Doing Acupunture for fertility? Where does your acupuncturist put the needles??

I stated acupuncture last night... Loved It!   But it got me to thinking... Where does everyone's acupunturist put the needles when you go for any fertility issues?  IVF, IUI, clomid, FET's ect...

I showed him pic's from my hysteroscopy and where my adhesions were removed from, and asked him to help "heal" those areas...

He did both feet, several up my lower right leg, a couple in left leg, several in stomach/pelvic area, and 2 in my right thumb.
It was my first visit, so I do not know it it will be the same every time, but wanted to get feedback from the other ladies on their experiences.

P.S.  I Swear I could feel a difference after I left!  I know that my sound crazy, but I actually woke up last night and could "feel" my uterus... if that makes sense??  

I think I could become addicted! ha ha!

[plumber43]

Hi, I have had 8 acupuncture sessions at different times in my cycle and some were very different.  She always put one between my eyes(I forgot to tell u about that one) while waiting for AF she put one between my thumb and fore finger..wow that really hurt a lot, it's for head aches and to help AF. Both my feet between my big toes, my lower legs, my belly, that one must have a direct line to my uterus! She lights some kind of herbs on top  of it, it gets hot....then she puts one on my back and also lights the moxa!...my next one is Friday and my FET is July 21st!

[kris71]

When I went for my iui's and ivf. She put them in all the places you mentioned as well as one in chest and on in head. Also, in both ears. I always feel a difference when I leave. I feel happier and more relaxed too. I have to start going back.  

[plumber43]

Hi, I have had 8 acupuncture sessions at different times in my cycle and some were very different.  She always put one between my eyes(I forgot to tell u about that one) while waiting for AF she put one between my thumb and fore finger..wow that really hurt a lot, it's for head aches and to help AF. Both my feet between my big toes, my lower legs, my belly, that one must have a direct line to my uterus! She lights some kind of herbs on top  of it, it gets hot....then she puts one on my back and also lights the moxa!...my next one is Friday and my FET is July 21st!

[wanabb]

I just went for my first yesterday too.  I am 6 DPO so the accupuncturist said he wouldn't put some in assuming i'm pregnant.  I had four on either leg two inside calf two outside calf.  one on inside heel both feet. one on each arm about four inches below my thumb just above my radial artery.  and one in each ear.  He wiped my forehead to put one in but then said that was one he was avoiding and never put one in.  Also none in my belly.  But he said he would if this cycle failed but only pre-ovulation.  I also think i'm addicted now!  I felt a warm sensation within a few minutes, very relaxing.  

[piscean4]

mine usually puts 7 on the stomach / uterus area and 3 in each of the legs...she uses a heating lamp and last session, she did teh electric stimulation ...

[kris71]

Mine also uses a heating lamp. also - a few days before trigger and retrieval, she hooked me up to this machine that sent electric currents through my stomach... she said it was to help the follicle growth etc. I guess that's the electric stimulation...

[plumber43]

Mine always uses a heat lamp on my feet!

[nshapland]

mine does quite a few on my legs. a couple on my feet, on my stomach (if I'm not in the 2WW), a couple places on my hand (one for FSH b/c mine is borderline high)--and for stress, on my head and in the middle of my forehead.  She always puts a heating lamp on my feet, too.

[mhv]

hmmm... wonder what the one in the head is for?  Or the heat lamp (at least at my first visit) I didn't get that one on my visit.
Isn't it interesting to see all the different places that the acupuncturist's put the needles?  No 2 are the same!  

I hope more people respond to this... very interesting!  Does Everyone's/Anyone's acupunturist specialize in feritlity?  Mine doesn't but he lived in Tiwain for years, and must know what he's doing because I swear I woke up Wednesday night "feeling" my uterus.  For lack of a better explanation...

[plumber43]

Hi M,
   I go again tonight, My Acupuncturist told me the reason she uses the heat lampon my feet is because my feet are still for about an hour and they tend to get cold, I'll find out what the one between the eyes is for.
Melanie

[mhv]

ahhh.... good explanation!  Yeah, let me know what she says about the one between the eyes.... : )
Melissa

[nshapland]

My first acupuncturist was very big on avoiding cold. In fact, he told me to wear socks or closed shoes even in summer and avoid all cold drinks/foods. He put the heat lamp on my feet b/c he felt it was very important to keep the feet warm.  He does specialize in fertility and has a website w/ truly amazing statistics/case studies etc. Unfortunately he is an hour away from me (in Irvine) and I couldn't take the driving.
My new acupuncturist also puts the heatlamp on my feet, but I think it's just so they don't get cold if the a?c is on. She also specializes in fertility. She puts the needle between my eyes and on my head for anxiety/stress.
Unfortunately my FSH rose from 8.9 to 11.7 after acupuncture and while I don't think the acupuncture caused it, I am bummed it didn't prevent it. I've been going religiously since March. I'm going to keep going though.  A lot of people  have had luck when doing acupuncture in conjunction w/ IVF

