I am trained in both Chinese and Western medicine. I am supportive of whatever treatments a woman may choose for her fertility problems.  For women who choose to use TCM exclusively, I am happy to be their primary source of infertility treatment. Others want to go with Western medicine, and in those circumstance, I step back and become a support for their Western treatment. But I encourage every woman to take charge of her own fertility treatments. Far too many of us view our doctors as someone who must know exactly what we need to do in order to get pregnant, when in truth, doctors and therapists (including me) are merely human beings.

When you opt for “ART”, you need to be willing to learn as much as you can  about every aspect of your treatment. Get clear on the drugs you’re prescribed, their effects and possible side effects. Make sure you understand every procedure, what the doctors believe will happen, and the conditions necessary for the best possible result. Research medical articles on the internet. Converse with other patients. Your body and its hormones and cycles are unlike anyone else’s and no one is going to care about your fertility as much as you will. You have to stand up for what you want the most: a healthy child conceived and carried to term in a healthy body.

If you choose complementary treatments, great!!! Because most alternative medical treatments (like TCM) focus on restoring  health and balance to the body, they can help western medical treatments  work better. But your western medical doctor needs to know what you are doing. Tell your Doctor if you are taking herbs, vitamins, or any kind of supplements or if you are doing meditation, yoga, or acupuncture – anything that might affect your fertility.

I personally think it is foolhardy for people to use one kind of medicine or another. The best way for you to get pregnant, may be Western medicine, Chinese  medicine, or combination of the two.

Be willing to keep an open mind. Do your research. Find something that makes sense to you, try it, and see how your body responds. If you are getting good results, keep on that path; if not, explore other options.

Ultimately, no matter what path  or paths we choose in our pursuit of fertility, we must be willing to take command of our medical care. We must not only rely on the word of any one medical tradition or practitioner. Above all, we must learn to listen to our own body, mind, soul and heart.