The Benefits of Seeing a Naturopathic Doctor

Honestly, I don’t even know where to begin.  As most of you know, I had a miscarriage a couple of years ago after several years of infertility.  My fertility doctors were perfectly fine with ushering me back through weeks and months of expensive fertility treatments.  I felt like a number.  In my heart, I knew that there was something else wrong.

Well, my friends, after months of tests I finally have answers.  I feel like I finally have clarity.  I have a plan in place now that will hopefully end in better health, pregnancy, and a healthy baby.

But, I wouldn’t have reached this place in my journey if I hadn’t taken the plunge and made an appointment with a naturopathic doctor.  Seeing a naturopathic doctor has, quite literally, changed my life.  And, I’d love to share with you why…

After my miscarriage, I spent several months grieving and resting even though my fertility doctors were fine with me coming back right away to try again.  I didn’t feel comfortable with that.  There was that little small voice saying “no, take your time”.  And, I don’t know about you, but I’ve learned to listen to that voice.

When I finally decided to try again, I drove myself to the fertility office early in the morning for the usual mid-cycle vaginal ultrasound that was oh so pleasant.  I sat in my car deep breathing, dreaming of the beach, listening to empowering songs….just trying to psych myself up enough to walk into that place.

When I finally mustered up the “cahoneys”, I waltzed in there, had my ultrasound, and was swiftly told, “you have ovarian cysts, come back next month”.  I bolted out of there.  I couldn’t wait to get back to my car.  I just wasn’t ready.

I should have been more bothered by the ovarian cysts, but instead I once again heard that soft voice saying “it’s not the right time”.  I felt ok about it.  Went home, and crawled back into bed.

I never went back.

Months and years went on, and I spent that time searching for other alternatives to getting pregnant.  I tried different methods, diets, and workouts.  But, I still felt sick.

Then, a few months ago, a co-worker and fellow nurse at the hospital told me about her visit with a naturopathic doctor.  The appointment sounded very promising.  I felt a nudge in that direction, and thankfully I listened.

So, finally after months of testing (stool, saliva, blood….you name it, I gave it!) I had my followup visit with my naturopathic doctor.

Friends, I am so encouraged and enlightened after this appointment.  How often does that happen after seeing a physician?  I learned more in one 30 minute follow-up appointment about my health, than I have probably my entire life.  Suddenly I had answers and solutions to why I

* have irregular cycles, weight gain, headaches, fatigue, muscle/joint pain, etc

* haven’t been able to get pregnant

* & possibly the reason my first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage.

Here is why seeing a naturopathic doctor is different, and in my opinion an absolute must if you are also experiencing infertility, weight gain, overall “bad health”, or just feel like there’s something not right with your body.

Naturopathic Doctors Look At The Entire Picture

My first appointment with my Naturopathic Doctor included a thorough medical history questionnaire and exam.  She asked a lot of questions and wasn’t rushed.  It was a completely different experience from “normal” doctors appointments I’d had in the passed.

After she did the usual physical exam, she sat with me and discussed several things she thought I could work on to improve my health.  The vast knowledge I received was unbelievable.

She ordered several tests including blood tests, stool tests, and saliva tests.  All of these various specimens helped her piece together a picture of my health.  And, on my follow-up visit, she reviewed all the results with me.

What I have loved about this experience, is that she looked at the entire picture of my health.  She looked at my gut health, my cortisol levels in my saliva, my sleep patterns which was also tested in my saliva, my micronutrient deficiencies in my blood, and much much more.

I feel like I walk out of my appointments feeling empowered to take control of my own health and life.  The body really can heal itself, folks.  I wholeheartedly believe that!

Naturopathic Doctors Focus On Correcting the Underlying Health Problem Instead of Masking It With Medicine

My doctor found some reasons for my infertility that no other doctor had discovered, not even my reproductive endocrinologist.  Through a blood test, she was able to diagnose me with MTHFR which is a clotting disorder.  Many hopeful moms with MTHFR don’t realize they have it until they experience several miscarriages.  I’m so thankful that I got my diagnosis before having to mourn more angel babies.

She explained that MTHFR patients are not able to metabolize certain vitamins and minerals which cause our livers to become “backed up” causing a toxic environment in our systems.  This explains why I had been feeling so cruddy over the past few months.  It also causes a decreased immune system, making our bodies more susceptible to latent viruses and illnesses…which would also explain my sudden case of shingles a couple of Christmases ago.

I’ve also learned that with MTHFR, I cannot metabolize folic acid which is in every typical prenatal vitamin.  Doctors usually preach to women trying to get pregnant to take high doses of folic acid to decrease the chances of future babies having neural tube defects like spina bifida.  With MTHFR, the folic acid just builds up in my body and isn’t helpful to me or a future baby.  Instead, I have to take the natural form of folic acid, called folate.  I also have to increase my B vitamins in different forms so that my body can metabolize them easier.

As a Mother-Baby nurse, I have takes care of moms with MTHFR alot, but had never really understood it.  Those moms usually need baby aspirin or other blood thinners during their pregnancies to prevent the body from clotting and therefore killing the baby.  That I knew, but I had no idea that it entailed so much more.

I walked out of that follow-up appointment kind of stunned.  If I had never taken the plunge, and gone to see my naturopathic doctor, I would have never learned all of this about my body.

I love that she is treating my whole body, down to the cellular level.  Because my goal isn’t just to get pregnant and have a healthy baby, but it is also to be a happy, healthy mom, wife, daughter, sister, and friend.  And, thank goodness, I’m finally on the right path.

Naturopathic Doctors Suggest Alternative Therapies

So, not only has my doctor suggested various supplements and diet changes, she also suggested alternative therapies to help me get healthier that I’m super excited about.

My very first acupuncture appointment was today.  My naturopathic doctor suggested acupuncture for infertility, and I was a little reluctant to go.  I was nervous I’d feel like a pin cushion and that it would be really uncomfortable.  But, it was quite the opposite.  I found it relaxing, actually.  I can’t wait to share more of my acupuncture journey with you.

She also suggested massage, mindfulness retreats, practicing yoga, & saunas and dry brushing for inflammation and toxicity.

So often we go to the doctor with a new medical issue or complaint, and we’re given a medication, and the appointment is done.  And, that’s ok if you have a sinus infection and need a z-pack.  But, what I’m really appreciating from the naturopathic experience is that she’s not just handing me clomid, for instance, and sending me on my way to hopefully get pregnant.  Been there, done that. And, it didn’t work.

I love that there are other options and therapies to try, besides loading my body up with more drugs.

So, if you’ve been debating whether or not to see a Naturopathic Doctor or Practitioner, and wondering if it’s worth it or not, it most definitely is.  I cannot express to you enough how thankful I am I made my appointment.  I’ve learned so much already, and I’ve just begun.  I feel like I’m in charge of my health and my fertility, and feel hopeful again that I can get pregnant and have a baby.

Naturopathic Doctors look at the entire picture of your health, focus on healing the underlying issues, and are well versed in alternative therapies and medicines.

To find a Naturopathic Doctor near you, click here!

So, what do you say?  Are you ready and willing to jump into a wellness journey with me?  I hope so!  I can’t wait to share more of our fertility journey with you.  Where are you at on your path to better health? Are you hopeful to have a baby, or are you focused on just feeling better and getting answers?  I’d love to hear your story too!

Until next time, have a happy, healthy day!