Prenatal
|
"After one year of trying (after a miscarriage), my doctor suggested I start seeing Rachel to see if I could get pregnant with acupuncture, otherwise my doctor would have to put me on fertility drugs, which was not the route we wanted to go.
I saw Rachel for approximately 4 months and in that time I modified my diet according to Chinese medical principles, received acupuncture treatments, and took Chinese herbs that were prescribed to me by Rachel. We then found out we were pregnant! I continued to see her up to my 12th week for acupuncture. On April 17, 2009, I gave birth to a healthy little girl. We are truly grateful to Rachel for giving us this chance to have another baby. Being of advanced maternal age (41 at the time of pregnancy, 42 at the time of delivery), I had almost given up hope that we would ever have another child. Thank you, Rachel!" – GK |
I do not ovulate regularly due to PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) or some other reason. Can you help this? Yes, most of the time. About 90% of the patients who come in with irregular ovulation or anovulation are able to ovulate after several months of acupuncture and herbs. The length of time it takes depends upon the severity of the condition, and the speed at which your body responds to treatment.
As I receive treatments, how do you and I know that acupuncture is working for me? As you come in for treatments, I ask for updates on your fertility signs and symptoms. I am looking for improvements in your menstrual flow, decrease in cramps and pelvic pain, improvement in fertile mucus, etc. Some patients tell me they have never been so interested in their menstrual flow before, and are excited to see the changes occurring. If you are not taking hormones, I recommend that you record your basal body temperature (BBT) every morning. The BBT chart is an excellent method for understanding female hormone fluctuation patterns and can be used to see your progress by observing changes in the BBT pattern from month to month.
The focus of our acupuncture approach is to help improve overall health. Therefore, as patients receive a series of acupuncture treatments, many of them experience easier menses and enhanced feelings of well-being such as more restful sleep, better digestion, decreased anxiety, and increased energy. These physical and emotional shifts can only positively influence the chance of conceiving regardless of whether one is trying naturally or undergoing medical reproductive treatment. The ultimate goal is to make your body the healthiest future home possible for your baby.
As I receive treatments, how do you and I know that acupuncture is working for me? As you come in for treatments, I ask for updates on your fertility signs and symptoms. I am looking for improvements in your menstrual flow, decrease in cramps and pelvic pain, improvement in fertile mucus, etc. Some patients tell me they have never been so interested in their menstrual flow before, and are excited to see the changes occurring. If you are not taking hormones, I recommend that you record your basal body temperature (BBT) every morning. The BBT chart is an excellent method for understanding female hormone fluctuation patterns and can be used to see your progress by observing changes in the BBT pattern from month to month.
The focus of our acupuncture approach is to help improve overall health. Therefore, as patients receive a series of acupuncture treatments, many of them experience easier menses and enhanced feelings of well-being such as more restful sleep, better digestion, decreased anxiety, and increased energy. These physical and emotional shifts can only positively influence the chance of conceiving regardless of whether one is trying naturally or undergoing medical reproductive treatment. The ultimate goal is to make your body the healthiest future home possible for your baby.
What about fertility acupuncture for men? I treat men for sperm production, motility and morphology issues. It’s important to know that during acupuncture treatment, men leave their clothes on and the needles don’t go anywhere embarrassing. I can also suggest Chinese herbal supplements for men.
Is there anyone you can't help get pregnant? Yes. If a woman has a tubal blockage, a uterine septum, severe endometriosis or large fibroids, acupuncture and herbs cannot help unless these conditions are first corrected by a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE). Often, women come to my office after receiving treatment for these conditions from their RE. If a patient is not pregnant after 4-6 months of treatment, and has not had a workup by an RE, I always refer out to an RE for evaluation. These women often come back with answers and successful resolution to their problem.
Is there anyone you can't help get pregnant? Yes. If a woman has a tubal blockage, a uterine septum, severe endometriosis or large fibroids, acupuncture and herbs cannot help unless these conditions are first corrected by a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE). Often, women come to my office after receiving treatment for these conditions from their RE. If a patient is not pregnant after 4-6 months of treatment, and has not had a workup by an RE, I always refer out to an RE for evaluation. These women often come back with answers and successful resolution to their problem.
