Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(102)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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!

***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!

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!

Of course western medicine has done wonderful things but are we so arrogant that we would assume that something practiced for thousands of years has no value? Anyone who thinks that western medicine alone is the ONLY real treatment option for infertility has obviously never experienced or been exposed to the sheer miracle this treatment offers. "A Reader" from CA (of course this person would go nameless) and other skeptics should realize that those struggling with infertility have nothing to lose and that these treatments are the perfect accompaniment to a "western" protocol.

As a PCOS/Endometriosis patient with no success via the standard ob/gyn/RE protocol, I began to ovulate on my own (documented by temp charts, ovulation kits and physician examinations). In addition, I stopped having migraines and allergies and felt so much better overall, I can hardly describe how much it has helped me. Unfortunately due to a severe male factor problem, we were not able to conceive and have since moved on.

I personally know of dozens of people who have had success using this treatment after years and years of failure including multiple miscarriages, etc. What is "A Reader" so afraid of?

Dr. Lewis is a very committed professional who I have seen work tirelessly with her patients and on this book so that she can help others. Her only motivation is to help people and I felt like this review was an attack by somebody who doesn't know what they're talking about. Predatory? If something works then it works - I'd rather know of success stories than of studies. But for those who need such things, there was a study published in the medical journal "Fertility & Sterility" regarding the success of acupucture in conjunction with IVF. Link here: http://abcnews.go.com/sections/GMA/HealthyWoman/GMA020416Accupuncture.html .

Could it be that since each IVF treatment costs between $10K - $15K per cycle, some might be afraid that we'll stop spending our life savings, taking on second mortgages and going deep into debt for medical treatment that is rarely covered by insurance and that is immediately "prescribed" by so many doctors (is this not truly "predatory"?). Worse, some might simply feel that they have NO HOPE because they aren't rich enough to pursue this treatment (which often times isn't even necessary).

Acupuncture/herbal therapy does not incur anywhere near those kinds of costs! Give it a chance, even if you are skeptical (which I was, along with being afraid of needles, and it was just fine). In the hands of a competent professional, you will not be disappointed. One last thing - many Reproductive Endocinologists have figured out that this treatment will greatly help their own success rates and I would not see one who isn't supportive of this treatment in conjunction with their protocol. Thank you, Dr. Lewis for the wonderful gift of this book and for everything you've done to help those struggling with infertility.

I bought this book in July of 04, after 2 failed attempts at IVF.
We started late at having a baby. We conceived naturally in 2002, but miscarried, the embryo was not viable. I found a licensed acupuncturist, quit my job as a first grade teacher and after 6 months of treatment using herbs, acupuncture and prayer we conceived! We had a little boy in October 05'. I do believe that acupuncture and the regiment I followed helped us to have our son. I continued acupuncture throughout my pregnancy and still do today. I was 43 1/2 when our little man was born. The book gave me a whole different perspective on infertility and other options to use and help along with the IVF.

Anna

After 6 years, this book made the difference. I just have to share this with anyone and everyone who is trying to conceive and having difficulty. I think it's important you know my fertility background.

I am now 35 years old, about 178lbs now, my husband is 36 and we have been TTC for 6 years and 2 months. About 16 months in, I decided to quit a very stressful job (which I believed was a major factor in my inability to conceive) and we conceived but I had a miscarriage at 6 weeks. I was beyond devastated. To try for so long only to lose our first hope was crushing. I went back to work at a less stressful job about 8 months later.

We did all of the standard testing, some multiple times, over the years. I had an HSG to see if my tubes were blocked. My husband's sperm was tested. I went to an endocrinologist who said I was borderline PCOS (with no cysts). So I tried Metformin. We tried several natural methods like the Creighton Model System with which you chart your cervical mucus to track your most fertile times, etc. I also went to a naturalist who helped me with anxiety with Adrenal Stress End (a miracle supplement!), but the Progesterone cream and Chasteberry herbs he suggested did not help me conceive. I even moved my bedroom around and of course we tried every position and I even tried standing on my head! Hey, when you're desperate, you'll do anything! We were diagnosed with Unexplained Infertility. The only diagnostic thing I did not do was a laparoscopy.

Well, that was about the worst thing to me. If nothing was wrong, and so there's nothing to fix, what do you do next? I really didn't want to try Clomid or ART. I wanted to become pregnant naturally if possible. I was afraid of the side effects of Clomid and the expense and toll ART would take on my mind and my body. But finally in Oct. '06 I felt like we had no choice but to start trying something else, so I took Letrozole (like Clomid) for 3 months. I had the worst possible experience with it. I had every side effect including panic attacks and no baby. By Dec. I decided that was enough. My job had become more stressful and after so long without conceiving I had a discussion with my husband about putting trying for a family first. I quit my job again and worked hard on eating better and losing some weight. Also reading and meditating and really trying to relax (that evil word!) and get healthy.

