I WANTED TO PREVENT ANOTHER MISCARRIAGE
I came to Erin as I had experience with miscarriage in the past, and wanted to do everything I could to keep this pregnancy. From herbal remedies to traditional acupuncture treatments, Erin helped calm my worries and educate me on numerous practices. The biggest difference I found from Western medicine was that Erin had time to hear my concerns, and created a treatment plan just for me. She listened and worked with me to overcome every symptom I was experiencing as my pregnancy progressed. Even when I was breech, Erin always found time to squeeze me in for another appointment to help turn the baby – and it worked! In the final few weeks of my pregnancy I felt I could depend on Erin to be around if I needed extra sessions, and to treat me to encourage birth when I was overdue. She provided me with techniques I could use to help with labour pain, and encouraged me when I felt overwhelmed.
The care I received from Erin and her clinic went way above and beyond I would expect a medical professional to do. She helped me relax and stay calm enough to focus on providing a stress-free home for my now healthy baby girl.
- Jen, Vancouver
UNEXPLAINED INFERTILITY AND SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL IVFs
My husband and I decided to have a child when I was 30. We stopped BCP, but nothing happened! After 7 months of trying we went to see the doctor and she did all possible tests, which came back completely normal. The following 6 years we did not use any birth control and I got pregnant 3 times – all miscarriages. Fertility clinics labeled me with “unexplained infertility”. At age 36 we tried a few IUI – no result. We moved on to IVF.
I had my IVF cycle in Toronto at very popular and busy clinic. LOL The Doctor said that my ovaries looked very good and my blood test (FSH etc) looked good too. However, the lining of the uterus was a bit on a thin side … To increase our chances he suggested that we use a surrogate. I was lucky – a woman who agreed to be my surrogate happen to be the most wonderful person on Earth! She agreed to help and I started the stims. At that time I was working on a very intense project at work, very often I stayed over time… being constantly under pressure I did not realize how stressed I was. I was sweating at work all the time – never at home, I had heart palpitations at the office all the time -never on the weekends etc…
However I HAD NO IDEA how important it was to maintain the balance in life! I thought the fertility drugs will do the job: my body will make the eggs! I started the stims and on Day 5 of my IVF Cycle I traveled to Toronto. The rest of my cycle I was totally jet lagged and did not eat well (fertility drugs made me a bit sick on my stomach and I had no appetite). As a result I lost a few pounds instead of gaining as I expected and was completely exhausted… However my RE managed to get 17 eggs and 7 healthy looking embryos out of them. Both my surrogate and I had a transfer and full of hope went home. The result was devastating: I did not get pregnant – she miscarried at 6 weeks. What happened later I would call a nightmare: the doctor called me and said that “he strongly suggests that we move to donor eggs now”. My surrogate said that she was afraid to miscarry again and she would not transfer my eggs anymore…. My husband was devastated… He wanted to have my baby so much! It was so important for him!
I decided not to give up and started my research: I found TCM clinic in Vancouver and booked an appointment. This was the best decision I have ever made in my life!!! I met Dr. Erin Flynn at the clinic, told her about my situation and we started our work together. I had acupuncture twice a week , and in a mean time I changed my diet, following her suggestions, stopped stressing at work, and started meditating and practicing yoga. Three months later I noticed a tremendous difference in how I felt: I was full of energy, I felt I could run a Marathon! I had another IVF cycle right after that and the Doctor had to stimulate my ovaries for 3 days less than the first time. We got 14 eggs and 7 embryos and my surrogate got pregnant! (She decided to try one more time, seeing how hard I was working on nourishing my ovaries). She got pregnant and now, 10 months later, I’m looking at my 1 month old precious daughter sleeping in her bassinet 
The Doctor said he was surprised with the result! But I was not! I knew what kind of job Erin and I did to achieve that result! Yes, Western Doctors will tell you that there is no scientific evidence that TCM works – but if you feel your body – you can tell: yes it does!
Based on my experience I would say: Give it a try! It would not hurt, right? Don’t listen if Western Doctors tell you that your eggs are bad. They tell that to everybody so that we would blame on our body, not on the doctors. The truth is – Western doctors can’t help you to improve quality of your eggs, if it was compromised by poor diet, stress, and environment. But you can help yourself! Work on your balance, get plenty of rest, follow your TCM Doctor’s dietary recommendations – and believe me, the chances that your next cycle will be “surprisingly” successful – are super high!
