In my early twenties, I was diagnosed with PCOS and an under active thyroid. The GP advised that I would find it difficult to conceive naturally, I was heartbroken. For as long as I can remember I have always wanted a big family. I was preoccupied by college and travel for a few years but the idea that I might not be able to have children of my own was never too far from my mind.
In my late twenties I met Stephen and knew that he was the man I wanted to settle down with. Four months into our relationship I found myself telling him that I might not be able to have children. While he never made an issue of it I always felt guilty that I might deprive him the opportunity of being a father.
Three years later, I convinced Stephen that we should start trying for a baby. I stopped taking the pill and we waited to see what would happen. My periods were very light and erratic, my cycles varied from forty five to sixty days. After about 8 months I visited my GP. She prescribed metformin daily to 1500 mg. It left me feeling dizzy and faint at times with stomach pains and nausea. I would have happily endured all of this, if it meant a regular cycle and a step closer to conceiving. However, there was no improvement. I was then prescribed clomid, three cycles later and still no viable follicles.
I made an appointment with Siobhán on recommendation from a friend. I was very sceptical at first but with the hope of conceiving fading, I decided we had nothing to lose and I was willing to try anything.
A visit to Siobhán on the 11th December 2016 changed our lives forever. Siobhán told me that there was no reason why I wouldn't conceive naturally, she even hinted that it probably wouldn't take very long. This contradicted all the medical advice I had received in the ten years prior to my visit. Siobhán examined my tongue and I was immediately blown away by how much information she had learned. I left that day with Chinese herbs, a list of supplements to take and a renewed sense of hope.
Over the next few months I drank the raw herbs, took the supplements and ate a healthy diet. Stephen and I trained for a 5 km race together and I listened to some mediation CD's in the car on my way to and from work. It was following our first visit to Siobhán that I realised how stressed and anxious I was about work and trying to save to buy a house. Stress probably played as much a role as PCOS and my under active thyroid in preventing us to conceive.
I visited Siobhán twice more, in January and February and followed her advice closely. I felt better than I had in a very long time. Not only was my cycle shorter, my blood was a bright red and my overall mood had improved.
We were elated and surprised when I tested positive in March! Our joy quickly turned to despair as I began spotting and light bleeding the next day. I immediately contacted Siobhán and she told me to come down straight away. It was the longest car journey of my life, I cried and prayed the whole way that my baby would hold on. As I had become pregnant so quickly, Siobhán did some acupuncture and gave me some herbs to strengthen the lining of the uterus and to hold on to the pregnancy. I took a week off work and tried to relax.
It was an agonising few weeks but the spotting eventually stopped. I firmly believe that Siobhán's treatment plan saved our baby girl's life. I sailed through the rest of the pregnancy, enjoying every moment! In November, 2017 I gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl. Labour lasted only two and a half hours and my body quickly recovered.
If you are reading this you are perhaps feeling the same heartache I was having on my first visit to Siobhán. I hope that I have given you some reassurance and comfort. Siobhán is a miracle worker and we can never thank her enough. When we are ready to try for baby number two she will be the first person I call!
Tara - Co. Tipperary,
Nov 2017