1st Acupuncture Appt.

[luvmyponies]

So I had my first acupuncture appointment today. There were a couple things that she said that I'm not sure what to think about...

First she said to stop taking the One A Day prenatal vitamin because it's synthetic... I should be taking a holistic folinic acid/folate (as opposed to folic acid) supplement from a company like Mega Foods. She didn't have a problem with the DHA - but it looks like I still have to buy that one over the counter, and then order the other.

Second, she said I should stop using tampons. I honestly don't think I can do this one... at least not at night. How much of an effect on your fertility is a tampon going to have when you're using it during your period anyway?

She also recommended I have a consultation with a holistic nutritionist. I'm not sure about this one either... the consultation is free, so I suppose it can't hurt. But I'm a pretty healthy person and I honestly don't see myself suddenly doing all my shopping at Whole Foods or making any major changes to my diet. I'm not convinced my bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios in the morning is what's causing my infertility problems. Not too mention, acupuncture isn't exactly cheap and I don't have unlimited money to sign up with a nutritionist too.

What do you guys think? Is acupuncture worth it if you aren't going to make all the other changes?

[URMySunshine77]

I had to smile at your post. It is so easy to go crazy over the organic, whole foods versus regular foods options. My acupuncturist wants me to eat meat to improve the quality of my blood, but I'm vegetarian. I'm sure that I drive her crazy. I won't take Chinese herbs either.

My gal has never mentioned synthetic versus natural vitamins. I can ask her on Monday. If you don't mind the cost, you could take the holistic one after you finish your current bottle.

I would imagine that she is anti-tampons because of the chemical elements used (bleach, for instance). If you like tampons, you can use the organic kind. Seventh Generation might have some.

Personally, I love acupuncture because it feels like a relaxing spa day; however, I'm not convinced that it is helping my fertility. I consider it a healthy way for me to relax and increase blood flow to all organs. Maybe that will contribute to pregnancy when the stars align? I go twice a month.

[luvmyponies]

LOL URMySunshine77! I was looking up natural tampons and found reusable pads! Ewwww! This is not 1950 - I will NOT be using reusable pads lol!

All kidding aside, I would appreciate if you could get your gal's opinion on vitamins. I plan to talk with my RE too, but I'm curious what another acupuncturist thinks.

I did like it, lying there listening to the calm music felt great. Boston IVF does recommend it, and there have been studies showing it's efficacy. It costs the same as my horse trainer - who can't come now with all the snow - so I figure I'll give it a whirl while I wait for the snow to melt!

[wirt2cute]

Glad that your appointment went well. I totally understand not wanting to switch from tampons. That would be hard for me too.

[agpjt413]

Lol!! You guys! I'm dying over here!!! luvmyponies - TIKES! That's so nastay!!!!

I've been thinking about acupuncture too, actually. I don't have any diagnoses that acupuncture falls under as medical treatment (according to my insurance co) so I was wondering if it's expensive if insurance doesn't cover it. (Not asking to disclose amounts, just a yes, no, maybe )

[wannabmama]

luvmyponies reusable pads, hilarious!
I'm following to get more info on acupuncture, I know very little about it.

[boobacat]

I loved it but it was too expensive on top of the RE cost so we cut it out of the budget.

Yours certainly has an interesting, crunchy take. I would not be able to get on board with the tampon thing either. And I agree with you, I doubt that or your cereal are causing problems. Most likely we could all be better off cutting toxins out of our lives here and there but I'm not up for washing reusable pads. The woman I went to recommended a few all natural supplements but for me I'm sticking with the rx's. Maybe you could try increasing your folate in a dietary form instead, along with a recommended pnv from your dr.

I think the acupuncture benefits themselves will be helpful for you. If nothing else a time to relax and clear your mind.

[luvmyponies]

agpjt413 the place I'm going to doesn't even accept insurance. It's $95 for the initial consultation and $65 for each visit (or $60 if you purchase 6 visits at a time.) The acupuncturist knows my RE, a good friend of mine who had IVF went to her, and she has a great reputation - so I figured I'd pay for it out of pocket and see if it helps. I never even considered it until I read about it on the Boston IVF website. It seems like it's actually accepted by the medical community, which makes me think there's something to it, since the medical community is usually anti-anything "alternative" or "holistic."

[aswedishbee]

Where I go isn't terribly expensive - $75 per session, $90 if I get herbs. I wasn't warned about my vitamins or tampons - maybe your acupuncturist is just more old-fashioned or strict?

