Naturopath vs Chinese herbalist

[chicken]

I've got an appointment with a naturopath (who specialises in fertility) next week, but having never been to one before, I'm not really sure what they do, or what the difference is between a naturopath and a chinese herbalist.

I think I've got unexplained infertility (ovulating, regular cycles, LT phase normal, spermies good) - we have been p/g once in 13 cycles, so I know there are no serious problems, but obviously something is making it hard.

I guess I'm wondering, for those of you that may have seen a naturopath or chinese herbalist (or both), why you chose one rather than the other, and how their treatments or philosophies may be different?

[cmd'smum]

Hi Ckickie!!! :hugs:

I am seeing a chinese herbalist. I'm going to her because she has been recommended to me by a few ppl. I've also done some research into chinese herbs and fertility and they can do some amazing things!! I've yet to see some results though. This is CD 16 for me and I'm still spotting after AF!! :banghead: So god knows when I'll O!!! My cycles have absolutley gone haywire since my M/C.

As for naturopaths...I'm not sure. However, to confuse you a little further, :D a good friend of mine was diagnosed with unexplained infertility and the cycle she got pg on she actually had accupunture a few days before........

Good luck with whatever you decide!!!

xo

:fingerscrossed: you won't need you're appointment because you're already pg!

[Peaceangels]

We saw a fertility specialist naturopath when we were ttc #1 (it was the one on A Current Affair last night) nad basically what they do is look and your diet and lifestyle, go through medical history etc and prescribe vitamins and herbal tonic's suited to your needs.
The aim is to get the egg and the sperm at optimal health to conceive. It is a holistic approach with naturopath's.
I never saw a Chinese herbalist, but have heard they are good also.
Goodluck!

[melbryan]

I saw a naturopath after having DS1 to regulate my cycles. It did this without a problem but I still didn't get pregnant.
I decided after a while I would lose weight and voila I got pregnant. I know I can get pregnant so I was wondering why it wouldn't happen.
I didn't put so much pressure on myslef and stopped testing every month on the dot and it just happened.

[little_fish]

Hi Chicky

I'm a brisbanite too, I'd be interested to know who you end up seeing and what it is like. :fingerscrossed: to you!

[nicoleE]

I was/am seeing both...

I see a naturopath/nutritionist once a month and he has put me on certain vitamin supplaments and some herbal ones to to enhance my fertility. He looks at my overall health and has been concentrating on my stress levels. He looks at my heart rate via a machine and can see the rythum up on the screen, he also looks at my blood under a microscope, it is amazing what they can tell from a drop of blood! One he knew i had hurt my back (in the past week) by looking at it! :eek: It wasnt hurting anymore by that time so i was defiantely not displaying signs of it hurting!

I also have been seeing a naturopath/acupuncturist who does chinese herbal medicine in conjunction with the acupuncture. I was seeing him once a week for about 2 months, then a couple more times fortnightly. He was working on my fertility and general body health. He checked my Yin/Yang levels by 'listening' (feeling) to my Kidney chi from my pulse, checking my tounge, eyes and finger nails. As well as the acupuncture I was given chinese herbal medicine to take every night.. this was made up by him from the raw dried herbs and each weekly supply depended on what he was focusing to improve.
I dont see him at the moment as I have just been diagnosed with PCOS and am on my first round of Clomid... I felt it was all a bit much to keep up with so I decided to drop the acupuncture/chinese medicine for a while. Not to mention the cost was becoming a bit much, I reached the cap on my Health Fund rebates for 'alternative therapies' pretty quickly!

[Jules16]

I would recommend chinese herbs/acupuncture - but go for someone who has come recommended and who specialises in fertility. It took a couple before I found the right one. It seems though that everyone's experiences are different. Chinese Herbs are what have worked for me in regulating my cycles though - thank goodness!!

[pink_shoos]

After TTC for 5 months I chose to see a Chinese herbalist/acupuncturist as I felt my diet and lifestyle were fairly good already. He checked my tongue and my pulse, told me I had weak kidneys, low metabolism, low basal body temperature, mild depression and also blood clots that were causing painful periods! (Not great news...)He put me on herbs to start with controlling my cycle, improving metabolism and depression and also gave me a sheet to chart my temperatures. Within a week I was feeling much more positive, had lost 1 kg in weight and although the herbs upset my stomach a bit I never got my next period as I was pg :)

He said he can treat fertility with acupuncture as well but it takes longer and is more expensive (depends on the patient though).

I would reccomend the experience to anyone. If you want his details (he is in Crows Nest, Sydney) just PM me.

[SilverStarfish]

After nearly 2 years of TTC, my DH and I went to see Jason Jackson (http://www.naturopathic.net.au/), a naturopath in Brisbane (Greenslopes). We were with him only 3 cycles when we conceived. It might have just been coincidence, but I honestly and truly believe that it would not have happened without him.

He's got 6 children of his own, so he must know a thing or two about making babies ;)

[chicken]

Thank you to everyone for your replies. I will see how the naturopath goes, but I already feel like my diet, etc is pretty healthy already, but will keep an open mind. I might try a Chinese herbalist if I have no success. Thanks again.

[Livy]

Hi Chicken - I just wanted to say good luck and I hope you are the next success story :) There are so many positive stories from people seeing naturopaths and herbalists.