In conclusion I want to thank Dr Erin Flynn for her help! She did a great job guiding me out of the woods of poor balanced life! She helped me to see the Sun shining again. After our appointments I left my depression behind and now I know the techniques how to keep it at bay! I also would like to thank an amazing woman, my surrogate, for her help to bring my baby to this would – she is happy to be here with her mom and dad! I also want to thank all the people who helped me not to lose hope!
I hope more and more women will awake to acceptance of TCM as a tool to improve fertility and overall health!
- Happy mom, Kate Chelsky, Vancouver
TOO YOUNG FOR DONOR EGGS
My story starts off in October 2008 when my husband and I found out that we had unexplained fertility issues. My Husband was 33 and I was 30 years old. Despite being told by several doctors that we were young and not to worry, it was unsettling. We started a cycle of clomiphene and IUI, which failed after 3 cycles. We were then recommended to try IVF. I never thought we would have to take this route of action, but we were still hopeful and we wanted to become pregnant. March of 2009 we completed one cycle of IVF only to be devastated by the results. The IVF procedure resulted in 9 eggs, 5 mature and 4 immature. The 5 that were mature were of “D” quality and were not able to fertilize. The 4 immature were good quality but not developed enough. One immature egg had fertilized and was transferred at day 3 at 4 cells. Unfortunately, a pregnancy did not result. I was heartbroken and in shock. Our follow-up appointment with the fertility doctor did not go well. He basically told us to explore donor egg options. To this day, that conversation makes my heart sink.
After one cycle of IVF, we had heard about acupuncture for fertility issues. I had met Dr. Erin Flynn and was immediately attached to this idea. We decided that I would do 3 to 6 months of weekly acupuncture treatments before trying another round of IVF. After 2 months of treatments, we were unexpectantly surprised that we were pregnant! It was unbelievable. We found out the day before we were going to Hawaii for vacation. It was an amazing feeling – “no more IVF!” The happiness lasted 10 days. I had an ultrasound as soon as we returned only to find out that the pregnancy was a tubal pregnancy. I was in the hospital, had surgery, but had an acute hemorrhagic episode resulting in losing the tube. It was horrific. I still can’t stop thinking about that day. During this time of recovery, I continued seeing Dr. Flynn, which really sped up my recovery phase. My surgeon was really impressed that I had bounced back after 6 weeks, especially after what I had been through.
We tried another cycle of IVF February 2010, which failed, and a frozen embryo transfer in June 2010 resulting in a chemical pregnancy. We decided to switch fertility clinics and attempted a third IVF, which resulted in no pregnancy. We were immediately recommended to try the frozen embryo transfer, which resulted in a pregnancy! We were so happy and overjoyed.
I am due in July 2011 and am overjoyed. I would definitely put a lot of my belief in our journey towards acupuncture. I feel that my symptoms, the side effects from the medicines and my overall fertility experience was nurtured by acupuncture. Dr. Flynn does amazing work and is very specific and detail oriented. She helped me through this journey in order to achieve the desired results. I have had controlled nausea and headaches with the acupuncture since becoming pregnant. The relaxation alone has provided me with strength throughout the day. I would recommend acupuncture to anyone who has been struggling with fertility or even symptoms of pregnancy. I am continuing acupuncture once weekly to continue to have support throughout my pregnancy. My experience with Dr. Flynn has been very positive and rewarding.
-MK, Surrey BC
GENTLE AND EFFECTIVE
Very professional! Erin was able to fit me into her tight schedule. I have been to a few acupuncturists and Erin was the most gentle and most effective. I would highly recommend others to go see her, especially for girly stuff.
