Yinstill Reproductive Wellness

When my partner and I decided to start on our journey of conception, we were excited about the prospect of having a child as well as the intimate, joyful process that goes along with making that happen. We trusted that nature would take its course and that we would be pregnant before we knew it.

However, with each passing month, and its accompanying menstrual cycle, I found myself growing more discouraged by the lack of positive test results. I began to question my body and feared that it wouldn’t be as easy as we had initially thought. Eight months into the process, those fears were put to rest when that faint pink line appeared positive on the pregnancy test. We spent the next few weeks sharing our exciting news with close family and friends and discussing possible baby names. Unfortunately, seven weeks later, I suffered a miscarriage.

Choosing to carry on our journey, my partner and I quickly began trying to conceive again. I felt reassured in the knowledge that we were actually able to conceive and I figured that if it happened once, it could happen again. However, more months rolled by and nothing. At that point, I began to start questioning my body and felt uncertain about my dream of becoming a mother.

After more than a year from the time our journey first began, I ran into a friend at a cafe. Upon hearing about our unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant, she recommended that I go for a consultation with Dr. Pentland. I took her advice seriously and booked my first consultation with him that week. Within moments of my first appointment, Dr. Pentland addressed my fears and reassured me that it was possible for me to get pregnant and to carry a baby to full term. We began to work on an overall lifestyle plan that included exercise, relaxation techniques and weekly acupuncture treatments. Viewing my treatments as an overall wellness plan, with health and balance as the goal and not pregnancy, I began to feel more relaxed about my goal of conceiving and shifted my focus on my emotional, mental and physical well-being. I looked forward to my Friday acupuncture treatments because I knew how relaxed and balanced I would feel for the rest of the day. Almost immediately, I began to feel a renewed sense of energy and overall sense of well-being and after about nine weeks of treatment, my partner and I were thrilled to find out that we were pregnant, and I am now 25 weeks!!!

Spence becomes a true ally in your health goals and is without a doubt, someone I will continue to see throughout my pregnancy and beyond. I would recommend Dr. Spence Pentland to anyone who is either trying to conceive, or looking for an overall tune-up!

TM

In 2005 after a failed IVF treatment and emotionally drained from struggling with infertility, I decided to try acupuncture along with my fertility treatments. I did not know anything about acupuncture but simply wanted to make sure I was covering all the bases. The thing I feared most was failure and I needed to know I had done all I could possibly do. What I did not expect was the profound impact acupuncture would have on me.

Meeting Spence for the first time I immediately felt the caring and compassion he had. In getting to know him I saw he also possessed an internal peace and stillness. I realized that this was something I had lost somewhere along the way, in part due to the emotional struggle of infertility but also due to life and a high stress job. It is not an overstatement to say that the treatment I received from Spence was life changing. I was not an anxious person externally, but internally I was starting to feel frantic – exactly what you do not want when you are trying to conceive. Spence’s treatments enabled me to internally quiet and calm myself in a way I had not felt in years, if ever. I was able to reach a point where I would be at peace even if I was unsuccessful in my attempt to become pregnant; I was able to face failure and not be terrified. I had thought acupuncture might bring me some level of relaxation and perhaps help with my fertility in some way. I had no idea it would impact me so substantially, beyond my infertility struggle and in a lasting way.

I now have two beautiful sons and saw Spence for both of their pre-conception and pregnancy treatments. I still feel the benefit of the treatments I received and remain very grateful to have met Spence. I cannot recommend Spence highly enough. He is kind, compassionate, non-judgmental and a skilled listener and healer.

Megan

I was diagnosed with endometriosis after experiencing both bleeding and pain during intercourse. An ultrasound examination showed that I had a 10cm endometrioma on my right ovary and laparoscopic surgery was scheduled to follow. During surgery it was discovered that I had severe endometriosis affecting my ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix and bowel.

The surgery was successful in removing the endometrial lesions but I was warned that it would most probably return within a year. It was also suggested that I might consider having my right ovary removed, something I would not even contemplate at this stage in my life. Around 10 months later, I noticed that when I would sit down on a chair I felt pain on my left side. On occasion, intercourse had become painful again and even simple stretching would result in pain.

