my IVF journey #4
acupuncture as all the hormone injections aren't enough - I feel the need to subject myself to even more needles
Ever since we decided to have IVF I have been in the process of getting my body ready for it. IVF is obviously costing us a small fortune to do so I decided that if we were going to do it I was going to throw everything at it that I possibly could and so for me that included acupuncture.
You know how it goes - a cousin of a friend of a friend knew someone who had been TTC for years and then they did a round of acupuncture and suddenly they were pregnant. But also a close friend’s sister had done a round of IVF and it didn’t work. Then she did a 2nd round and also got acupuncture and it did. So she gave me the details of her acupuncturist.
Now I am not here to tell anyone to do acupuncture or advocate it in any way. I don’t know yet if my IVF is going to work, but I thought it might be useful for someone for me to share my experience. I will let you do your own research into the tenuous at best evidence for acupuncture supporting fertility.
So there are specialist acupuncturists for different ailments and the woman I see has a specialist interest in woman’s health including fertility, pregnancy and the menopause. My particular acupuncturist is also an ex ICU nurse so she has a good understanding medically about what’s going on, she understands all the medications I am on and she has a lovely bedside manner.
My 1st appointment was 75mins long where she took an extremely detailed history from me and also did a treatment. Every appointment since then is about 45 mins. Each time she asks exactly where I am in my cycle or now in my treatment and adjusts what she does accordingly.
The exact number of needles that she uses vary from treatment to treatment but it includes, one on my big toe, several up each ankle and shin, several around my navel, one on each hand, a couple on each wrist and lastly one between my eyebrows. I have had a couple in my scalp occasionally and once one on each ear.
You really don’t feel the needles going in. Apparently acupuncture has a cumulative effect so over time I have noticed especially on my legs a little electric like shock when the needles go in. It isn’t sore but I am just aware of it. You forget they are even in when you are lying there.
Once they are all in place she dims the lights and plays plinky plonky music and I must admit its very relaxing. I thought I might fall asleep but I never have. But it’s nice just giving yourself time to lie still with your eyes closed for 30mins.
So can I say it is categorically doing anything to increase my fertility? No. So why do I keep going? Which is a reasonable question! And the answer is 2 reasons. One - I really do feel relaxed while I am there. IVF is a very stressful and anxiety inducing process so surely anything you can do to reduce the stress is a good thing. Two - it allows me to feel I am doing everything I can to make this successful. If I had a round of IVF and it didn’t work, I would always wonder if it would be different if I had done acupuncture. I am giving my future self-permission to know I did everything I could.
For me these 2 reasons are enough to leave my medical brain at the door and do the alternative therapy thing.
There are only 2 negatives. Well three if you count the £. 1. It’s an hr round trip to the clinic. 2. A few weeks ago right in the middle of a treatment when I was covered in needles there was a fire alarm in the building which turned out to be a real fire. Waiting for her to safely remove the needles whilst I could hear everyone else evacuating kinda ruined the chill vibe.
Anyway I hope that answered any questions curious people might have. If I have missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and I will try my best to answer.
And please share this with anyone going through infertility or IVF that might find my story helpful.