What is your success rate? I have treated fertility as a primary specialty since 2002, having been in practice since 1999. Since that time, my success rate falls somewhere between 75-85%.
How do I make an appointment? Please call our office at (970) 223-4422. Or schedule online.
What can I expect at my first treatment? Through training and many years of clinical experience, I have developed a tailored approach to each individual patient. I will ask many specific questions about your menstrual and fertility history. These questions help me understand how to best support you and facilitate your healing. I will also review any paperwork, such as lab tests, reports from your M.D. and basal body temperature charts.
I will take your pulse and look at your tongue, which, according to Chinese medicine, give lots of information about your health status. During fertility acupuncture treatment, between 10 and 20 tiny needles are inserted at specific points on the body, primarily the arms and legs, and also above the uterus and ovaries. Then you have the opportunity to rest with the needles in for 30-40 minutes. Acupuncture is very relaxing; patients often fall asleep during treatment.
Will you work with my Western medical doctor? Having worked with hundreds of patients going through IUI, IVF and other ART treatments, I am very familiar with Western medical protocols, and regularly collaborate with local reproductive endocrinologists and OB/GYNs in Colorado.
What do I do in the meantime, until my appointment? I highly recommend you read The Infertility Cure by Randine Lewis, PhD. It explains in-depth how TCM can improve your fertility, and will help to de-mystify the process you are about to undertake.
* Avoid alcohol and nicotine, both of which can lower your fertility.
* Stop drinking coffee and caffeine, except for tea. Caffeine constricts the blood vessels which lead to your uterus. Green tea actually helps open the vessels, and it is an antioxidant. Black tea is ok, but not as good for you as green tea.
* Eat only hormone-free meats to avoid synthetic estrogen.
* Make sure your diet is filled with fresh, organic fruits and vegetables.
How often do I need to come in for treatment if I am trying to conceive naturally? Three to four times a month is typical, but fertility acupuncture treatment can be modified depending on your diagnosis, your age, and the urgency with which you want to get pregnant. Patients who undergo treatment at this rate tend to receive the best results for getting pregnant quickly.
How do I make an appointment? Please call our office at (970) 223-4422. Or schedule online.
What can I expect at my first treatment? Through training and many years of clinical experience, I have developed a tailored approach to each individual patient. I will ask many specific questions about your menstrual and fertility history. These questions help me understand how to best support you and facilitate your healing. I will also review any paperwork, such as lab tests, reports from your M.D. and basal body temperature charts.
I will take your pulse and look at your tongue, which, according to Chinese medicine, give lots of information about your health status. During fertility acupuncture treatment, between 10 and 20 tiny needles are inserted at specific points on the body, primarily the arms and legs, and also above the uterus and ovaries. Then you have the opportunity to rest with the needles in for 30-40 minutes. Acupuncture is very relaxing; patients often fall asleep during treatment.
Will you work with my Western medical doctor? Having worked with hundreds of patients going through IUI, IVF and other ART treatments, I am very familiar with Western medical protocols, and regularly collaborate with local reproductive endocrinologists and OB/GYNs in Colorado.
What do I do in the meantime, until my appointment? I highly recommend you read The Infertility Cure by Randine Lewis, PhD. It explains in-depth how TCM can improve your fertility, and will help to de-mystify the process you are about to undertake.
* Avoid alcohol and nicotine, both of which can lower your fertility.
* Stop drinking coffee and caffeine, except for tea. Caffeine constricts the blood vessels which lead to your uterus. Green tea actually helps open the vessels, and it is an antioxidant. Black tea is ok, but not as good for you as green tea.
* Eat only hormone-free meats to avoid synthetic estrogen.
* Make sure your diet is filled with fresh, organic fruits and vegetables.
How often do I need to come in for treatment if I am trying to conceive naturally? Three to four times a month is typical, but fertility acupuncture treatment can be modified depending on your diagnosis, your age, and the urgency with which you want to get pregnant. Patients who undergo treatment at this rate tend to receive the best results for getting pregnant quickly.