Acupunture increases IVF success rates (two studies)

[Jaxi]

I'm currently on day 6 of puregon injections for IVF/ICSI with a count of about 30 follies being clearly shown yesterday. Have I left it too late to begin AC for this cycle? I've managed to get an appointment for next Thur morning hoping I haven't left it too late!!!!

[aliceinwonderland]

I have heard that Rozelle are pretty good too! Good luck with getting this one to do an about face!

Lilyx

[Baby2Bee]

Hi All. I hope you dont mind but I've just been reading this thread and have booked my first AC session!! Tomorrow!! We have had two unsuccessful IUI's and I've got a final BT tomorrow for my third cycle.....pretty confident its a BFN! Fingers crossed about AC....i'm quite excited. I'm going to the Menlha Healing Centre (Victoria Park, WA). Have any perthies heard anything about this centre? And is this something DH should try....his soldiers are up, down, slow, all over the place!!!!

[Justin Keane]

Emmapenguin yes, male factor infertility often responds very well to chinese herbs and acupuncture, I believe your partner would definately benefit from a course of treatment, and you can test it to see exactly how much benefit it is giving him. I have seen patients sperm tests reflect recovery even before the usual 3 month time frame. (Thats about how long spermatogenesis takes).
Nixon acupuncture is the treatment of choice for breech presentation, there is also a website called spinning babies which offers some tips on posture and exercise etc but the Chinese Medicine technique of using moxa on BL67 works, lots of clinical trials (and my own experiance) have shown this to be true. This can be done with acupuncture or not. It is best done every day for 10 consecutive days then a day or two break, then again for another 10 if necessary. Your acupuncturist should teach you how to do it at home.

[Justin Keane]

Jaxi,
the best designed studies so far (incl. Adelaide Uni) have illustrated that acupuncture increases the chances of IVF success when implemented in the 24 hrs before tranfer and again in the 24hrs post transfer. Good luck, keep us updated!

[Jaxi]

Thanks Justin. I will definitely keep you all updated.

[BellyBelly]

Nixon, frank breech is most favourable for a vaginal birth. In fact if you check out the RANZCOG website, they say breech birth is okay, where baby is frank breech... of course the list other restrictions but basically frank breech is the same as bub would be if head down... the other breech presenations are variations of that, footling breech (feet first) etc... breech birth is safe with a care provider experienced in breech birth. It requires alot more hands off and the baby to birth itself to protect its neck etc... when the birth is managed is when there can be problems.

[MissMagpie]

Hi all,

Just wanted to post and say that acupuncture DEFINATELY helped me during my last 2 stim cycles and as you can see I got a BFP recently

It made me alot more relaxed and focused especially during the TWW.

I saw Justin Keane of bellybelly (he's GREAT!)

Cheers,

Tania

[Jennifer M]

Hi

am getting ready to do 3rd stim cycle ........ pretty dismal response in last 2 cycles.
my IVF doc actually told me to try acupuncture to improve my response to the IVF drugs -
has anyone heard of that? or done it?
He said something about some research?
I've made an appointment for tomorrow with the clinic that works on site with the IVF clinic. Wish me luck - first time for acupuncture. SHouldn't be nervous but I am, a bit.

[lauramay09]

Hi JM

hope your acupuncture was great ........ I just love it! Addicted!
And it has certainly helped me cope with IVF better last time. My last cycle was my best yet - no BFP yet but I have lots of little ones in the freezer now!
So hope you have a similar experience.
My FS recommended an acupuncture clinic he works closely with too. The girls there are just so lovely and they are all trained in this speciality so I feel I am in good hands.
I will be asking my FS whether he recommends for FE cycles too.....
all the best.
Laura

[Jennifer M]

HI Laura

GREAT to hear that acup helped your IVF cycle. I need to hear these stories and I am really hopeful it might do the same for me. My first acup treatment was a really nice experience, (I was a bit surprised it was so relaxing ) - a lovely woman with a gentle touch (Leah) and she really knew what she was talking about. This clinic only treats IVF patients and they work closely with some of the IVF specialists. She said they will be doing some clinical trials later this year with the IVF clinic. So I feel pretty confident the treatment will be the right treatment.
Can I ask, is your acupuncture clinic associated with IVF Australia ?
JM

[Jennifer M]

Hi Laura

thanks for your encouragement - I cant say i'm addicted but actually i did enjoy the acupuncture. I will be having a series of 6 treatments before egg pick up, following a research protocol from Colorado (apparently it regulates stress hormones and increases pregnancy rates 15%) - so I'll let you know how it goes. The acupuncturist was very gentle and knowledgeable - knew more about all the IVF stuff than me, and I thought by now I knew it all! Well all I'm praying is that my follies multiply more and bigger than before!

Jennifer M

[as592578]

Hi there, teh research is overwhelmingly positive about accupuncture (had done alot of reading on this), and I also had accup****ure with a fertility specialist for my first 2 FET's, however unfortunately I didn't have any success.
I am thinking about changing as I have read up a bit more and they say accupuncture both before and after the transfer is best. For my first 2 FET's I only had accupunctuer on a weekly basis and then 1 hour after the transfer (not before)?
I am hoping people can share their knowledge on this? Thankyou!

[turner]

Jennifer you sound like me. We must be going to the same clinic as mine does the Colorado thing too. Are you at the clinic in Maroubra - Acupuncture IVF Support Clinic?

This cycle DH and I are doing everything differently - to see if it shakes things up a bit. Cause the other ways haven't been working. DH had lost a lot of faith in our last RE - rushed through appointments, time spent in the waiting room, big fat BFNs etc. We've changed clinics and I've started with this new acupuncturist. I've even changed the boards I visit - hence first entry for this one. We did lots of research for this cycle and I liked what I read of their website - the acupuncture clinic. I do like the way they have a process specifically helping people going through IVF.

Where are you up to in your cycle? I'm waiting for AF then starting.

[Justin Keane]

Aw shucks MissMagpie you are too kind. Great to hear from you Tan, keep me posted!

[Jennifer M]

First ultrasound - good news, my Follies are doing GREAT!!
5 on the left and 6 on the right - for a "poor responder" I can tell you this is FAB. And they are a good size. So maybe you were right Laura May, and I think I'm hooked on acupuncture now too. I'm having it twice a week and enjoying it more each time.
HI Turner, YES I am going to Maroubra - its the clinic attached to the IVF clinic. My FS recommended it highly and they do seem to be really professional and knowledgeable - and VERY NICE. All fingers crossed for more good news next US ......... I've been here so many times before, but I AM feeling more optimistic now. Hope things go positively for you too.

[mollygirl1977]

I have just started going to acupunture and have found a fantastic guy who is really positive he can help me. I would love to hear from anyone who has had success after beginning acupunture treatment.

I have always suspected that my poor circulation and blood flow could impact my chances of implantation and that is exactly what he is treating me for. I can't believe it as I asked all 3 of my FS on previous occasions if this could affect implantation and they ALL said no!!! WTF!!!!

If anyone on the Gold Coast is looking for a great acupunturist let me know and I will give you the details. He is also into natural medicine and is helping me with other health issues.

[Sara69]

Hi Molly,

Thanks for your message in the other forum, just saw your post and wanted to add that I am taking garlic tablets and drinking tomato juice which also is both supposed to help with circulation. Also going to acupuncture and think it's great. Wishing you good luck with your treatment.

Sara