[plumber43]

Hi M! So she told me the one between my eyes was for stress and for relaxation, she also did the moxa again, one on each of my legs (shin) and one on my belly. Both big toes, one ankle, the other one hurt so bad she had to take it out,  This session was different but I think because it's just before my transfer.
Melanie

[mhv]

The one my acupunurist put by my ankle hurt too, not bad enough to have it taken out, but I definately knew it was in  there!  It's interesting to see how this all evolves through each visit : )  Glad to hear from you and you only have 5 days!  You have got to be getting excited!  When are they going to start thawing your babies : )

[plumber43]

You know I never asked, I'm guessing they thaw them the day of.

[mhv]

They probably do it the day before transfer... I don't know what I was thinking.  I think I was thinking about my embies.  They were frozen on day 2.... so they have to be thawed earlier to get to a 3 or blast day transfer.

[plumber43]

I believe mine were frozen at the end of day three.

[mhv]

ahhh.. they will probably thaw them tues night then : )

[mhv]

24 hours!!!!   Yipeee!!  Your 2ww starts tomorrow!  I sure hope your future little baby is getting thawed this evening! : )

[plumber43]

Me too, I'm feeling really positive this time and I pray my 2ww isn't as painful as the last time! And NO hpt this time!  Lol. I'll keep you posted : )

[mhv]

I am thinking of you and hoping all 4 embryos survive the thaw!  Please post when you get home on how many!  I am sooo excited for you!!  2ww... here you come!

[mhv]

Went to my appt last Wednesday for acupunture... he says he doesn't want to see me back until 3 wks before my transfer date... then I will go twice a week... forgot to ask how long after transfer I would be going...
I loved it though!  Although, I did get 1 bruise afterwards

[plumber43]

Hey Mel,
   Tonight I had the last session before my beta...one on top of my head one on each of my wrists and one each below my ankles...then.....she burned 3 moxas on each of my shins....then......4 moxas on my belly...one at a time.  Wow I hope this works for me!
SSBD to All of Us!!!!!!!
Melanie

[wanabb]

I just wanted to add I got my first BFP at 13 DPO!!  i'm not so sure it was because of the accupuncture but it didn't hurt :)

[plumber43]

Congradulations on your BFP!!!!! Yay!  : )

[mhv]

Congratulations!  That is awesome news!!!!!  Go Acupunture! Awesome!!!!

[fertilitypfcla]

acupuncture really helps with infertility as it is considered to be an effectual treatment of infertility...

[mhv]

Well, many of us are trying it : )  So, hopefully, we will all get positive results : )  Thanks for the input!   I had surgery to remove uterine adhesions... does it help to heal the uterus?

[plumber43]

Hi Mel,
   My acupuncturist told me that it helps with the blood flow to the uterus, so I believe that yes it will help in the healing process!  How are you feeling?

[mhv]

That's what I'm hoping for!  I even took the images from my hysteroscopy to him to show him where the adhesions were so he could concentrate on those areas : )  He said he believed he could help in the healing process, God I pray he was right : )  I can't wait to have my f/u testing so I can be confident that I am scare free!
When is your BETA?  You have to be getting close! right?

[plumber43]

Hey Mel,
Beta is Monday. Took hpt today, 9dpfet....bfn, I hope , I hope and pray!
Melanie

[trh0819]

I only had two treatments as recommended by my RE. I had one 30 minutes prior to transfer in a room with a heat lamp and immediately after in the recovery room, no heating. The acupuncturist specializes in fertility treatment. First time she put one in my head, one in each wrist, two in my stomach, two in my thighs and two just above my feet. Right after there was nothing in my head or stomach but two well above my wrists, two lower than my thigh, and two mid calf. This may sound weird, but I could FEEL the blood moving through me. Such a bizarre sensation. I don't know if acupuncture is what did it, but I am now 10w5d after transferring 2 blasts on day 5. I hadn't done treatment before and haven't continued but definitely would do it again next time.  Good luck to all of you!

[mhv]

I don't think your crazy!  I swear that after my first acupunture appointment, I woke up that nite "feeling" my uterus!  It was the weirest sensation EVER!!!  I went early because I needed blood flow to help "heal" my uterus after a sugical hysteroscopy.  I will go be 2x's a week 3 weeks before transfer date.

[mhv]

I have my fingers and toes crossed for you and am praying for you too!  Good Luck and please let me know!

xoxo,
Melissa