Nothing makes me happier than following up with a patient who became pregnant under my care. For example, yesterday Isaw a patient who I haven’t seen since her first trimester. Now she is in her 36th week. She wrote of her experience during her first trimester:
I am research scientist, and I have always been a little skeptical about acupuncture and other non-western medical practices. After my experience with Dr. Rozenn, however, I enthusiastically recommend her for the treatment of fertility issues. My husband and I were trying to conceive for the second time and after a year, we saw an M.D. specialist in infertility. He explained that Western medicine had no easy answer for my particular issue (my cycles were short and he suspected I was ovulating before my eggs were mature), and recommended that I try meditation or yoga as a first strategy. He also mentioned that there was a program available that combined standard infertility treatment with acupuncture. After talking to a friend of mine (who recommended Dr. Rozenn), I decided to try acupuncture alone for three months and then reassess my options. Dr. Rozenn was willing to work with me either with or without parallel treatment from my M.D. and was positive but realistic about my chances of conceiving. I appreciated that she did not discount the role of Western medicine in infertility treatment, but I opted for a non-parallel approach. I decided to follow all of her recommendations to the letter so that I would have no doubts at the end of three months that I had given the process my all. I changed my diet, took herbal and other supplements, saw Dr. Rozenn on a weekly basis and opted for abdominal massages from Brianna Brownfield (Dr. Rozenn’s assistant, whom I also enthusiastically recommend). I noticed changes in my cycle within one month of starting my treatments, and within two cycles my standard headache (a hallmark for 12 years), did not accompany my period. During my third cycle since start of treatment, I ovulated on day 14 for the first time in 7 years, and I am now thrilled to say that I am 11 weeks pregnant. I am entirely convinced that it was the treatment program that I pursued with Dr. Rozenn that enabled my husband and I to conceive this baby. If you are in a similar situation, I encourage you to consider Dr. Rozenn and acupuncture as a treatment option. I am so grateful that I was able to conceive without risking multiple births or spending enormous sums on IVF. This experience has convinced me to consider acupuncture among the practices I typically pursue to maintain my general health. Thank you, Dr. Rozenn and Brianna!
Now, in her 36th week, she is beginning a cycle of 4 “Pre-Birth” acupuncture treatments. This is a specific protocol routinely practiced in Germany. The practice was incorporated by midwives in Germany because of research showing that these four treatments can:
- Promote an easier delivery
- Reduce the duration of labor
- Reduce the pain of labor
When my fertility patients get pregnant, it is so exciting! But that is only part of the journey. Depending on their circumstances they may come in during their first trimester for morning sickness or to help hold the pregnancy. Later on, they may receive treatment for back or stomach pain. Then, at the end of the third trimester they begin the Pre-Birth acupuncture series. Occasionally patients will seek to promote the onset of labor or strengthen/regulate contractions.
I have had several patients bring their children in for treatment for colds, colic, pre/post immunization care, etc. It is such a joy to be a family doctor.