Acupuncture may improve IVF success
Categories: Pregnancy & birth, Places to go, Medical conditions, In the news
While I was lucky to be able to achieve both of my pregnancies without medical intervention, I've had a number of friends who faced infertility. Hormone shots, artificial inseminations, in vitro fertilization -- many experienced the whole range of interventions in hopes of conceiving a pregnancy. With each try, they had to face the fact that it was very much a game of chance. Often, there isn't a lot that can improve the odds aside from following protocol and staying healthy.One friend turned to alternative medicine and began seeing an acupuncturist in addition to her infertility doctor. Acupuncture has been used in China for hundreds of years to regulate the female reproductive system. A few pokes later (pun intended), and now she's chasing a toddler around the house.
Turns out, her good results may not have been just luck. Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for Integrative Medicine have reviewed studies of the use of acupuncture in women undergoing IVF. The results of their analysis suggest that acupuncture used during IVF treatment can increase the odds of a pregnancy. Researchers say that an average of ten women would need to use acupuncture to gain one pregnancy.
Results are preliminary, but I think many women undergoing IVF would consider adding acupuncture to their infertility endeavors if they thought it could help.
Have you faced infertility? Did you ever consider or use complementary or alternative approaches during treatment?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Christina 2-21-2008 @ 9:29AM
I am a believer in acupuncture! I started on it for neck/shoulder/back troubles and the person I go to is amazing! I have hardly any troubles any longer, I run again something I could not do without absolute and total meltdown migraines for days after and I am now pregnant with number two and she can do some crazy stuff (Which BTW she basically told me I was pg a week before I knew I was PG which is just kooky!) Like I told of my troubles with constipation (TMI, sorry!) and like that I have no troubles.
She also told me that when it gets down to the time to deliver she can be very helpful in that regard as well (she sited several instances where she had women who had difficult 1st births and the 2nd birth they came to her and had no trouble at all!) I believe her mostly because of the "magic" she has performed for me in other areas of my life and also this pregnancy has been so much different (of course I know there are other factors for that I am sure but seriously I think there is a correlation...)
All in all, my advise is go to someone with excellent training and/or who comes highly recommended and has experience with women who have been pregnant or have had trouble getting pregnant but definitely give it a try.
Finally, if you fear needles that is not a reason NOT to try. These are not needles per say that they stick in you - it is a relatively painless process. She even let me touch one of the "needles" to see how flexible and soft it was so I was not nervous! Sure there some places that are more sensitive to the process but if the person you go to is good you will not feel a thing through the whole process.
TOTAL CRAZED ADVOCATE!!!
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elisabeth 2-21-2008 @ 4:32PM
I suffered a miscarriage after my first son was born. I was 7 weeks, 4 days along. I waited a month and we began to try again.
While trying to conceive, I was experiencing lower back pain. I knew acupuncture had supposedly helped a few people I knew to get pregnant, plus, if it got rid of my back pain, I was set!
I think I went a total of 5 times. I got pricked right around/before ovulation and before my cycle ended.
On my 5th appointment, I told my guy I had tested that morning and was in deed, pregnant.
I can't guarantee that the acupuncture was the reason why did get pregnant, but my back pain also went away the moment I found out we were expecting son #2.
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Eva 2-21-2008 @ 8:58PM
I went through several years' worth of infertility, but did not try alternative therapies. I'm glad if they work for some.
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Pat 2-22-2008 @ 9:52AM
I'm glad there is something else out there for couples wanting a child. When my husband and I tried years ago we did the shots and the whole route, but for us it did not work. This was really ok- because we adopted two beautiful girls at different times and they turned out to be wonderful young women and we could of never of done any better with me getting pregnant.
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