The Infertility Cure: The Ancient Chinese Wellness Program for Getting Pregnant and Having Healthy Babies [Paperback]

Randine Lewis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 21, 2005

Infertility affects one out of six couples today. Dr. Lewis presents a groundbreaking alternative approach to infertility, explaining how she used traditional Chinese medicine to treat her own infertility, successfully conceiving and giving birth to two children.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lewis, a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, believes infertile couples should turn to Chinese medicine as an alternative to what she considers painful, invasive and time-consuming Western treatments. She first explains, "Traditional Chinese medicine holds that a woman's body must be gently nourished and encouraged to bear fruit.... I have found that most hormonal imbalances (which contribute to 40 percent of documented cases of infertility, yet are considered untreatable by conventional Western medicine) respond to Eastern methods of treatment." In Lewis's experience, women who have undergone three to six months of the dietary changes, herbs and acupuncture treatments become pregnant with no further effort. Lewis intersperses her somewhat technical examination of the program with anecdotes about her patients, weaving in discussions on diet, herbal supplements, acupuncture, older women and problems related to infertility. Lewis writes well and simplifies many complex concepts, such as the theory that there are four vital substances in the body (Yin, Yang, Qi and Blood), and that they're likely to be suffering from imbalance caused by energy excess, deficiency or stagnation. However, she trusts that her view is the solution for all infertile couples. Readers with infertility issues may well benefit by adopting some of Lewis's strategies, but they would also be wise to discuss her approach with their doctors before abandoning their current treatments. 41 line drawings.
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Review

'A wonderfully authoritative answer to the collective prayers of the many thousands of women who want to have a baby but have been told that they're infertile' - Christiane Northrup, MD, author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom 'Lewis simplifies many complex concepts, such as the theory that there are four vital substances in the body (Yin, Yang, Qi, and Blood) and that they're likely to be suffering from imbalance caused by energy excess, deficiency, or stagnation' - Publishers Weekly

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (March 21, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316159212
• ISBN-13: 978-0316159210
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.9 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (132 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,616 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Infertility
  • #26 in Books > History > Ancient
  • #53 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Alternative Medicine

More About the Author

Randine Lewis, Ph.D., I was raised in northern Minnesota, but I always knew I would leave my birthplace and family of origin to find my place in the world. And I knew it would involve struggle and sacrifice. My early life was not easy. I was plagued with shyness, and wasn't very adept at expressing myself to others. But I could write. And I could express myself on paper far easier than in spoken word. And I could read. I've always found my greatest escape in books. I devoured fantasy novels as a child, such as the Narnia Chronicles, by C.S. Lewis. As an adult, I overcame my shyness, but never overcame my love for books. My nightstand is still always stocked with a novel, a self-help book, spiritual writings, and professional works. My greatest love is when I can find a book that encompasses them all.

Randine Lewis, Ph.D., master of science in Oriental medicine, is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist who has studied both Eastern and Western medicine. A professional member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, she is the residing medical expert on About.com's infertility site and on HowToMakeAFamily.com. She has Eastern Harmony clinics in Asheville, North Carolina, and Houston, Texas.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

239 of 240 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mother of two who was given no chance, December 6, 2006

By 

AJ - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Infertility Cure: The Ancient Chinese Wellness Program for Getting Pregnant and Having Healthy Babies (Paperback)

This book is a MUST READ for anyone trying to get pregnant. At 39 I had an FSH of 15.9 and was told by a fertility specialist to consider donor eggs or adoption - end of story no other options. He said I was out of eggs and gave me a 5% chance of conciving (with or without IVF) and a 1% chance of carrying a baby to full term. My husband and I where devistated to say the least. I did tons of research, sat in chat rooms and read thousands of on-line postings and support group websites. This book made the difference! I never believed in anything non-western and thought all the other stuff like acupuncture was hokey. I read the book cover to cover, followed a strict diet and did acupunture. After one, yes ONE month of trying I became pregnent and had a perfect girl. Nine months after that I did everything again and after four months of trying go pregnant again and have perfect little boy. I want to put their pictures on a brick and throw it through that doctors wondow. If you are having problems please read this book. While I understand that this may not help someone with blocked tubes who needs surgery at least you can check the box that it's not an imbalance due to bad diet or stress. Please ladies, read this book with an open mind and give it a try. This book and a lot of sincere prayer helped me. And to those of you trying who are frustrated and heartbroken please know that you are not alone!

