Acupuncture in first trimester

Question

I have read mixed reviews on the topic, but what do you think?  Anyone do acupuncture through their first trimester?  The provider that I see specializes in fertility and was referred to my by my RE when I was going through IVF.  Now I am wondering if I should keep going.  Thanks ladies!

Kricket212 · Answer

I am going to acupuncture 3x's a week for the last month.  I will have having my transfer mid february so hopeing my body will be ready.  I love it also!!!

GinaGi · Answer

i love acupucture i have done it three months before i got pregnant and  i think she really helped in  making my egg very strong  with the stimulation she did . I also did it throughout my 1st  trimester she helped me with naussea and stress. I was very paranoid though so i asked a lot of questions and she put my stress at ease. now i am in my 2nd trimester i do it every two weeks and i am very carefree about it she knows all the points and would never put me or my baby in harms way.

Mariana101 · Answer

I wouldn't do acupuncture the first trimester. I don't want to be mean to my acupuncture lady but my five week ultrasound was perfect and then I did acupuncture the sixth week of pregnancy and I had a pain in my uterus area during the procedure and then in my seventh week ultrasound the baby was dead. It was way too traumatic for me and I will probably never do it during pregnancy at all. I know it sounds stupid but I wanted that baby so bad. This happened this past summer and after 4 failed IVF I got pregnant naturally and lost it. I know the baby probably died due to chromosomal problems but right after the acupuncture session and the pain I felt weird and did not feel pregnant anymore the next day so I was very nervous for the seven week ultrasound.
If you are going to do it, tell the lady so she does the right spots and does not harm the baby..... you can always do yoga, walk, meditate etc to relax

Did you have a second beta?
My second beta is Tuesday and my ultrasound is not until Feb 15 or so... so far away!!!
I'm still doing the progesterone injections but 1.5cc and taking the Estrace 2 pills twice a day plus the baby aspirin.

How are you feeling?
I feel awesome... just a bit tired but my boobs are not bothering me at all:)

XOXOXOXO
Take care little Bean:)

JoyRenee · Answer

No, no, no! No worries whatsoever. You did not come off as singling me out. I just simply stated why I didn't do acupuncture (religious reasons) and hoped someone else would be able to better answer the person's question. I knew you were just answering peekawho's inquiry. I must apologize if I came off rude as well as that was definitely not my intention.

BeeHappy76 · Answer

I did not mean to sound like I was singling you out or responding to you specifically, as there were several people in the forum who responded on both sides of the issue, so I apologize if my comment came across as directed to you personally. I was just stating what I know about the topic since several people asked, and was just stating my opinion from my own viewpoint. I believe that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and I have no interest in religious debates.

JoyRenee · Answer

I simply stated I didn't do acupuncture for my beliefs. By responding to this post I was simply giving the original poster a friendly bump up to the top of the forum as her response was left unanswered for many hours and had gotten lost. 

BeeHappy- that is not why I don't believe in it. And I don't think what I believe in really matters to the original poster. The people asking don't really care what I meant; they question everything I say in regards to religious viewpoints.  Like I said, was just giving the post a friendly bump so her question didn't go unanswered but I'm not going to start a debate on religion on a pregnancy topic.

BeeHappy76 · Answer

Several fundamental Christian pastors have spread the idea that Eastern medicine is anti-Christian. They say acupuncture, yoga, tai-chi, and other parts of Eastern medicine are anti-Christian because some of their concepts are based on principles of Eastern philosophy. These pastors are equally against the theory evolution, and some of the concepts and much of modern drug development in modern medicine is based on the principles of the theory of evolution. In my opinion, using Eastern medicine makes you a believer in Eastern religion just as much as going to the regular doctor makes you a believer in evolution. I am a Christian and I see both western and eastern medicine doctors, and don't think that has any bearing on my religion. Just my opinion...

BeeHappy76 · Answer

I have been going weekly for the past few mos. I got BFP 2 wks ago and will continue weekly through the 1st trimester. I have a history of m/c and it is supposed to help with prevention (unless it is a genetic issue, then it can't help). Plus, I love it like you and it is so relaxing. My acupuncturist said he can help reduce symptoms of morning sickness. But he also said he always asks first and many of his ivf patients say they don't want to lose the morning sickness b/c it reassures them that they are still pregnant! :) Good luck, and congrats on your bfp.

jschoch8 · Answer

Acupuncture, like yoga, are bases from eastern religions.

beanandsprout · Answer

Thanks for your responses ladies!  I am going to continue to go because I LoVE it and it relaxes this stress case woman!  I simply wondered what other pregnant experiences were out there and if they felt like it eased morning sickness, headaches, constipation, etc.  I am just barely pregnant, so this is all super new to me!

I have never heard of the religious aspect either...in fact, my acupuncturist is a Christian!?!?

krichar · Answer

I am not sure why... I am catholic and have no issues with going. Even teachers at our catholic school go...?

peekawho · Answer

I'm curious..what is remotely considered against Christianity regarding acupuncture?  There is no prayer involved, and you don't need any particular beliefs...you don't even have to believe that it works!  

It helped me, and I hold no beliefs in particular, was never asked anything about religion, and it wasn't presented as anything other than an alternative method of healing naturally.

Why is it anti-Christian?  I really want to learn why, thanks.

krichar · Answer

I did accupuncture up till 2weeks (about 5 weeks pregnant) after my bfp. I went twice during the week of transfer. I was going to keep going because it really worked on the nausea and dizziness I had but then I got scared because I wasn't feeling "pregnant" anymore. Then when I got over that my dh's benefits changed and I now need a doctors note to go and I haven't asked yet! If I could I would still go! I think it just helps... My accupunturist said there are pressure points that help induce labor when the time is right but won't cause miscarriage but someone is really worried she avoids those areas all together! Its a personal choice!! I would go...

AnnieBrooke · Answer

My RE's office told me that the research shows IVF patients had better success rates when they did acupuncture than when they did not.  I believe that was related to getting pregnant rather than keeping a pregnancy.