Yinstill Reproductive Wellness

Darryl and I just wanted to write to you and say “thank you” for helping us become pregnant with our little miracle. From the time I wrote you, Lorne, and spoke to you on the phone I felt that we were in good hands. During our first consult with the IVF clinic, we were told that due to my ovarian cysts and my husband’s male factor issues, our chances weren’t good. I needed to get those cysts removed before we would be allowed into the program. This was step one. Lorne, you helped prepare my body for surgery, and my recovery was remarkable. When the ultrasound tech looked at my ovaries post-op, she couldn’t believe how healthy they looked. The advice you and your staff provided to Darryl and I was invaluable. As was advice that you provided to an acupuncturist in Regina, as we lived so far away. This enabled me to get treatments even though I was not in Vancouver. I know the acupuncturist here really appreciated the advice.

During the IVF protocol, you reassured us that all was going well, and it was. A woman my age (especially with my surgery) wasn’t supposed to be able to have all those eggs!! I felt next to no side effects from all the IVF drugs and responded so well. Before ER I was given acupuncture and a wonderful massage by Raeghan. I felt nothing during the procedure.

When it was time for ET I was relaxed with the treatments, both before and after. Advice was again provided to reassure us that what I was feeling was normal, and not to worry. Obviously, it worked as we will be meeting our little one soon! Thanks again to all of you, Lorne, Raeghan, Spence, and Melissa!! We will be sending you a picture of her as soon as she is born. To anyone else considering IVF or just having fertility problems, please take the time to sit down and talk to Acubalance. They have so much to offer couples struggling with infertility. We believe that this is the difference between a positive pregnancy test and a negative one!

Sheri

I personally didn’t enjoy the pre treatment, but only because I was so anxious about the embryo transfer that I found that I couldn’t relax. However I was thankful for the treatment after the transfer. Because it was onsite, it was only a few feet a way, which meant more time to let the embryo “snuggle in”. It greatly helped to relieve all the tension that I felt leading upto the transfer. Dr. Pentland was of course (and still is) a good sounding board and offered some great advice for the day of the transfer

~Anonymous

Western medical science cannot solve my specific problem and I thought that Traditional Chinese Medicine was an esoteric last ditch effort in a fight against the unknown. Fortunately enough, I came into contact with Spence Pentland.

I found, and continue to find, Spence as a knowledgeable, considerate, and professional practitioner of TCM. His diagnosis and treatment were comprehensive and skilful. He was also sensitive to the feedback from my treatments and modified his process to account for my individual needs. I believe that I had an excellent experience in a field that I was quite ignorant about.

Although the treatment I received was unable to fix my infertility, I am glad to have gone through a process that has removed stress and discomfort in my life. Finally, Spence has taught me to become more aware of the interrelationship between my body and my environment. I think TCM, and more specifically, Spence Pentland, can add value to your life whatever your imbalance may be.

Sincerely,
PC

My story starts off in October 2008 when my husband and I found out that we had unexplained fertility issues. My Husband was 33 and I was 30 years old. Despite being told by several doctors that we were young and not to worry, it was unsettling. We started a cycle of clomiphene and IUI, which failed after 3 cycles. We were then recommended to try IVF. I never thought we would have to take this route of action, but we were still hopeful and we wanted to become pregnant. March of 2009 we completed one cycle of IVF only to be devastated by the results. The IVF procedure resulted in 9 eggs, 5 mature and 4 immature. The 5 that were mature were of “D” quality and were not able to fertilize. The 4 immature were good quality but not developed enough. One immature egg had fertilized and was transferred at day 3 at 4 cells. Unfortunately, a pregnancy did not result. I was heartbroken and in shock. Our follow-up appointment with the fertility doctor did not go well. He basically told us to explore donor egg options. To this day, that conversation makes my heart sink.

After one cycle of IVF, we had heard about acupuncture for fertility issues. I had met Dr. Erin Flynn and was immediately attached to this idea. We decided that I would do 3 to 6 months of weekly acupuncture treatments before trying another round of IVF. After 2 months of treatments, we were unexpectantly surprised that we were pregnant! It was unbelievable. We found out the day before we were going to Hawaii for vacation. It was an amazing feeling – “no more IVF!” The happiness lasted 10 days. I had an ultrasound as soon as we returned only to find out that the pregnancy was a tubal pregnancy. I was in the hospital, had surgery, but had an acute hemorrhagic episode resulting in losing the tube. It was horrific. I still can’t stop thinking about that day. During this time of recovery, I continued seeing Dr. Flynn, which really sped up my recovery phase. My surgeon was really impressed that I had bounced back after 6 weeks, especially after what I had been through.

We tried another cycle of IVF February 2010, which failed, and a frozen embryo transfer in June 2010 resulting in a chemical pregnancy. We decided to switch fertility clinics and attempted a third IVF, which resulted in no pregnancy. We were immediately recommended to try the frozen embryo transfer, which resulted in a pregnancy! We were so happy and overjoyed.

I am due in July 2011 and am overjoyed. I would definitely put a lot of my belief in our journey towards acupuncture. I feel that my symptoms, the side effects from the medicines and my overall fertility experience was nurtured by acupuncture. Dr. Flynn does amazing work and is very specific and detail oriented. She helped me through this journey in order to achieve the desired results. I have had controlled nausea and headaches with the acupuncture since becoming pregnant. The relaxation alone has provided me with strength throughout the day. I would recommend acupuncture to anyone who has been struggling with fertility or even symptoms of pregnancy. I am continuing acupuncture once weekly to continue to have support throughout my pregnancy. My experience with Dr. Flynn has been very positive and rewarding.

-name withheld, Surrey