Alternative Paths; Couples Turn to Acupuncture, Holistic Medicine in Baby Bid
Natalie Gueris and her husband tried to get pregnant for 18 months before starting fertility treatments late last year.
But the fertility drug Clomid wreaked havoc on Gueris emotionally and specialists found nothing physically amiss with the couple. The bus and train rides to the clinic during the stormy winter were stressful and after about two months of treatments, the Charlestown couple decided to stop.
During these sessions, Gueris began getting acupuncture after finding a pamphlet on it at the suburban fertility clinic. She later began going to a chiropractor to align her spine. Earlier this year, she started taking Chinese herbs.
Today, Gueris, at age 35, is seven and a half months pregnant.
"The combination of going to a chiropractor, the acupuncture and Chinese herbs helped me get pregnant," said Gueris. "It got my body in order."
With 3 million couples unable to conceive after a year of trying, an increasing number of couples are turning to holistic therapies - many in combination with more traditional infertility treatments.
Next month, Pathways to Wellness plans to launch a program that combines acupuncture and yoga to help women and men with infertility problems.
Women trying to conceive at all stages - from those wanting to reduce stress to those who have been using fertility treatments for years - have been coming to the Back Bay holistic clinic.
"Every day we get more calls," said Kristen Porter, executive director of Pathways to Wellness.
Studies have shown that acupuncture - the ancient Chinese healing method that involves inserting thin needles into the body - enhances the success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Another recent study found that acupuncture improves the quality of sperm and may help some men overcome sterility problems.
While acupuncture can't repair structural damage, like a damaged fallopian tube, it can work on many different levels for women struggling with infertility, Porter said.
Porter claims itcan regulate the menstrual cycle, regulate hormonal cycles and increase the blood flow to the reproductive organs, which can help support the pregnancy so a woman doesn't miscarry. Acupuncture also balances the endocrine system and reduces stress.
"More and more we're seeing research citing stress and anxiety as a major factor of not being able to conceive," Porter said.
Yoga has also been shown to help with stress and relaxation, Porter said. The center's specialized yoga class will invigorate the energy in the pelvic area, she said.
Terry Connell, an acupuncturist at Pathways, said there was "clear emotional angst" when he first treated Gueris.
"I was focused on balancing the system to make her more relaxed and at ease. If someone is bound up and frustrated, there's no room for anything to grow," said Connell, who said part of the treatment was geared toward nourishing her uterus.
Gueris, who said fertility clinics are essential for some women, has continued acupuncture and chiropracty througout her "dream" pregnancy. She hasn't had any morning sickness and says chiropracty can reduce labor time and pain.
"It's really a holistic approach," Gueris said. "It helps you relax and helps your body in everyway."
A free orientation to the Fertility Enhancement Program will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at Pathways to Wellness, 142 Berkeley St., 2nd floor, Boston.
jheslam@bostonherald.com
Caption: RIGHT TO THE POINT: Terry Connell of Pathways to Wellness gives Natalie Gueris, who is seven months along in her pregnancy, an acupuncture treatment. Gueris and her husband trief for 18 months before conceiving. Staff photo by Faith Ninivaggi