Acupuncture: An Alternative in Treating Infertility

http://www.smartparenting.com.ph

I am back to my weekly acupuncture with Sr. Regina Liu since May 30, 2011.  Last week when I was waiting for my turn, I saw a few copies of Smart Parenting May 2011 issue on top of the table of the receptionist.  This is the one with Sharon and her two daughters, Frankie and Miel as cover.  Then, there was a post-it in the magazine with a note from Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng for Sister Regina Liu.  This was how I came across the story of Lisa Gokonwei-Cheng’s long journey towards motherhood.

Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng’s Long Journey Towards Motherhood

Here in the article, Lisa still childless five years into her marriage shares how a never-say-die attitude helped her find a treatment that worked for her, and eventually led to two happy and healthy boys.  

Her struggle with infertility took her five years, countless doctor appointments, even more countless tests, four in vitro fertilizations (IVF), one artificial insemination, four failed pregnancies, a lot of doctors, all sorts of anti-immune therapies, and over a year of acupuncture and herbal treatments.  And to top it all, she was not getting any younger.  She started this infertility journey when she was 35 years old and we know that our fertility is halved every year after we turn 35.

Being in this infertility journey myself, this article has inspired me to keep holding on to my dream of conceiving and having a child of my own.   If she can do it, why can’t I?

Her determination, optimism and fighting spirit were really commendable.  She did not lose hope.  She tried practically everything and in the end, she found the right treatment for her:  Traditional Chinese Medicine through the help of Sister Regina Liu.

Traditional Chinese Medicine:  Acupuncture with Sister Regina Liu

Sister Regina Liu is a nun of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God (a mission headquartered in New Jersey).  She is also a sixth-generation acupuncturist and herbalist from China.  Click here to read more on acupuncture and Sister Regina Liu.

Acupuncture is a cheaper and less invasive approach in treating infertility.  An acupuncture session with Sister Regina Liu can cost around P700 per visit.  The herbal teas and capsules cost about P2000 per week.   It is not cheap but compared to IVF, this is definitely cheaper and is a more natural approach.

Three Causes of Infertility Based on Chinese Medicine

The goal of Chinese medicine, whatever the ailment, is to achieve balance in the body.  In Chinese medicine, there are three causes for infertility.

1. The first is a kidney yin deficiency.  Yin is defined as essence or the material needed by sperm and eggs.  A kidney yin deficiency can be caused by stress or even by ingesting too much coffee, a diuretic. 

2. The second is the spleen yang deficiency.  Spleen yang is needed for digestion and absorption of the nutrients necessary for the development of follicles and sperm.  This can be caused by an excessive intake of raw, cold food or liquid.  

3. The third is blood stasis which is caused by emotional stress.  Poor circulation of blood leads to thin lining in the uterus, making it difficult for an embryo to implant.

Children are from God

When people ask Lisa how she finally got pregnant, she jokingly answers, “I got pregnant with a nun’s prick.”  But Sister Liu tells her, “Your children are not from me, they are from God.”

I really like what Sister Liu said.  Despite all her achievements, she remains humble.  She still gives God all the praise, glory and honor for the opportunity to help countless couples conceive through the ancient healing medicine of acupuncture.

Let us keep on praying to God to grant us our ardent desires to conceive and have a child of our own.  Let us storm the heaven with our prayers that all those couples who are trying to conceive will be blessed with a baby soon.  Baby dust to all of us!

P.S. This is the first time that I really read a Smart Parenting magazine from cover to cover and I love it.  The magazine is very informative.  You’ll learn a lot from it, especially if you have kids from ages 0-6 years old.