Needles. What’s a few more?

I’m considering Acupuncture.  I guess, I should say, WE are considering acupuncture.

 

During my cycles of IUI I unintentionally cut my husband out of most of the process.  I even had the nerve to be irritated when he didn't seem to have enough opinions about decisions that needed to be made.  I don’t know why it took me so long to realize that it’s awfully difficult for someone to have an opinion about something they have no information on.  I basically treated him like a walking breathing sperm bank.  Seriously, the only appointments I asked him to go to were the ones where I needed his “contributions”.  If I’m remembering correctly he even missed one of the inseminations.  I tried to CONCIEVE A BABY without him even IN THE ROOM.  I’m an idiot.  To be fair he was never prohibited from going with me.  I just didn’t tell him I wanted him there.  I told him he could come if he wanted.  Way to minimize a person Larri.  Again, I’m an idiot.  I was focusing so much on what I was going through and what I needed I completely lost that the fact that he was going through this too.

I have seen the error of my ways.  I’m striving to be better.  I’m consulting him as often as I can.  He has gone to all of my appointments this cycle.  He has been there for all my questions and the answers and has had opportunities to ask any questions of his own.  This new approach has shed light on a fact that blew my mind.  Men really know almost nothing about the female body.  I mean, other than that they really dig it.

I was pretty oblivious to the fact that most men’s education about a women's lady business takes place in a sixth grade health class.  Usually there is a biology class or two sprinkled in there between high school and college but the reproductive system is covered in a chapter, maybe two.  Heaven forbid your man missed that day or perhaps fell asleep.  I think it's safe to just assume he knows almost nothing.  

I have a bit of advice for you ladies.  If you ever find yourself in a situation like ours, where your entire lives revolve around your reproductive system, educate your man.  I promise it makes the entire process easier.  I’m not suggesting busting out diagrams and worksheets after dinner by any means, but just being aware of his ignorance can help you better prep your guy with information BEFORE you try and make decisions about your treatment plan.

I promise this post is about acupuncture.   I got a little off topic.  I do that.  We are considering acupuncture.  I promise my SIL I would at LEAST look into it.  Remember she’s a bit of a hippie.  Alternative medicine is right up her ally.  I looked into it and found a lot of conflicting information

Disclaimer:  My research methods rely heavily on google searches.

I read that studies prove it can increase blood flow to the uterus.  “Hm” I thought, “blood to the uterus, that’s probably good, right?”  Here’s the thing though, I couldn't find anything that suggested that increased blood flow did anything for fertility other than thicken the uterine lining.  So does an increase in blood flow improve egg quality?  I couldn't find anything that suggested it did.  So since my lining is all good do I even need to mess with all these extra needles?  Some studies suggest that acupuncture does decrease stress levels.  “Less stress is good, right?  That has to increase your odds of success.”  Oddly enough, most articles I read said that studies found stress does NOT negatively impact odds of successful IVF.  Counter intuitive, I know. 

I decided to look into Acupuncturists in our area and see what they had to say.  I was expecting old Chinese guys.  This IS supposed to be ancient Chinese medicine right?  For a minute there I must have forgotten we live in the Midwest.  The two Acupuncturists I found that had any information available online about fertility were middle-aged white women.  They both had masters degrees is Chinese Medicine.  Sounds legit.  But seriously?  What on earth is that?  Where does one get such a masters degree?  I assure you a masters in Chinese Medicine was not offered at the large university I went to.  I did some research and without diving in too far, it does appear that a Masters in Chinese Medicine is a four year graduate degree.  So that offered some assurance.  But still, could these women possibly be at the level they would need to be at for this to be worth the expense?

After all that I still wasn't sure what side of the fence I was on.  I mean, it could help and probably wouldn't hurt.  But, was it throwing money out the window?  I decided to run it by Captain, and because of my new enlightened approach, J was there for the question and the answer.  Her answer actually surprised me.  She said that they do send patients for acupuncture if they are having trouble with their lining but that she didn't think it was necessary for me.  I asked if she thought it was useful for other parts of the process.  “Listen” she said.  “I've seen surgery performed using only acupuncture as anesthesia.  It works.  But those were highly trained specialist.  They dedicate their life to it.  It’s not something you can learn in a weekend.  So I tell patience, if they want to do it, feel free.  It won’t hurt, could help.  Do I think it will dramatically improve your chances?  No.”

J and I talked it over.  He thinks it would be a waste of money.  I think it probably would be too.  But what if it isn't?  Up until about 15 minutes ago I didn't have a strong opinion either way and was happy to let J have this one, no acupuncture.  I don’t know if some hormones kicked in or what, but now I’m second guessing our decision (I also cried when I was looking at old pictures of MB today, so….yeah.  There are definitely some hormones going on).  I just can’t help but think, “What’s a couple hundred bucks more at this point?”  I want to respect J’s opinion on this.  It is, after all, as much about him as it is about me.  But I also want to do EVERYTHING possible to increase our odds.  This whole “we” business is a lot easier when we agree…