Anonymous wrote:Can anyone recommend an accupuncturist in DC ?

I'm positive Shu Fan helped my 7-day blast become my darling little girl. I needed to feel like I did everything I could to tip the odds in my favor.

Anonymous wrote:In my 3 IVFs and 2 FETs, the 2 rounds where I did acupuncture (just the day of implantation and 2 days after), were my successful ones. Could be coincidence but it was my experience.

Same experience here. I did the before/after acupuncture same day as transfer, and also weekly appointments for the 6 weeks or so ahead of transfer. I did acupuncture for 2 out of 3 cycles, and those were the successful ones

My clinic only recommended acupuncture prior to FET not IVF. (Although in the end was not eligible for IUI, I don't think it was a recommendation prior to IUI either because they didn't discuss it like they did with FET.) In any case did acupuncture prior to FET with someone covered by my insurance (not one of the fertility ones they recommended who were all not covered by insurance.) All I can say is that FET was successful. (Of course can't know whether it would have been successful without acupuncture...but I was glad I did it...).

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone recommend an accupuncturist in DC ?

Kerri Westhauser is amazing. I hadn't had a period in 4 months after a miscarriage and my RE put my on BCP to try to induce a withdrawal bleed. I saw her while I was on the BCP and a day later I started bleeding. My nurse couldn't understand why I was bleeding while on BCP. Kerri didn't suggest, and I didnt take any herbs, just acupuncture. I tried to see her again but she was sort of flighty with the email responses and I just sort of moved on but I would highly recommend.

Heal From Within in NW DC is the one I went to...I liked it although I went when I was not doing IVF and I did not conceive while under accupuncture treatment (I did notice other health improvements from it though!). However, she specializes in acupuncture for IVF patients and even has a support group you can participate in!

Can anyone recommend an accupuncturist in DC ?

I would say that if you want to try it, call an accupuncturist and see when in your IVF cycle they recommend you start. A good one will answer any of your questions. Mine wanted me to come once a week beginning with my period. I think it did help with other issues, like digestion and allergies, but I did not conceive with it and so far, no impact on my second IVF cycle (follicles are trending the same as before).

I’ll be doing an FET cycle when my next period starts and I’m just wondering when you should be doing acupuncture (before or after transfer, or both)?

I've found it relaxing, but it's never really done anything for me (I tried it for chronic back pain, and again for morning sickness).

I stopped after several sessions because it was so expensive, and because it just didn't seem to do anything real.

I'm told to start acupuncture as soon as you menstruate, and then continue it and do it again twice the day of retrieval. does that sound good?

Is it important to take the herbs?

In my 3 IVFs and 2 FETs, the 2 rounds where I did acupuncture (just the day of implantation and 2 days after), were my successful ones. Could be coincidence but it was my experience.

Doing anything that relaxes you can’t hurt and probably helps during fertility treatment. I got massages and facials during my IVF and transfer cycles.

Yes. I didn't believe in it until I tried it. There were clear results for me.

However, the day after the 2nd treatment I had a migraine so bad that I vomited multiple times. I'm positive it was related to the acupuncture. It "cleared blockages" but sometimes had significant side effects.

I just started going through fertility treatment (had my first medicated IUI last month).

My insurance doesn't cover acupuncture and I heard it can get pricey.

Do you think it's worth it? If so, any good experiences with a particular specialist?