36 - Severe Endometriosis, Pregnant Natural Between IVF Cycles

 Overview:
She came to Acubalance after 1 year of trying to conceive.  She presented with severe endometriosis that controlled her life and left her in agony each month, accompanied by nausea and diarrhea. She also suffered from digestive complaints. Exercise was already a major part of her life. She also presented with some eczema, a slightly short cycle, pre-menstrual spotting, and many PMS symptoms. She reported taking birth control pill for over 14 years. Her goals were to have a baby and treat the endometriosis.  
 Treatment:
Acupuncture (1/wk), herbals, a dietary cleanse, & supplements started in Oct 06. To manage the pain we included an extra acupuncture treatment in her pre-menstrual phase.  She did this for 5 months, then took a break.  She then decided on IVF so we treated her with acupuncture only, 2x/wk for 6 weeks before her transfer (while she was on long term lupron suppression for the endometriosis). She produced 14 eggs but only 4 fertilized, and the cycle failed. Desperate, and afraid of ending up in the hospital again due to the pain of her periods, she decided to jump right back into another IVF, only allowing one menstrual cycle to occur between. She kept coming for acupucnture 1-2x/wk during her 1st trimester of pregnancy.
 Outcome:
Between her scheduled IVF cycles, she fell pregnant naturally and carried to term to give birth to a healthy baby boy.

Spence Pentland