Acupuncture and IVF

[Anonymous]

For those of you who did IVF and had a successful cycle on the first time, did you do acupuncture? I would love to do it, but money is tight right now, and our insurance doesn't cover IVF. We are paying out of pocket, and have spent the last couple months saving. I would love to do acupuncture but it is out of the question financially. I would love to hear some positive stories of those who didn't do it. Do you recommend doing any meditation and yoga videos to help? Is there anything out there we can do? Do you suggest just doing it once, and if so, before or after transfer?

Feeling sad right now.

[Anonymous]

The only scientific stodgy of it indicated that it may help after transfer. If you feel you can and want to pay for a single session, it should be the one immediately after transfer. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

*study not stodgy

[Anonymous]

I had a successful cycle the first time and did not add anything like that on bc like you it was all out of pocket. Good luck

[Anonymous]

Three time successful transfer and not a single session of acupuncture.

[Anonymous]

Did acupuncture through 5 cycles with my own eggs and didn’t have any successful IVF cycles.

Did one donor egg cycle with no acupuncture and it was a success.

I don’t think the acupuncture is what makes the difference!

[Anonymous]

Acupuncture is amazing emotionally and mentally. If you can afford even one session, it may be beneficial. I did it after my egg retrieval and transfer and was successful on the first IVF. I read about the science before, but can't remember all of it now! I think it can definitely help, but I also don't think it's a make or break thing. I know the agony of going over every decision and agonizing. I wish you great success!

[Anonymous]

I did acupuncture for my 2nd transfer. Didn’t work. I did acupuncture for my 3rd transfer. It worked. No idea if it helped.

[Anonymous]

I did acupuncture in between my two cycles. It did nothing. I did not conceive naturally that cycle and the subsequent egg retrieval did not produce anymore eggs or embryos than the retrieval immediately beforehand. It was too expensive to continue and honestly, finding time for the appointments was stressful/difficult. I don’t think it helped me. I find other ways to relax and reduce stress.

[Anonymous]

My clinic only recommended it for FET and I think that is the only place where there is some scientific support. While I had no insurance coverage for IVF I did have it for acupuncture although none of the ones my fertility clinic recommended were covered. (They also had a setup where they had acupuncturists come in to clinic day of transfer and treat you before and after FET but that would have all been OOP. So instead I went to one covered by my insurance had 4 sessions pre transfer 1 day of transfer and 1 a few days after transfer. FET was a success. Not sure it had anything to do with acupuncture but I don’t regret the $180 dollars ($30 copay x 6). I would consider looking for lower cost acupuncture places (sometimes there are community ones that group treat for less after initial consultation) for FET but wouldn’t worry if you decide even that is too much.

[Anonymous]

I did acupuncture while trying to conceive naturally (which didn't work after a year and I ended up IVF). I enjoyed it at first but it ended up becoming a stressful reminder that I wasn't getting pregnant. I stopped long before we started our IVF cycle which was successful on the first transfer...

[Anonymous]

I tried it with my IVF cycle and it added one more appointment to the never ending appointments and added more stress so I was one and done. Have two IVF kids and one on the way.

[Anonymous]

I had a successful first cycle without acupuncture. You’ll probably get a skewed response here though and you’re better off looking up real data. Like other posters, I didn’t want to deal with more appointments and additional costs. I worked on cleaning up my diet and taking egg quality supplements a few months prior.

[Anonymous]

My first IVF cycle (fresh transfer) was successful without acupuncture. I had actually tried acupuncture months before during a failed iui and absolutely hated it, lol. Not for me.

[Anonymous]

I also had a successful first transfer without acupuncture!