I recently had the opportunity to interview a former patient about her journey to pregnancy after she had a miscarriage at 14 weeks. Her fertility story brings tears to my eyes. She now has two beautiful, healthy children.
The desire to have children is so strong. When did you know that you wanted to have a child?
I always knew. When I was a child myself I loved to care for younger kids and I just always imagined myself with a family.
Why did you start seeing an acupuncturist and how do you think it helped you?
In January 2005 I became pregnant and my husband and I were thrilled. We read all the books and did all the things we were supposed to do. When I went in for an ultrasound to check a possible complication with my cervix the radiologist coldly told me something was wrong and gave me the number of a genetic counselor to call. At 12 weeks we learned our baby was not going to make it. At 14 weeks we lost her. I had a D & C (dilation and curettage) procedure. We waited the recommended amount of time to start trying again. We knew we wanted to have a baby. Every month I got my period I became more discouraged and disappointed. Our baby’s due date came and passed and still I was not pregnant. Making it through that due date was so hard. I was tracking my ovulation with ovulation sticks and with my morning temperature. I was charting everything. I had started seeing an MD because it seemed I was ovulating around the last day of my period at times and my cycle was completely unpredictable. One month I had a 40 day cycle, the next month a 27 day cycle.
I had read so much about acupuncture and I started to talk about it with my husband. He searched the internet for someone in Oregon who had experience with families trying to conceive. Thank our lucky stars he found Liz. Liz immediately created a routine that worked along with my medical treatments (progesterone) to regulate my cycle again and she also helped me change my diet and, best of all, relax! I loved the appointments. I felt so confident in Liz’s knowledge and skill that I could just go and rest and calm my body and mind. I started weekly treatments in early December and we were thrilled to learn I was pregnant again in February!
In my final trimester of that healthy pregnancy our baby was transverse breech and happy to be that way. I didn’t want to have the physical manipulation to move her and I hoped to avoid a C-section. Liz helped us again with moxa treatments. I actually saw baby turn that first night! She stayed head down and I had a normal delivery.
What obstacles have you faced in your journey to be a mom? Who supported you?
The obstacles we faced were both mental and physical for me. My husband and I became even closer when we endured the loss of our first pregnancy together. We had an unusual situation where doctors told us there was a less than 1% chance our baby would survive after that fateful ultrasound. We decided right away to make the time we had with that baby special. We were sad but also loving and I genuinely felt happy to have carried our little bundle for as long as I did. I felt like everyone I talked with about our baby was kind and supportive. I was so lucky to have coworkers who understood my sadness during the hard times and knew how to just be there for me and cover for me when I needed it. When we were pregnant again everyone was thrilled and my husband, mom, and mother in law went above and beyond to help me be comfortable and healthy.
What advice do you have for any couples out there who are trying to conceive?
Be a team. You need your partner more than ever when times get challenging. Believe that your little baby can sense your stress and try to relax! It is hard to achieve but I found a path that worked for me through acupuncture and self-hypnosis/ deep relaxation techniques. I think the focus on a healthy mind and body contributed to the happy and calm spirits both of my kids have now! Best wishes!