Stories
TCM Assists 29yr with Pregnancy
Dr. Hsiang Ping Lee
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L’s Journey: Overcoming Challenges to Embrace Motherhood
At 27, L works in the United States and has been married for three years. She has a history of endometriosis and adenomyosis, and despite naturally conceiving twice in the past two years, she suffered three unexplained miscarriages. In July of last year, she returned to Taiwan to prepare for pregnancy and came to NUWA for both Chinese and Western medicine treatments.
Identifying the Challenges
Dr. Wang Huailin’s examination revealed reduced ovarian function (AMH: 1.82) and a 2 cm chocolate cyst on her left ovary. L experienced severe menstrual pain, often needing painkillers, and had heavy menstrual flow requiring the use of adult-sized pads. Additionally, she faced significant work stress, insomnia, headaches, lower back pain, acne, constipation, and excessive thirst. After a thorough assessment, Dr. Li diagnosed her with yin deficiency with heat and qi stagnation, prescribing Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan and Si Ni San to treat her symptoms.
Holistic Treatment for Fertility
With limited time in Taiwan, L planned to undergo egg retrieval in one month, committing to weekly herbal medicine and acupuncture sessions to enhance her ovarian health. Her husband also participated in treatment for fatigue and sleep issues, leading to significant improvements for both of them.
On August 6, she successfully retrieved 16 eggs. Post-retrieval, she experienced bloating and a weight gain of one kilogram, alongside a cough due to a cold. The treatment was adjusted to include herbs for qi regulation and cough relief, and L planned for embryo transfer in three months.
Before returning to the U.S. in mid-August, she took herbal remedies to manage her menstrual pain and regulate her uterus. She reported a notable decrease in discomfort.
In mid-October, upon returning to Taiwan, she added acupuncture and moxibustion to her treatment plan. The endometrial thickness was optimal at 0.9 cm with three ideal lines before the implantation.
Navigating Unexpected Obstacles
Following the embryo transfer in early November, L faced several setbacks. Initially, she experienced a sore throat from a cold, which was later complicated by an acute gastroenteritis infection from a dinner gathering, requiring an emergency visit. Once her gastrointestinal issues resolved, she began to experience early pregnancy symptoms such as bloating and nausea.
In early December, she encountered abdominal pain and bleeding, leading to the discovery of a 2x3 cm subchorionic hematoma via ultrasound. She was hospitalized for monitoring and treatment, where both Chinese and Western medicine helped reduce the bleeding and shrink the hematoma.
A Joyful Conclusion
Ultimately, L graduated to motherhood just before Christmas, flying back to the U.S. to await the arrival of her baby. This journey was undoubtedly challenging, but she remained resilient throughout, supported by her husband and the continuous care from our clinic. Congratulations to L and her husband on this wonderful milestone! We wish them a smooth delivery and eagerly anticipate their precious dragon baby.