-Sarah, Vancouver (posted on Google Places)
MY ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENTS FOR INFERTILITY, THEN PREGNANCY
My husband and I started to try to conceive when I was 35 and after 2 years of trying, we had no idea why I wasn’t getting pregnant. After being tested at the fertility clinic, we were told our infertility issues were “unexplained”. I had a friend who was going to acupuncture treatments for fertility issues too, and I asked her about it. Up until then, I had never even considered acupuncture for anything. I met Erin in June 2009 and upon meeting her, her personal and caring approach made me comfortable with giving it a try. Getting weekly treatments did so many things for me. First, I felt a sense of “doing something”. Dealing with infertility is so difficult and frustrating, especially when the case is “unexplained”, as you have no idea what else you can be doing. After the consultation with Erin, I learned a bit about the principles of TCM and how acupuncture could help balance and prepare my body for pregnancy. Each week, I knew that in my appointment with Erin, I had someone who was checking in on me who knew my specific personal situation. She was so on top of everything; she knew what was going on with my cycles and what she was going to focus on each session. It was so comforting to know that I was working with someone who had many patients in similar situations as me, as going through infertility can be quite isolating. The one thing I appreciate the most about Erin is that she is the kind of person that is very easy to talk to, and I never felt self-conscious about discussing or asking anything. When my husband and I decided to give IVF a try, I had read that studies showed higher success rates when acupuncture is used in conjunction with it. I had the pre and post acupuncture treatments on the transfer day, and a couple of weeks later, we were overjoyed to find out I was pregnant. That was a big surprise considering the doctors really prepare you that it is common to go through a few cycles of IVF, and often it is not successful on the first attempt. After I was pregnant, It was still important to me to continue acupuncture treatments throughout my pregnancy and I continued my sessions with Erin. Again, it was so nice to have a supportive person like Erin who already knew me and my health issues and was able to, once again, use a safe form of treatment to help relieve some pregnancy–related issues, such as swelling and aches and pains, as well as mental wellness. I would highly recommend seeking Erin for acupuncture treatments as you will find someone who is professional, knowledgeable and compassionate toward your health issues. Thank you Erin for being part of my journey to start a family!
- JS, Vancouver
BEST IVF RESPONSE AFTER ACUPUNCTURE
Thank you, Erin!! I can never thank you enough for believing in me when all my fertility doctors told me that donor eggs or adoption was my best chance of being a mom! I had my best response to IVF after working with you, now I’m pregnant, and I know that acupuncture made all the difference! God Bless!!
-Name withheld, Vancouver
I RECOMMEND ERIN FOR YOUR FIRST TIME ACUPUNCTURE
Erin Flynn is a true professional and an incredibly caring person. I first started seeing her almost seven years ago to assist with stomach cramps, when she was still a student. After my first meeting with her I knew that it was an amazing gift that I had found her. Erin is so knowledgeable and a wonderful resource on issues, treatments and research related to women and all other health issues. Erin helped reduce my stomach pains and stress. She takes her time and really listens to your concerns and questions. Since then she has worked in a couple of different places – her office now is a quiet little haven in the middle of the city. Whenever I come into town, I always make a point to see her. If you have never tried acupuncture and always wanted to, she is the perfect choice for your first visit.
-Elizabeth Cisney, Portland OR (formerly of Vancouver, BC)
DOCTOR SAYS I’M HEALTHY, BUT I KEEP MISCARRYING
When I finally decided to try something different about it, I already had 2 miscarriages. After some tests my doctor told me to just keep trying because there was nothing “wrong”, but in my heart I didn’t think that was true. I started working with Erin in 2009. I was kind of disappointed to hear her recommend I shouldn’t even try to conceive for 3 months. She explained that my body and “spirit” needed time to recover (something my family doctor didn’t say), and that she wanted to improve my kidneys and improve my blood for a few months to get me ready. I thought the whole thing sounded kind of wierd, but I liked her, actually enjoyed the acupuncture treatments (but not the taste of the herbs, sorry but that is all part of the program), and decided to trust her. What did I have to lose? I waited 3 months to try to conceive again, and after 3 months of trying (and starting to get a little frustrated) we had a positive pregnancy test. I was so nervous I would miscarry again! I continued to see Erin every week for acupuncture in my first trimester, then every 2-3 weeks after that until just before labour when I saw her every week again. I am so happy to report that my daughter is now 6 months old! I can’t say for sure if it was the Chinese medicine or just my time to have a successful pregnancy. Either way, I know that my periods changed while I was being treated and I felt different and had more energy, so to me that says something. Thank you, Dr. Flynn!
-Wendy C., Vancouver
ACUPUNCTURE FOR MY BACK PAIN
I started seeing Erin a few months after I hurt my back at the gym. I was concerned about my back pain and sciatica; she seemed to be more concerned about the fact that I was sweating in my sleep and sometimes had to change my t-shirt. After the first acupuncture treatment I noticed a change – only my neck, instead of my whole chest and stomach were wet and my back actually felt a bit better the next day. After the next treatment the sweating had totally stopped. We worked for about 2 months on my back, and she gave me some herbal powder to mix with water and take at home in between treatments. And by the end of that time my back felt about 95 % better, and my sweating has completely stopped too. Thanks, Erin!
- Ann P., Vancouver