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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

About the Author
Randine Lewis, PhD, Master of Science in Oriental Medicine, is a licenced 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, www pregnancy.com, and www inciid.org.

Customer Reviews

Good information for those who think they have tried "everything"
This book has a large amount of information about alternative healing but it doesn't present it in a weird new agey way. It is presented factually in a manner that is easy to read.

I actually live in Houston so I checked out the clinic the author started. I was disappointed to learn she no longer treats people who cannot afford one of her $5000 K workshops. Only her partners still see patients there.

However, for those not in Houston this book is helpful. The only caveat I would give is that she touts that TCM is so much less expensive than conventional infertility treatments. I found this wasn't exactly the case. At $60 per acupuncture treatment and then $30 per week for each herb prescribed (prescribed 4) the costs add up quickly.

The herbs did help me ovulate without the assistance of other drugs and I plan to use it to complement my future ART procedures.

Brilliantly clear and helpful
Originally I was lent this book by a fellow infertile lady. It became my constant companion so I felt duty-bound to purchase my own copy. Randine Lewis writes about a complex and to me, new and unknown topic, with absolute clarity. Her training as a 'western' medical doctor, combined with her personal experiences of infertility convinced me that Traditional Chinese Medicine was something that I must try. I am only 33 but for reasons unexplainable by western medicine seem to have a problem with egg fertilisation. My western doctors feel there is little left they can do. Randine Lewis showed me that there was still a road I had not tried. HAving read her book I sought out a TCM practitioner who is now treating me and feels positive that he can help me conceive naturally! A fascinating subject that should be read by every woman suffering from infertility. Often, Assisited Reproductive Technologies are not even needed if you pursue this path.

LOVE THIS BOOK!!
The book makes sooo much sense. TCM is different from the traditional medicine we grow up around in the US but this book explains TCM so simply. I've had no problems understanding it. After three miscarriages and currently 41, it has given me the hope and energy to try again. I have an appointment with an acupuncturist in 4 days and can't wait to start this treatment that has helped so many others.