Acupuncture or IVF?

Email
Name

Acupuncture or IVF?

by Andi
(Hannibal, MO)

Hello Amelia,
I have been trying to get pregnant for over 4 years now. I became pregnant last year at age 37 (1 month before my 38 birthday). On my first ultrasound visit, the doctor could not find a heartbeat and 2 days later I had a D & C.

I have been devastated ever since and on the borderline of obsessive. At least I know I can get pregnant, but I am scared it will take another 4 years to achieve it. I have had all fertility tests done and I am healthy and in the clear. (My FSH is at 6.)

My mom had a child when she was 42 and all my sisters are fertile. I have been undergoing acupuncture 1 to 2 times a week for the past 3 months, drinking herbal teas nightly, taking "Womens Precious" (Chinese herbal formula,) taking prenatal vitamins, and drinking "Vit C-Protein-Milk Thistle-Maca-Spirulina" smoothies, etc.

I feel so desperate inside and feel like I am my own worst enemy. I am nearly deaf from the sound of my clock ticking. I admit I do feel better in my mind, but was wondering if I should keep up the acupuncture and for how long? How many times a week should I go, once, twice?? At what point in time should I consider IVF? Is there anything you could recommend at my desperate now-or-never age of 39.5???

Nearly Deaf in Missouri,
Andi

Comments for
Acupuncture or IVF?

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Rating

Acupuncture or IVF?
by: Amelia Hirota

Hi Andi,
Deciding between acupuncture or IVF and when to move on to IVF is a tough decision. I've helped a few patients recently with this same decision and I understand the brevity of your situation with your age being 39.5 years old.

Personally, I think that the best TCM fertility plan involves weekly acupuncture treatments, strong personalized herbal formulas, dietary therapy and lifestyle counseling.

Three months of acupuncture is a good start. Are you charting your cycles? Does your acupuncturist go over your charts thoroughly? Definitely taking Women's Precious herbal formula is not enough in my opinion. Time is of the essence and your body probably needs the deep nourishment and balancing that Chinese herbs can give when prescribed to your presentation.

You didn't mention your partner's sperm? Has it been checked and if so, what are the numbers? I find that many miscarriages that occur in the 6-8 week range are due to poor quality sperm.

I'm not a fan of Maca for women and I generally don't recommend mixing up too many supplements, as it can be a lot for the liver to deal with.

I find in the clinic that women who stay on my program of weekly acupuncture, personalized herbal formulas, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle changes get pregnant within 6 months. It takes between 4-6 months for the developing follicles to completely mature. If you're ovulating, your fallopian tubes are clear and your partner has good quality sperm, IVF is not indicated for you.

In your case, I believe that you need stronger herbal therapy and you may want to make appropriate adjustments to your diet and lifestyle. Check out my Teleclasses and Consultations,
where you can design your own successful TCM fertility plan.

Sending Baby Dust Your Way,
Amelia Hirota, Licensed and Board Certified Acupuncturist and Herbalist

X Close Editor

Rating

Submitted by: Amelia Hirota

Title

Comment
Hi Andi, Deciding between acupuncture or IVF and when to move on to IVF is a tough decision. I've helped a few patients recently with this same decision and I understand the brevity of your situation with your age being 39.5 years old. Personally, I think that the best TCM fertility plan involves weekly acupuncture treatments, strong personalized herbal formulas, dietary therapy and lifestyle counseling. Three months of acupuncture is a good start. Are you charting your cycles? Does your acupuncturist go over your charts thoroughly? Definitely taking Women's Precious herbal formula is not enough in my opinion. Time is of the essence and your body probably needs the deep nourishment and balancing that Chinese herbs can give when prescribed to your presentation. You didn't mention your partner's sperm? Has it been checked and if so, what are the numbers? I find that many miscarriages that occur in the 6-8 week range are due to poor quality sperm. I'm not a fan of Maca for women and I generally don't recommend mixing up too many supplements, as it can be a lot for the liver to deal with. I find in the clinic that women who stay on my program of weekly acupuncture, personalized herbal formulas, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle changes get pregnant within 6 months. It takes between 4-6 months for the developing follicles to completely mature. If you're ovulating, your fallopian tubes are clear and your partner has good quality sperm, IVF is not indicated for you. In your case, I believe that you need stronger herbal therapy and you may want to make appropriate adjustments to your diet and lifestyle. Check out my <a href="http://www.the-fertility-acupuncturist.com/acupuncture-and-infertility.html">Teleclasses and Consultations,</a> where you can design your own successful TCM fertility plan. Sending Baby Dust Your Way, Amelia Hirota, Licensed and Board Certified Acupuncturist and Herbalist

Cancel Delete Delete & Ban

throbber Updating Comments page...

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Ask The Fertility Acupuncturist!

Discussions

Ask Amelia!

Testimonials

The colon cleanse from Blessed Herbs is great! I've done lots of colon cleanses in the past and this one's the real deal! Thanks for the recommendation!

Hooked on Detoxing,
Julie Starr - Los Angeles

More Testimonials

Fertility Articles

Grab a cup of warm herbal tea and enjoy a good read about how to naturally enhance your fertility in the Article section. You also can just relax and watch informative Videos or listen to educational Podcasts. And don't forget to join in the Discussions! acupuncture-infertility

My name is Nicole and I started working with Amelia after not getting my period for several months after going off birth control pills. I had been on and off birth control pills for 10 years and was ready to start trying for a baby.

At 28 years old (and my husband was 29) we could not imagine that we would have problems conceiving. After 3 months and lots of tests with my OBGYN, I was encouraged to try acupuncture because there were no "medical" reasons why I wasn't getting my period.

After just one appointment with Amelia I got my period and after just 3 or 4 months, I was pregnant. I am now 32 weeks and due in September. We are so excited to meet our baby boy!

I would strongly encourage any woman to give acupuncture a try if they are having trouble conceiving or even just having trouble getting their body ready for conception. Best of luck to all of you!
Read More Stories like Nicole's

The content on The Fertility Acupuncturist should not be considered medical advice and is not meant to treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness.
Specific medical advice should be obtained from your primary physician or a licensed health care practitioner.
None of the content contained in this site may be reproduced without prior consent.
© Copyright 2006-2008 Amelia Hirota, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Design by AJ