acupuncture and herbs...

Question

My first IVF just failed and I found out today that RE won't even see me again until Feb. 18th - a mandatory 2 cycle wait.  I can't just sit back and do nothing, so I am taking things into my own hands until the FET.  I started the ovulation monitor this a.m. and Omega-3 fish oil.  I have a call into the acupuncturist to start that and I am starting counseling, as well.

My question is that many folks talk about herbs and diet - does anyone have any specific recommendations?

Chrissieanddan · Answer

thanks honey I am feeling much better today..
Although now a bit scared to test next week lol
hope your doing ok
Sending you loads of baby dust & hugs x

wanting4#1 · Answer

Thank you!  I am meeting with the acupuncturist tomorrow evening and will definitely bring up the False Unicorn Root - I have read stuff about it too - but just want to make sure that it would be okay for me, personally!

I am also going to start getting dh to take some herbs. Right now, he only takes a multivitamin!  I just bought the book "Prescriptions for Natural  Healing" (I had it years ago and lost it), but it reiterates alot of what I am reading on line...

Thanks, again!

diana1975 · Answer

7 Days is too too early..relax Chrissieanddan and take it easy...wish u all the Best

natashalo8 · Answer

i also read somewhere that False Unicorn Root (chamaelirium luteum) is believed to aid in reproduction. Not really sure what it's supposed to do or help with. I think the fish oil is supposed to be really great. The unicorn root can be found at any health and herbal stores. As with all medicines/herbs, I would do my research. You need to have a good idea what exactly an herb or medicine contains before putting it into your body. Best of luck.

Chrissieanddan · Answer

Yeah I was really early I am not supposed to do one til the 11th,
I am hoping your right I really want this to work x x
I would get a negative even if it was positive wouldnt I? its only 7 days today x

diana1975 · Answer

test early means--is your 14 days over..?don't get into any test b4 14 days..that might not be correct

Chrissieanddan · Answer

I did a test early & got a BFN so I am really sad right now
It is all so hard..

Wishing you all the luck chrissie x

babyalive · Answer

I just purchased a GREAT book called "The Fertility Cure" by Randine Lewis.  It talks about how TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) is used for fertility.   If you're able I'd highly recommend it.  It gives you ways of diagnosing your particular problems and remedies for it.  Even listing which accupuncture/accupressure points to use so you if you can't get to an accupuncturist, you can use accupressure on yourself and still have good results.  Some of the herbs they recommend are:

1. Eat alkaline foods rather than acidic foods. Alkaline foods are vegetables, non-citrus fruits, cereal grasses (wheatgrass, barley grass) and herbs like black cohosh and valerian root.  (acidic foods to avoid - meats, dairy, most grains - basically my entire diet!!)

2. Get lots of essential fatty acids: fish, fish oil, nonhydrogenatd cold pressed oils like flaxseed and pumpkin seed oils, eggs soy, raw nuts and seeds. Also wintergreen vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, rutabga, brussel sprouts.

(Just a note, I've read some sources say not to eat flaxseed during pregnancy, others say it's good for you.  My OB said it's fine.  Use  your own judgement)

3. Take Coenzyme Q-10.

Eliminate caffeine.  If you need your morning coffee they recommend green tea. It has antioxidan effects that coffee doesn't.  It has some caffeine, just not as much as coffee.

Good luck.  I'm just learning this info. myself.  So, I'll be shopping at the healthfood store today.  What the heck, let's give it a try!

diana1975 · Answer

how is going with as of now..you are on how many days now?wish u all the best for  a healthy baby

diana1975 · Answer

mine  also male factor..my 1st ivf failed and b4 going for 2nd ivf preparing for acupuncture..my hubby is  alergic to L-Carnitine

Chrissieanddan · Answer

I have a book on natural solutions to infertility.

Men should take: L-Arginine to increase sperm count & quality (1000 mg a day)
                          L-Carnitine to increase count & mobility (100mg a day)
                          Zinc & selenium (zing 30mg a day for you both & 100mcg a day each)
                          Saw Palmetto, supposed to be the best herb for male reproductive  
                          system.

herbal medicine for you: Agnus Castus, regulates periods, restarts periods, helps with heavy bleeding, increases the ratio of progesterone to oestrigen by balancing the excess oestregen, This is a good hormone balancer, increases progesterone, & higher prolactin levels. Also helps if your FSH level is to high.

                                    **** Quai, tones a weak uterus, regulates irregular periods, alleviates period pains, reduces spotting, helps with absent periods.

                                    False Unicorn Root (Chamaelirium Luteum), can help with endometriosis, after a miiscarriage, any infection in pelvis area, ovarian cysts. balances hormones, regulises delayed or absent periods. Good tonic for female reproductive system.

I did take agnus castus for a while but then started IVF, mine is a male factor, so dh was on selenium, zinc, & L-Arginine I also made him go for acupuncture. & so did I.
Hope this helps x
Good luck

diana1975 · Answer

how are u now--hope everything is working fine with u

miky72 · Answer

Hi!
I'm on my IVF #2.
IO had a positive bloodwork on Saturday and Today but the numebrs are on the low side (today 80)so we are not sure if is going to stick.
Good luck!

Tima · Answer

my fert specialist is the one who referred me to accupuncture, her office saw an increase in their preg rates when women and men started getting treatments. She had left me to decide whether I should take herbs or not as there is not much research that it is good or bad during trying to concieve. So I took them. My OB does not believe in herbs so had me stop at 12wks and that was probably how long the accupuncturist recommended it anyway. But I continued treatments until I was put on bed rest at 28 wks after being discharged from hospital due to preterm labor symptoms.  I had done treatments 2.5 months before trying my second FET and both embryoes took.I highly recommend it. Good luck.

anne72 · Answer

Miky72 is right you should consult your r.e before taking the herbs. My old r.e wasn't happy about me taking them but my new one is all for the herbs!

diana1975 · Answer

Did u conceive naturally or ivf or something else? please let me know

miky72 · Answer

I'm doing acupuncture since 3 months and I'm not sure it helped this time since I'm not sure if this pregnancy will be viable.
I think you should talk to your RE regarding the herbs.
Mine is ok with the acupuncture but do not allow the herbs.
I would give them a call and check.
SSBD,
Miky

diana1975 · Answer

Thank u Anne--yeah i made an appointment for feb 9th..lets hope for the Best..and wish all the Best too..

anne72 · Answer

I had only started acupuncture with my last fet, so there wasn't really time for it to have worked.I started to feel the results of it a few months after starting. I have endo and the acupuncture and herbs helped with that some much. Also the clinic i attend have so many sucess stories. So i really do believe it helps with ivf! I am doing an iui , but if it doesn't work it's back to ivf for me. I say you go for it!

diana1975 · Answer

so after acupuncture was your ivf successful or are u still on acupuncture and have not gone on your next ivf

diana1975 · Answer

so sorry to hear abt u aslchick..its horrible ..i just had my ivf failure so i really can understand how one goes through when this fails.. but we have to be positive and think what our next step should be..why don't u also try acupuncture i am sure there cannot be standard recommendation as everyone's body and its reaction is preety different///

anne72 · Answer

So sorry, and i know how frustrating it is to wait. I had the same experience with my r.e.
I would highly recommend my dr for the herbs and acupuncture but......i live in Canada. Sorry i couldn't help out. Also i cant be specific about herbs because my dr changes the herb prescription every 2 weeks. everyone is different in what they need. Good luck!