Silver Lining

Waiting...waiting...more waiting. Waiting for AF so I can schedule my baseline u/s and bloodwork in order to begin my BCPs and head into IVF #3 (actually #2)

I can't stand inaction and I'm always looking to my next plan of attack. Well, while I was waiting, I found it. "It" is a book called The Infertility Cure by Randine Lewis and it is like a breath of fresh air. It gives advice on how to use traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to get and stay pregnant and deliver healthy babies to full term. If you're like me and highly frustrated with Western medicine's strictly scientific approach to conception, check this book out! I am convinced that my "unexplained" infertility with mild male factor can be "explained" once I'm treated as a whole.

I'm not trying to knock the multi-billion dollar ART industry, I just think it's important that we remember that it is just that - an industry that makes $$$ with each new "infertile" that walks in the door. I cannot begin to tell you how many times we tried to ask our old RE to explain why my DH's sperm count went from 1 million/ml to 50 million/ml in only 2 months! The standard answer: Sperm counts fluctuate. WTF?! By 50 fucking million!!!??? I don't think so.

After reading this book, I'm flat out convinced his count could be improved based on the principals of TCM. I'm also convinced that my body is completely out of whack! I drink too much wine, eat like shit because I always could, and don't exercise. I'm also extremely intense and feel that I, like most IFs, have a great deal of stress. TCM works to restore and maintain balance in the body. It doesn't just treat the symptom, it looks to find the imbalance that causes the symptom. Why, then, would an RE not tell us to explore this option? The answer became quite obvious once I took my head out of my ass - They're running a rather lucrative business, baby! Again, I thank God for this business, but I think it is vital that each of us remembers this fact.

Be your own advocate. Do the research. Look into other approaches, especially if you fall into the realm of the "unexplained." Combining Western medical technologies with the Eastern approach of aligning your mind, body, emotions, and spirit seems like the best of both worlds. Right now, for me, finding balance within myself is my biggest goal. Maybe you've reached this point. Maybe you haven't. Maybe you've already fought the good fight and found your happy ending. In any event, I'd like to end this post with a Chinese proverb from the book.

There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view remains the same.

Happy Valentine's weekend everyone!