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| Photo from Acupuncture Australia. |
The photo above is a pretty clear picture of acupuncture tack needles - small and connected to a band-aid like adhesive square, they can stay in place for a week or so. I know this, because I recently wore two in my lower abdomen for 8 days straight! Today, I have four in my stomach (over my two ovaries and two over my uterus). The goal? To stimulate my ovaries and uterus and cause me to ovulate on my own.
I think I forgot to mention in my past postings that about four days after my second intense acupuncture appointment, that my cycle did, indeed, reset entirely. I had a 24-day cycle with no ovulation. On the one hand, it was amazing - I had my first period on my own in at least 6+ months; but on the other hand it was disappointing to know that our cycle was truly "over", even though we had already moved on from Dr. S's care.
Honestly, I don't know how I feel about any of this anymore. I know that acupuncture works, but will it work enough to help me conceive? Is it worth it to keep worrying and trying anymore? Mr. C and I have started the adoption process for Thailand already, but since we're not eligible until our 3rd wedding anniversary in October, we decided to "keep trying" naturally until then.
Essentially, it means that I eat a LOW carb diet, exercise like a fiend every day, and go to acupuncture weekly (sometimes bi-weekly), like a good girl. I've been doing all of these things, yet I have no idea what to expect. I'm actually shocked at how much apathy I have toward the situation anymore. Maybe it's all a defense mechanism after so many failures, but I simply cannot get myself excited about the possibility of conceiving. Terrible, I know.
I've thought that perhaps I should just go ahead and go back on some sort of BCP; because once the adoption begins "for real" we cannot get pregnant or our files are immediately terminated. So, what to do? What to do?
I really don't want to stop doing acupuncture. I have been amazed at how quickly it has healed my body and caused it to work all on it's own. Yet, the other side of my rationale tells me to just let it all go and focus on being the best adoptive mommy I can be. I used to pray that God would answer my prayers of being a bio mom, but now I just pray that His will be done. If He wants me to have a bio child, then I know I will. If he wills me to be the mother of adopted children only, then no amount of screaming and crying and whining will change that.
I know that statement will probably irk some people or make some people mad. My mom has said to me time and again that we have the power to heal ourselves through prayer, and I believe this is mostly true. BUT, it's hard for me to believe that the person wanting desperately to be healed of cancer but died anyway just didn't "pray right or hard enough". It's unthinkable. That's not the God I serve; He couldn't be so heartless. So, where does that leave us? Well, that is for another (MUCH LONGER and BETTER THOUGHT OUT) blog; but in short, I believe that God DOES have a plan for each and every one of us. He loves us so much! But I also think that sometimes He knows better than we do; and sometimes what we think we want is not what we need.
My life has a plan. I have no clue what it is most days, but I will walk down any path God sets in front of me. I know if I do so willingly, that I will have many blessings and the most amazing adventures...I'm definitely on my way.
So Much Love,
*mandie*
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My opinion, for what it's worth, is that you should continue with the acupuncture and diet for YOU and your health, to get your system back to a state of balance. If a pregnancy comes of it, great, but I think if you don't make pregnancy the end goal, it takes the pressure and stress off (somewhat).
ReplyDeleteHave you thought about adding herbs to the mix? I highly recommend the book The Infertility Cure by Randine Lewis. It walks you through the Traditional Chinese Medicine approach to hormonal balance, and even addresses PCOS specifically in one chapter. She lays out recommendations for diet, acupuncture/acupressure and Chinese herbs. So far I've only tried the acupressure, but I really believe it has helped. If this last IUI is a bust, I'm going to add the herbs.
Anyway, I'll shut up now! Good luck with it. :)
Awesome! Do you know what herbs she suggests for PCOS? I'm super curious; I'll have to check that book out...hopefully they have it for Kindle, that would be sweet!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've thought a bit more about it all; and I definitely think that it's best overall if I remain on the path of trying to become totally healthy and whole, no matter what the outcome. I just wish God would burst out of the clouds and speak to my face...I could really use a clear sign right about now.
Here's what the book says about herbs for PCOS:
ReplyDelete"Include Gleditsia (Zao Jiao Ci) during the first half of your menstrual cycle, before ovulation. Gleditsia is categorized as a phlegm-resolving medicinal in TCM and is known to dissolve the waxy capsule that forms around the ovaries in PCOS. Gleditsia also promotes ovulation.
Leonurus (Chong Wei Zi) is a blood-quickening medicinal that encourages ovulation in those who have any element of Blood stasis."
Other herbs may be needed, depending on the pattern of imbalances you have. The book has a self-diagnostic test you can take to figure out which areas are out of balance.
Thanks for the info! I talked to my acupuncturist today, and he said he could order these herbs for me if I wanted. He doesn't use them a lot, because he sees good results with just the acupuncture itself; but he had heard of them and said he could get them in for me. I think I might just try this cycle out as is, and then maybe next cycle I'll add the herbs. Again, thanks for the info; I really appreciate it! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome. :)
ReplyDeleteIf you have any other questions, you can email me at daphoenus@gmail.com.
Good luck!