Any reason not to have acupuncture?

[Lucina]

Hi there

I'm 5 weeks and 3 days pregnant.

I have been seeing an acupuncturist to help me conceive and my next appointment is due tomorrow.

I am having some doubts about going though. I am concerned that the ap might do something to harm the baby. I find that the process actually causes me a bit of pain and feels mildly traumatic physically, and I'm worried that all the changes it makes in my body will disturb the baby.

I have had a previous miscarriage, so my fear level is naturally a lot higher than if I hadn't. It also took me 15 months to conceive this baby following my m/c, using assisted conception.

I asked a nurse at my fertility clinic and she said I'd have to ask my acupuncturist about it, but she didn't know of any reason not to do it. Have done a bit of googling as well.

I'm just looking for ppls opinions who have had ap in early pregnancy, and if anyone has heard that you shouldn't do it.

Thanks very much in advance.

L
xxx

[Phteven]

I would say that if you're not comfortable with it then don't do it. Stress isn't good for any of us and at this time you need to avoid stress.
Have you rung your accurpuncturist to discuss it? If the acupuncture was for conception then it's worked and maybe you can postpone this appointment until later in your preganacy - maybe late in the 3rd trimester when you want to bring labour on

[Lucina]

Thanks Dachlostar

I'm quite torn about the whole thing - I wonder if it might help the pregnancy, and then I worry that it might hinder it.

I suppose if I'm just going to worry about it I would be better not doing it - it's pretty unlikely that an acupuncture session is going to save the baby from miscarrying anyway. But then I feel like it did help me to conceive...

It's just that DH wants me to do it because he can't see how it could hurt, and my acupuncturist says it's safe. But at the same time, it's my body we're talking about and I'm the one who has to protect this pregnancy, so I guess I have to do what feels right to me.

Still undecided.

[Trillian]

Hi Lucina and welcome to BellyBelly

Maybe you could wait just a little longer till you were more confident about the pg before you have it? I am a strong believer in the benefit of natural therapies, but if you are going to be worried about having it, then I wouldn't, if for no other reason than to keep my worry levels low.

[Lucina]

Thanks Trillian

Yes, I do feel very vulnerable because it's so early on. If I do have the ap and then something goes wrong, I will forever wonder if I contributed to it, and I just can't take that risk right now.

I think I won't do it, may take it up again later.

Thanks again
L
xxx

[Shanti]

Lucina congrats on your pregnancy. You are due the same time as me! you should come and join us in the belly buddies jan thread!

I have been seeing an acupuncturist also to help me fall pregnant (after 6 sessions it worked!) and i too am scared of losing this baby after having an early m/c in Nov.
Acupuncture is safe in pregnancy as long as the Acupuncturist knows what they are doing. There are certain pressure points or needle points that an AP should avoid in a pregnant woman. I'm seeing my AP on 2nd June so i'll be about just over 6wks by then. She said she won't need to see me until 12wks pregnant and 24weeks pregnant.
They can help with morning sickness, headaches, fatigue etc and help take it away from your body a bit.... ease things a bit. I trust my AP 100% so I'm not too worried. However my advice to you, would be to discuss your fears and concerns with your AP and perhaps see her at 12wks? you won't feel 'as' vulnerable at that stage and you may want to see her to help with nausea etc if you have it at that stage.

See how you feel and just talk to her/him about your concerns - good luck and enjoy your pregnancy.... you deserve to be happy and feel confident that this bub will stick!
to us!

[[M]umma[M]ia]

my midwife told me as long as they know what they are doing and dont go stickin needles in ur tummy then its all good. Ive been told it works great for bad headaches..

[butterfly_warrior]

Hi Lucina.

I've also been using acupuncture to help me conceive, and I've been wondering just how much I should continue to have now that I am pregnant. For me it's more along the lines of can I skip Saturday's appointment and just wait until the one I have on Wednesday instead? It does help significantly with morning sickness (something I suffer with badly), energy levels, headaches, fatigue...

I'll be sticking with it, even if I do decide to skip this particular appointment on Saturday, because I know the person I see is a specialist in fertility treatments, miscarriage prevention and pregnancy. She's also been helping my ovaries recover a bit from the over-stimulation from the IVF cycle.

Congratulations on your pregnancy, too - you're due not long after me. And after three miscarriages I do well understand the fear... Take care,

BW

[runnermum]

i am due the same time as you also! I have had accuputure during my IVF stim cyle and during the TWW. I am now getting accuputure once a week still and really believe it helps with increasing blood flow, helping pregnancy symptons and the opportunity to have a nanny nap !!

but if you are so worried about it, I would say stop or at least voice your concerns to your accuputurist.

I get needles in my abdomen, wrists, ankles and sometimes my temple. I also take regular chinese herbs.

I have been feeling great - no sickness and generally good energy - keeping up my fitness and looking after my little boy while hubby is away - so I have a bit on my plate.
So it really has helped me - BUT again, you do you what is best for you.

take care and remember we are here for you on this forum...

[SamiH]

Hello

i had m/s until about 2 weeks ago - I saw an acupuncturist at 18 weeks to finally help - dunno whether it was a combination of timing or treatment - but I am feeling good - my practitioner special interest and treatment is fertility/pregnancy so I trust him. If I had of known earlier it would help - I would have tried it earlier!

If you are feeling well - he might just do general points to keep you feeling 'strong'.

I am now going every 4 weeks until 37 weeks when we will do the biggie stuff LOL

Good luck!

[Willow]

I also had accupuncture as part of my IVF treatment and continued weekly/fortnightly sessions to help support the pregnancy, my second prg ended in m/c at 12 weeks. I went until about 26 weeks, when I became concerned about pre term labour etc. Basically, my instincts were telling me to stop, so I did.

I now have a healthy baby boy so it all worked out well for us!

I would strongly agree with the other girls though, make sure you are seeing someone experienced in pregnancy accupuncture.