Chinese Herbs during Stim Cycle?

[nevergivenup]

Hi,

I am due to start any day on my 5th stim cycle and are more confused than ever about my next strategy. I have done x2 stim cycles with acupuncture and x2 stim cycles with chinese herbs and acupuncture. In both approaches I have had a BFP (both miscarried early). However, in my very 1st attempt on just accupuncture I had a perfect Embryo which was graded as Double AA and was told it was a text book embryo.

I just don't know whether to keep it simple for my next cycle and loose the chinese herbs. I have to admit I can't stand the smell or taste of the herbs so would be quite happy to say good bye to them.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated :)

[LivingINhope]

Hi nevergiveup,

The problem with using chinese herbs, bush flowers and the like is some of these things can help you concieve but are not good when baby is in utero. I was seeing a naturopath when I fell pregnant with my first, I didn;t know I was pregnant and had some bleeding and she pulled me straight off the herbs and I was fine.

If I were you I would keep it simple, have ytou ver tried Reiki? it works on the chi the same as acupunture but is not obtrusive in anyway. I myslef am a practitioner and if you tell me when you are having your embie put back the place, day and time I can send some reiki to you.

Are you taking the pregnancy formula vitamins? with extra folate?

Anyway I am no expert but these things have helped for me in the past and hopefully will this time as well :)

[Sonja]

Hi

I take chinese herbs and do acupuncture. Personally I love the acupuncture as I find it really relaxing. The herbs I can take or leave. I have my transfer tomorrow (hopefully) and there are new herbs I can go onto but I'm not really sure I want to take them to be honest as I'm not sure they won't harm me or the embryos.

My advice is if you enjoy the acupuncture and find it something you can fit easily into your life then do it - if it's just another stress in an already stressful program then maybe drop it.

At the end of the day it's got to work for you.

Sonja

[nevergivenup]

Sonya - good luck for your transfer tomorrow, :fingerscrossed: for a BFP :). Thanks for your advice, I think I might leave the herbs this time round DH is always on my case about them. I don't think he has a lot of faith in them, he just complains about the smell it leaves in the house as I have to boil them.

Livinginhope - I am hearing so much about this Reiki but really have no idea what it is.... is it some kind of spiritual treatment? Seems that a lot of women in this forum are undergoing it. I am taking fish oil and Elevit.

[LivingINhope]

nevergivenup,

Reiki is what people call hands on healing, spiritual yes but its non-denominational. It is basically the universal energy flowing through the healer into the healee to balance the chi/chakras/life essence in the body. It feels warm when you recieve it direct.

It is a shame you are not in newcastle, I could infact show you. But am happy as I said to send you reiki if you give me dates, places and your name (helps to focus energy).

I am sure you would have someone close by that does it also and it is safe throughout pregnancy as well.

When I was pregnant with my son I took time everyday to reiki my belly and got some unusual responses. At first I thought my cat was asleep next to me because I would get like a resonance like when a cat sits on your lap and purrs; in my belly it was very calming.

[LivingINhope]

Oooh forgot to say a girlfriend of mine was told that elevit does not have iodine in it and given that our soil in australia is iodine deficient you should probably try to get seaweed tablets as well (not sure if they are ok in pregnancy). I ended up going back to blackmores because of it, I already have thyroid issues and don;t want to pass them on.

The only other thing my IVF nurse told me was 1/3 of woman have trouble absorbing folate so to take an extra tablet before conception to boost your levels.

[jesslee83]

Nevergivenup - I didn't use anything - except a multivitamin and folate for my first stim cycle and got a BFP - only to have a blighted ovum. I'm about to start my 2nd stim cycle and am on herbs and acupunture. For me, personally it is a mind game - I feel like I am doing all I can.... but I also believe in what is meant to be will be... in other words - If I am destined for a BFP I will get it - yet I'm still doing all these things!!!!!! Good luck either way!

[nevergivenup]

Thanks so much for all your advice :flowerz: You guys are a fantastic support. I think we can all pull through this together and hold our babies at the end of it :goodvibes:.

I think I am over thinking everything, just want to give myself every chance for a successful pregnancy this time. One minute I am so excited about starting another cycle and then the next I am feeling anxious and fearful. I am already dreading the 2ww!

Best wishes to you all with your upcoming pregnancies :babydust2::baby: