Two Clients Messaged Me This Week to Say They're Pregnant. Here's What They Did to Get There.
There are some messages that never lose their magic.
This week, two clients reached out to share the wonderful news that they're pregnant. Although their paths to pregnancy were very different, both women had one thing in common—they invested in understanding their health, preparing their bodies for conception, and committed to a consistent treatment plan over time.
Every fertility journey is unique. There is no single formula for becoming pregnant, but these two stories highlight how addressing underlying health concerns and working alongside your healthcare team can be an important part of preparing for pregnancy.
Client One: From Long, Irregular Cycles to a Natural Pregnancy
My first client came to see me before trying to conceive. She had always experienced long, irregular menstrual cycles and had previously been told she had PCOS.
Today, you'll also hear the term PMOS (Polycystic Ovarian Morphology Syndrome). This reflects an important distinction in women's health. Some women have polycystic-appearing ovaries on ultrasound (PMOS) without having the full hormonal and metabolic features of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
While the names sound similar, they are not always the same condition.
Women with PCOS may experience:
- Long or irregular menstrual cycles
- Delayed or absent ovulation
- Elevated androgen (male hormone) levels
- Acne or excess hair growth
- Difficulty conceiving
- Insulin resistance in some cases
Women with PMOS may simply have ovaries that appear polycystic on ultrasound while maintaining regular ovulation and hormone levels.
For this client, the goal was to support healthier menstrual cycles and ovulation before she began trying to conceive.
She committed to regular acupuncture appointments and an individualised Chinese herbal medicine prescription over several months. As her cycles became more predictable, she felt increasingly confident understanding when she was ovulating.
She later contacted me with the news that she had conceived naturally.
Every fertility story is different, but seeing someone move from uncertainty around their cycles to pregnancy is always incredibly rewarding.
Client Two: Endometriosis, Surgery and IVF
The second message came from a client whose journey looked very different.
She had experienced years of heavy, painful periods and had been diagnosed with endometriosis.
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can contribute to:
- Pelvic pain
- Painful periods
- Pain during intercourse
- Pain with bowel motions
- Fatigue
- Difficulty conceiving for some women
Initially, she hoped to conceive naturally and attended regular acupuncture appointments while taking prescribed Chinese herbal medicine to support her menstrual health and manage her symptoms.
After further assessment with her specialist, surgery was recommended to remove endometriosis before commencing IVF.
She continued acupuncture before and after surgery as part of her broader care, then proceeded with IVF.
I'm delighted to share that she became pregnant from her first IVF transfer.
Her story is a wonderful reminder that fertility care is often a team effort. Gynaecologists, fertility specialists, embryologists, acupuncturists and Chinese herbal medicine practitioners all have different roles to play, depending on each person's circumstances.
There Isn't One Right Path
One client conceived naturally after addressing irregular cycles.
Another needed surgery and IVF before achieving pregnancy.
Neither journey was "better" or "easier"—they were simply different.
One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that every fertility journey follows the same timeline. In reality, fertility is influenced by many factors including age, ovulation, hormone function, egg quality, sperm quality, pelvic health, endometriosis, PCOS, lifestyle factors and underlying medical conditions.
The most important step is understanding why pregnancy hasn't happened yet and building the right support team around you.
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine in Fertility Care
Many people choose to include acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine as part of their fertility care while trying to conceive naturally or alongside fertility treatment.
Treatment plans are individualised and may focus on supporting menstrual cycle health, ovulation, pelvic circulation and managing symptoms associated with conditions such as PCOS or endometriosis. Care is provided alongside your GP, gynaecologist or fertility specialist where appropriate.
Thinking About Starting Your Own Fertility Journey?
Whether you're preparing to try for your first baby, navigating irregular cycles, managing PCOS or endometriosis, or preparing for IVF, having a personalised plan can help you understand your options.
If you're looking for fertility acupuncture in Brookvale, acupuncture for PCOS, acupuncture for endometriosis, or acupuncture to support IVF, I'd love to help you explore how acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine may fit into your care.
Book a consultation to discuss your health history and create a treatment plan tailored to your individual fertility journey.