62 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It sure is helping me (Edited to add success), January 10, 2005

By 

InfertileMyrtle "InfertileMyrtle" (NC, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Infertility Cure: The Ancient Chinese Wellness Program for Getting Pregnant and Having Healthy Babies (Hardcover)

***ETA: I did more acupuncture but again ran out of money. So, going back to Ms. Lewis' book, I did my points with a point stimulator and followed my herbal routine along with practicing meditation and guided imagery. And in May 2006, I had my third and permanent positive pregnancy test. I continued my meditation and took it super easy. While my pregnancy was a bit difficult due to an incompetent cervix, I am thrilled to say that this January my beautiful, healthy, sweet little boy celebrated his first birthday. He was born just 5 months shy of my 41st birthday!***

First let me say, that I've been struggling with infertility for over 3 years. I went through two failed IVF cycles, a couple of failed IUI's and for what? NOTHING!! I had started my journey at the age of 35 and couldn't believe that I was already done for when it came to having children.

I will admit that my first book was Inconceivable by Julia Indichova (that led me to wheatgrass to help my FSH levels). I then purchased Alice Domar's "Conquering Infertility" to help me get in the right state of mind. Finally, I came to The Infertility Cure.

I did the acupuncture for some time but finally my funds simply gave way. Instead I relied on her illustrations to choose points for acupressure. I also did the questionnaire and used it to self-diagnose for herbal remedies. I did a great deal of research on each herb to ensure I understood all implications (I would strongly suggest seeing an herbalist to ensure you are choosing correctly).

Well, in August of 2004, I found myself holding a positive home pregnancy test! After over three years of trying to conceive, we had actually succeeded, on our own, with no medical intervention! After spending $21,000 in infertility treatments, I was able to find success in a book that was less than $25.00.

Unfortunately, my pregnancy didn't last. I lost it just two short weeks after I saw my positive. But I didn't lose hope. After all, I had finally moved a step past where I had been for so long. I continued to practice Ms. Lewis' suggestions and found myself pregnant yet again this past December. Again, I am losing that one as I write this but I've not done any of her recommendations for losses.

I am going to make the investment once again for acupuncture treatments. And again, I am going to re-read my book. This time, I am going to pay extra attention to the section on miscarriages. I've no doubt that I will succeed, and with the help of this book! I wish I could afford one of the getaways at Grove Park. But since I can't I'll accept this as a close enough second.

I'm going to have my baby! I have no doubt about it!

105 of 111 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational -- Terrific Resource for Infertile Couples, February 2, 2004

By 

Penny (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Infertility Cure: The Ancient Chinese Wellness Program for Getting Pregnant and Having Healthy Babies (Hardcover)

I'm also a patient of Dr. Lewis' clinic in Houston, and I've been very impressed with the treatment plan used so far. My daughter was a miracle IVF baby and I'm trying to conceive a 2nd child in the face of much negative prognosis under strictly Western medicine. Dr. Lewis' book (and her accupuncture clinic!) have given me new hope and inspiration. Incidentally, "Reader in CA" (so typical for someone like that to write a negative review under the cloak of anonymity): I attempted another IVF cycle with one of the top fertility clinics in Houston this last November, and in my information packet was a brochure for Dr. Lewis' accupuncture clinic! I was already a patient at the time, but I was reassured that my RE's IVF coordinator said they had seen consistently better results with ART cycles done in conjunction with an accupuncture regimen. Sounds to me like a "Reader in CA" is the one who is woefully misinformed! Most of the "top fertility" doctors in the US are increasingly encouraging the use of accupuncture with ART cycles.

In reading through the clear explanations of various imbalances in the female reproductive system included in Dr. Lewis' book, it's readily apparent to me what sorts of things may be interfering with my overall fertility. I thought the book was very well-written and obviously the product of extensive research over many years. I found it easy to read and absorb, but it's hardly fluff or "pseudo-science." I especially enjoyed the section on dietary and lifestyle changes that can be adopted. Incidentally, the last third of the book is devoted to complementary treatments for infertility conditions diagnosed by Western medicine (these treatments aren't necessarily meant to *replace* Western treatments, but rather to be used in conjunction with, a complement to Western science). In sum, I highly recommend this book for all fertility patients!

I've edited this review in June 2003 to indicate that I'm now 12 weeks pregnant with the 2nd child I'd been told I'd never conceive with my own eggs. I conceived just 3 months after adopting many of the dietary and lifestyle changes advocated by Randine Lewis in this book (and by Julia Indichova in Inconceivable). Success!