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. 

Acupuncture For Infertility: Could This Be For You?

Acupuncture for Infertility: Myself with Needles on the Head

From the time I posted my infertility story, many of my friends have sent me messages and most of them are asking me to try acupuncture with Sr. Regina Liu of St. Francis Health Care clinic located at No. 19 Panay Avenue, Quezon City.  Many have tried and were successful in getting pregnant in just 2-3 months of acupuncture.

I have personally tried acupuncture with Sr. Regina Liu, way back in 2009.  My OB recommended me to try acupuncture, which I did.  I have been under her care for 7 months, but was not successful in getting pregnant.  This was before I had my immunological work up (LIT).   

Acupuncture for Infertility: Needles with Moxa

According to Sr. Regina Liu, everything is okay already.  Even she did not know why I don’t get pregnant.  Anyways, after treating me, she requested that husband be treated as well.  My husband tried it for a few times only, but was not patient enough to get treated.  This could probably be the reason. (Oops… )

It could be better if both you and your husband will try acupuncture alongside the infertility treatments with your medical doctors.  This could maximize the effect and help you get pregnant faster.  

Most of the doctors also recommend acupuncture as a complementary therapy.  Research has shown that acupuncture helps to reduce stress hormones that interfere with ovulation, normalize hormones that regulate ovulation so an egg is released, increase blood flow to the uterus, improving the chances of a fertilized egg implanting, improve ovulation cycles in women with PCOS, which makes getting pregnant difficult and improve pregnancy rates in women undergoing IVF.  Acupuncture may also help male infertility by improving the quality of sperm.

With that being said, I made an appointment with Sr. Regina Liu again for May 30, 2011.  She is currently out of the country right now and will be back on May 26, 2011.  And as always, her schedule is full already.  So, if you are interested to consult with her, make an appointment earlier… at least 2 weeks before.  You can call her clinic at 373-5503.  Each session costs Php700 (will verify again when I get there).

To know more about acupuncture with Sr. Regina Liu, here is a link shared to me by Jenny  (Thanks Jenny!).  

Sr. Regina Liu: Helping Couples Have Babies Through the Natural Medicine of Acupuncture by Justine Camacho-Tajonera

Read on to find out more about this nun and acupuncturist who has helped a lot of couples conceive... 

This could be the answer to your infertility problems... Happy Infertility!