I knew that I wasn’t prepared to have surgery again, especially if it meant removal of my reproductive organs so I started researching alternate ways to deal with endometriosis. I read about acupuncture and its use in the treatment of endometriosis, came across Acubalance’s website online and booked an appointment. I had expected a course of acupuncture but what I actually found was a holistic approach to improving my reproductive health: a 3-week cleanse followed by a course of Chinese herbs, dietary and exercise advice, acupuncture and most importantly, somebody who asked detailed questions about my menstrual cycle, sexual health and pain levels.

It was at this point that I realised that my menstrual experiences: extreme breast tenderness for 2 weeks leading up to a period, pain before and during my period, diarrhoea and heavy flow with blood clots were not normal, were linked to endometriosis and could be improved by following the TCM advice. I started to notice an improvement within a month. I couldn’t believe it when I didn’t get any breast tenderness at all (something that I have lived with since my early teens) and within two months I was able to have an Advil free period for the first time, again since my teens. I have also noticed that my periods are less heavy and that the blood is now a healthy red colour rather than a rusty brown colour.

I am also pain-free with my endometriosis – the pain I noticed when sitting down on a chair has gone and I feel the healthiest that I ever have. A bonus side effect of following the Acubalance healthy eating plan is that I have lost the 20lbs I had gained over the last few years and my weight remains at this new healthy amount.

I believe that it is the combination of acupuncture, herbs, healthy eating and exercise that has provided the improvements in my menstrual cycle, endometriosis pain and my general health. I am so pleased that I found Spence, as he set me on the right track to improving my health in a holistic way without resorting to surgery and pain medication. I am now ready to live my life this way because I know that it will help in all areas of my general well being.

WG

I worked with Harris through the whole pregnancy cycle: conception through post-partum.

I first sought treatment with Harris after a couple years of trying to conceive. At my first appointment Harris began to share his wealth of knowledge about conception and I received my first acupuncture treatment. After just a few sessions, I learned I was pregnant. We were thrilled.

Near the end of my pregnancy I returned to Harris to prepare my body for childbirth. I worked with him to open up my pelvis, promote optimal positioning of the baby, and provide gentle stimulation to aid the birthing process as I progressed. He also taught my husband and I acupressure points to use at home, both before and during birth. I felt great and my body felt so ready to birth our child! Our baby was in the perfect position and very low down in my pelvis.

When my birthing time came we had a wonderful water birth at home, but I haemorrhaged after. I started to suffer from insomnia and what felt like heart palpitations and incredible pressure surges when I tried to sleep. I felt awful and was no longer able to enjoy the first days with my son. I sought help from Harris again and he was able to diagnosis the problem – my body was having trouble coping with the blood loss. Harris was able to help aid my blood regeneration. I saw the results right away was able to sleep again hours later. Harris saved the day and I was once again able to enjoy those precious first days with my son. I was so happy to feel good again!

We are incredibly grateful to Harris for his compassion and his expertise in the field of reproductive health. He is a true asset to the birthing community.

Katie

I heard about Spence on Global News and my husband and I had been trying to conceive for some time. When I first met Spence, I appreciated his honestly and frankness as well as his ability to adapt his approach to meet our specific needs and my personality traits. After our initial meeting with Spence, he drafted a comprehensive plan for treatment which included all aspects of my health and well-being including but not limited to, physical, psychological, emotional, dietary and cognitive. The plan was impressive and the implementation was seemless. After the plan was created I began attending weekly appointments. These appointments became the highlight of my week and I thoroughly enjoyed not only the treatments as they were relaxing and beneficial but also the personal growth which Spence and our conversations provided me.

Following five months of weekly treatments and herbs my husband and I were able conceive. Following conception I was particularly ill and fatigued and working in a very male dominated profession. I continued to see Spence weekly during this time and he provided me with treatments for my symptoms as well as and most importantly guidance for my professional responsibilities and how to approach the ‘pregnancy’ issue. I am very grateful to him and all the support he provided me (and my husband) during this time. Most importantly he was amazing at dealing with my extreme Type-A personality and for that I am (as is my husband :)) forever grateful.

It was an amazing experience and I am so grateful for the story on Global News and meeting Spence.

The acupuncture from Sean was great for stress relief during a very stressful time. I truly felt that it allowed me to experience total relaxation which I’m sure helped to bring about a positive result. The environment is calm and soothing and the staff are caring and professional. Would absolutely recommend.
AH