I did change my diet - not to extremes, but enough that I can feel (and see) a difference. I already have a sensitivity to hormones and with my endometriosis, my acupuncturist really wants me to say away from anything inflammatory so I was told to follow "modified paleo" (no dairy, no soy, no gluten, no GMO, if more than 5 ingredients I better be able to pronounce them all). I make some concessions: I use real butter (but from grass-fed cows) and olive oil instead of ghee or coconut oil; I still use 1 Splenda if I drink black coffee and I try to buy organic fruits, veggies and meat. I don't always succeed but I do my best.

I can tell a difference in my energy levels, sleep and overall well-being. It's supposed to be helping to spread warmth to my extremities but it's hard to know if it's working when it's the middle of winter. My cramps have lessened but not sure how else it's affecting my cycles or fertility. Like URMySunshine77 said, I find it a great way to relax.

If it's not going to break you financially, I would go for at least a month or so to see how you like it - regardless if you adjust the other stuff or not.

[lickwed]

I'm glad you liked the accupuncture part of it. I could never do the holistic part. DD was Dairy/Soy intolerant for almost 2 years. I think she also had some gluten sensitivities, but not an allergy. Doing the dairy, soy, gluten thing for a year was miserable and expensive. She thankfully grew out of the dairy and may still be sensitive to the gluten, but not in anyway that effects her health so we don't treat it as an issue.

As for the no tampon thing, I could not stand it. Tampons til menopause over here.

With the fertility, one of the ladies I teach with was seeing a holistic nutritionist who was changing up her diet and said she would get pregnant. That was over a year ago and no pregnancy announcement yet.

Just my 2 cents.

[agpjt413]

Thanks luvmyponies - oh that's not bad...many ladies pay way more to get their hair done LOL! I was under the impression it was an insane amount if insurance didn't cover it. Thanks for sharing your experiences as well! aswedishbee, boobacat, lickwed

[wannabmama]

Ladies all this info is so helpful. I'm generally pretty healthy eating and living but nothing to extremes. MH cut out sugar almost entirely about a year ago, I'm not as good as he is with it but it's made a huge difference for him. I do as much simple, clean eating with tons of veggies and hope that's good enough most of the time. I'm skeptical about some herbs and such, things like that, I need proof.

I'm always willing to try something new though, so might try acupuncture next, even the relaxation part sounds so nice!

[b0710]

I think you have to find your limit of what you're comfortable with. I would struggle with the no tampon thing too.

On a side note...I recently read a story about a girl that has only created one jar of trash in the past couple years. I had lots of unanswered questions...one of the biggest being how do you get through a period with no trash. REUSABLE PADS...I get it now! So gross to me ?

[lucylulu]

Acupunture does much more than just offer a relaxation period - it's very nourishing to the ovaries and uterus. I didn't want to go ALL the time (my gal wanted me to go weekly) so we agreed to early in the follicular phase to help increase a strong O and "maybe" around time of implantation. I also agreed to do weekly on cycles we did meds but we didn't end up needing that.

I personally think there's a major diff btwn synthetic vitamins vs good based. The cost isn't that much different and there are great OTC options.

I'm a nutrition freak so started with a holistic nutritionist last summer (for many things not just fertility). I do think the food we eat has a major impact on our health (positive or negative). If the consultation is free you might as well go and see what they say. It's your choice to implement suggestions or not. If you can't live w/o honey nut Cheerios then by all means have them! Maybe just balance by having some protein in addition or at other meals by having less processed/lower sugar options.

All in all you have to be comfy with whatever you agree to do in a daily basis. GL!

[rnmommy]

I couldn't do the no tampon thing, either but I have a lot of friends who use the Diva cup. It's a silicone cup you put in your vagina and it collects everything. You dump the contents in the toilet, rinse it and put it back in. Kind of like a reusable tampon. It's definitely not my thing, but lots of ladies like it.

[luvmyponies]

I think the thing that bothered me the most was how judgmental she came across... she looked at my paperwork said "You take folic acid? Why do you do that???" As if I just told her that I take a poison pill every morning. And I'm sure 99% of the people who walk in there are taking a doctor recommended folic acid supplement from CVS. I'm definitely not feeling her people skills, but she's supposedly one of the best and works with my RE's patients all the time. I don't know, maybe I'm just being too sensitive!!