We made a plan that at the end of summer we would start ART if we still hadn't conceived naturally. Then in early July I happened upon this book online "The Infertility Cure" by Randine Lewis, Ph.D. I bought the book and began reading immediately. TCM is based on the theory that whatever problem you have is based on a whole body imbalance. And when you fix the imbalance, the problem will correct itself. They don't treat symptoms with medicine. They treat the problem that causes the symptoms (an imbalance) with diet, herbs, and acupuncture mostly.

Finally! Something that would address the imbalance in me that was causing infertility! There is a questionnaire in the book that lists 5 pages of "symptoms" that then tell you where the imbalance lies. And then it tells you specifically what to do to fix it! She said it normally takes 3 - 6 months for your body to come into balance. I had 3 months until ART was to start. I figured I'd do the recommendations in the book and then if we still hadn't conceived, ART would be in place ready to go. I put forth full effort. I jokingly said I wanted a "free baby!", so I put my health first. I found a Chinese acupuncturist (something my ART doctors highly recommend) who specializes in infertility. She said she actually uses the questionnaire in this book when someone comes to her for infertility. I filled it out, read the book, and started the dietary guidelines immediately. Which for me was to cut out dairy, wheat and high-sugar foods, not to eat cold foods, to do things like warm foot soaks and femoral artery massage to stimulate blood flow to the uterus. I had my first acupuncture treatment for fertility on day 24 of my cycle (last Wednesday).

Yesterday, I had a positive result for a pregnancy test!! Over 6 long years of negative results, broken dreams and self-doubt. I believed there was a natural way to allow me to conceive. And I finally found it. I never even took any of the herbs. I didn't get a chance! Ladies, I can't tell you, this was the easiest thing I did over the 6 years of trying. Please, before you take medical drugs or start ART, try this. Even if you need ART because of a medical problem, this book teaches you easily how to get your body in the best possible place it can be for conception to occur. I cannot recommend it enough for obvious reasons.

I know first hand the frustration and sadness that not being able to conceive brings. I pray for anyone who is looking for the answers that I was to see this and give it a try. I pray that anyone who reads this will also send out a little prayer for us that this pregnancy continues and that I am able to give birth to a beautiful healthy child that we have been waiting for, for so long. I will pray for all who read this to share in the success that we have had!

After 4 years trying to conceive I got pregnant one month after read this book and follow Randine's advices. It was amazing. Everything makes sense. I am recomending this book to all my brazilian friends but it is a pitty there is no portuguese version. I had history of recurrent miscarriages and genetic problemas but got pregnant naturally at age of 41 yo and high FSH after 9 induction Clomid cycles, videolaparoscopy, 2 HSGs and 3 negative IUIs

I am 45 years old and have a beautiful five-month-old baby girl, after a western fertility doctor said I had "between a zero to five-percent chance" of conceiving with my own egg. Applying the information from this book changed my reproductive health entirely. TCM is underrated in this country. Dr. Randine Lewis, THANK YOU a million times over.

At 35 years old I was diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis and after several very invasive and unpleasant treatments was told that I would not be able to have my own children. I was not ready to give up and seeked acupuncture treatment. My acupuncturist happened to be Dr. Lewis. Within 2 months I noticed that I did not suffer from the painful symptoms that the doctors could not seem to stop. The doctors wanted to do a hysterectomy. After 7 months of acupuncture treatment and Chinese herbs I was pregnant, with twins. Her book "talks" to you on your level, as if she is actually talking to you. I recommend this book to anyone who is seeking alternative help with their infertility or use along with assisted technologies. Her book gives you information on diet and tips that you can use to help yourself as well.

Dr. Lewis' new book is a must-read for anyone---medical professionals and patients alike---dealing with the emotional, physical, and financial rollercoaster that encompasses infertility today. She outlines the general principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and provides in-depth information about treatments for a variety of infertility issues ranging from unexplained infertility to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).

Most important, Dr. Lewis' book gives new hope to millions of people who dream of becoming parents. One of the most powerful thoughts in this book, from my perspective, is that infertile couples are *not broken* but rather imbalanced. For those patients who have only walked along the treatment paths that Western medicine has to offer, Dr. Lewis' well-written text is a guide to forging a new path---one that can replace and/or complement Western medicine. Through and through, this book is empowering and healing for both the physical and spiritual self.