneDay! I know what you mean, I was alway sick around the transfer times. It is such a high-stress period. Aslo, ask your acupuncturist because there are points that they can stimulate to assist with colds too.
Keep us posted!