UH Connor Whole Health using acupuncture to improve pregnancy success

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) -The stress of trying to have a baby can take a toll on a woman physically and emotionally. Many women struggle for years. But there’s an approach to conception, successfully carrying a baby, and even postpartum that is really working for patients at University Hospital’s Connor Whole Health.

Not long ago the idea of a family of four seemed out of reach for Katie Collins.

After she got pregnant and had her first child without any complications she suffered a pair of late-stage miscarriages.

“I kind of thought once I got past the first trimester we were good to go. I couldn’t really figure out what was wrong. My husband and I we were so sad and I didn’t think I could do that again,” said Collins.

In the first few weeks of another delicate pregnancy, Katie enlisted the help of her doctors and the team at University Hospitals Connor Whole Health in Beachwood which focuses on wellness before and during pregnancy through integrative therapies, like nutrition, exercise, stress management, and acupuncture.

“It was a week-by-week approach, like’ Okay, we made it to this week.’ There never felt like there was a safe point. Every time I went to the doctor, you know, was there going to be a heartbeat?” she said.

So to bolster her chances at success, Katie started acupuncture.

Christine Kaiser is the Connor Endowed Director of Reproductive Well-being. She says any woman trying to get pregnant can benefit from changes in their lifestyle.

“Eating healthier, getting better sleep, managing their stress, exercising more, and all of those things we talk about at Connor Whole Health, but specifically women that might be struggling to get pregnant or have had pregnancy losses will want to work on optimizing their health before their next conception,” said Kaiser.

During the sessions, Kaiser says the acupuncture therapy stimulates the body, creating positive changes.

“So we’re looking for changes like improved blood flow to the reproductive organs so that they can work better, improved relaxation of the nervous system. We want to try and switch to that parasympathetic state which is where we rest, digest, heal, and relax,” she said.

“It felt like it was that extra thing that I was doing to give my body the all the help that it could that it could get,” said Collins.

After the sessions Katie said she slept better, her digestive system was on track, and her stress and anxiety lessened.

“If I was having hip pain that seemed to be better. If I had a cold that went away faster.” Collins said.

She says she’s a believer in this whole health approach to conception and pregnancy.

“It just felt like I had just like a really awesome teammate in my corner that was gonna be there for me, hopefully with a successful outcome,” said Collins.

“Surprisingly acupuncture is very relaxing. Most of my patients take a nap and feel very happy and relaxed when we’re done with the session,” Kaiser said.

“I’m not afraid of needles and I’m definitely not afraid of trying something new. And so I thought, you know, let’s give it a try and it didn’t hurt,” she said.

Katie says now, after the birth of her baby girl Kit, her family is complete.

“I think she’s a miracle. I think both my children are miracles in a way that maybe I didn’t I appreciate before,” she said.

The team at UH Connor Whole Health says the benefits of acupuncture extend to postpartum patients as well, supporting breastfeeding issues, stress and sleep concerns, and post-operative care after a cesarean.