Liz Richards Acupuncture

09/01/09

Acupuncture for Infertility in Portland Oregon

by fertilestories

I always knew I wanted to have children. When I was a child myself I loved to care for younger kids and I just always imagined myself with a family. In January 2005 I became pregnant and my husband and I were thrilled. We read all the books and did all the things we were supposed to do. When I went in for an ultrasound to check a possible complication with my cervix the radiologist coldly told me something was wrong and gave me the number of a genetic counselor to call. At 12 weeks we learned our baby was not going to make it. At 14 weeks we lost her. I had a D & C (dilation and curettage) procedure. We waited the recommended amount of time to start trying again. We knew we wanted to have a baby. Every month I got my period I became more discouraged and disappointed. Our baby’s due date came and passed and still I was not pregnant. Making it through that due date was so hard. I was tracking my ovulation with ovulation sticks and with my morning temperature. I was charting everything. I had started seeing an MD because it seemed I was ovulating around the last day of my period at times and my cycle was completely unpredictable. One month I had a 40 day cycle, the next month a 27 day cycle. I had read so much about acupuncture and I started to talk about it with my husband. He searched the internet for someone in Oregon who had experience with families trying to conceive. Thank our lucky stars he found Liz.

Liz immediately created a routine that worked along with my medical treatments (progesterone) to regulate my cycle again and she also helped me change my diet and, best of all, relax! I loved the appointments. I felt so confident in Liz’s knowledge and skill that I could just go and rest and calm my body and mind. I started weekly treatments in early December and we were thrilled to learn I was pregnant again in February!

In my final trimester of that healthy pregnancy our baby was transverse breech and happy to be that way. I didn’t want to have the physical manipulation to move her and I hoped to avoid a C-section. Liz helped us again with moxa treatments. I actually saw baby turn that first night! She stayed head down and I had a normal delivery.

I found a path that worked for me through acupuncture and self-hypnosis/ deep relaxation techniques. I think the focus on a healthy mind and body contributed to the happy and calm spirits both of my kids have now! Best wishes!

• Pros: reliable and skilled
• Cons: Nope

Response from this business

lizrichards– September 01, 2009 at 17:30:14 PDT

Thank you so much for sharing your story. It will help many others. -Liz

09/01/09

Pregnant at 44

by gratefulsouls

I started trying to conceive my second child when I was 42. I didn’t seek medical intervention until I was 44. By this time, my FSH was 10. It fell to 6 when I took the fertility medicine Clomid. The doctors I consulted were willing to work with me, but they were careful not to raise my expectations. (I think I surprised them when I called to schedule a prenatal appointment!)

After two and a half months with no success on Clomid, I started wondering about other ways to boost my fertility. I didn’t have any experience with acupuncture, but I was intrigued by what I learned from the Blossom website. And when I called to schedule an initial consultation with Liz, she recommended two books: Fertility Wisdom by Angela C. Wu and the The Infertility Cure by Randine A. Lewis. Both of these books include truly inspirational examples of women my age (and older) who relied on Chinese Medicine to achieve successful, healthy pregnancies.

The advice I have to someone trying to conceive who is thinking of seeing Liz: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Western medicine tends to focus on statistics. Here is an example of one statistic I encountered when I was thinking about a second child: “A forty year old woman has a less than 10% chance of having a successful pregnancy using her own eggs.” My doctors also warned me about my elevated risk of miscarriage and chromosomal abnormalities. By contrast, Liz never gave me the sense that my efforts to conceive and carry a healthy baby were futile. She counseled me to make some changes in my diet, try herbal supplements, and come in for regular acupuncture sessions. Less than two months after my first appointment with Liz, I was pregnant. I am now solidly into my second trimester and expecting a healthy baby boy in January.

• Pros: trustworthy, encouraging
• Cons: NONE

Response from this business

lizrichards– September 01, 2009 at 17:31:09 PDT

Hi! So happy to hear that your pregnancy is strong. Many Blessings to You! -Liz

08/25/09

I 100% recommend Liz Richards!

by KimH2

I sought Liz's expertise after being diagnosed with an extremely elevated FSH at 38. My fertility doctor told me my chances of conceiving with my own eggs was less than 5%. I was shocked by this diagnosis as I had conceived a healthy baby girl just 1.5 years prior. Before looking to adoption or using donor eggs, I decided I wanted to give acupuncture and herbs a try. To my surprise, after seeing Liz for just 3 months, I became pregnant!! I'm now 5 months pregnant with another healthy baby girl. I found Liz to be incredibly intuitive, professional, body-wise and soothing. Please go see her if you're at all inclined- you won't be disappointed!

Response from this business

lizrichards– September 01, 2009 at 17:32:11 PDT

Thank you KimH2 for your review. It is always so nice to hear how people are doing!

xo

liz

02/15/09

I highly recommend Liz Richards!

by ShelleyVanRiper

Liz is a wonderful practitioner. She has a fantastic energy and a soothing presence. She is a fabulous Acupuncturist and connects with her clients at their comfort level. I, without a doubt, recommend her!

Response from this business

lizrichards– March 08, 2009 at 17:48:12 PDT

Thank you for your review. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

06/04/08

Can't imagine anyone better

by robinosaurus

I've seen Liz off and on over the years for general relaxation, allergies, insomnia, etc. I never expected infertility to befall me, but when it did I was thrilled to see Liz on my RE's list of recommended acupuncture practitioners. I called for an appointment right away and saw her at least once a week before and during my IVF cycle. Those weekly visits gave me a chance to clear my head and refocus in the middle of a stressful and emotional process. Liz helped to make our transfer day a relaxing, positive, spiritual experience and I wouldn't have wanted to do it without her. I just received a positive result on beta #1 and I don't know that we would have had the same result without her. I look forward to peaceful hours with Liz throughout my pregnancy.

Response from this business

lizrichards– March 08, 2009 at 18:26:45 PDT

Congratulations on your birth. Please send me pictures again soon. xoxo

01/20/08

BEST IN PORTLAND

by behealthy

I have seen Liz for a month now and I am convinced that she is the best in Portland for Women's Health issues. Just read the reviews below and you will see what I mean. I agree 100%. Thanks Liz for everything!

• Pros: Great customer service, great location and atmosphere

Response from this business

lizrichards– September 01, 2009 at 17:32:45 PDT

Thank YOU!

01/08/08

A Happy Ending

by becsullivan

I sought out Liz after I was diagnosed with high FSH and told I would very likely never conceive another child. I was told I had a 1% chance of conceiving naturally. After weighing our options, we decided to forgo the medical route, pursue natural alternatives and pray for a miracle. Liz put me on a weekly treatment plan that included acupuncture and herbs. She also counseled me on diet and lifestyle changes to boost nutrition and create a more ?nurturing? environment for conception and also recommended books I should read for additional insight. Along the way, I radically changed my diet and quit a demanding job. Ten months after first contacting Liz, our prayers were answered when I conceived 100% naturally. I?m now in my 4th month. Hope is an essential ingredient, and Liz's unfailing support always made me feel that this pregnancy was possible.

Response from this business

lizrichards– September 01, 2009 at 17:33:39 PDT

Thank you so much for your review. I hope you are all well and happy. xoxo liz

12/04/07

great acupuncture experience, great results

by angelagm

I credit Liz for my long-awaited pregnancy. I went to her while taking a break from IUI/Chlomid, and got pregnant that cycle! She was very easy-going, understanding, and capable. She knows what she's doing and she's very good at it. I would recommend her to highly. I now have a lovely 7.5 month old boy.

• Pros: atmosphere

Response from this business

lizrichards– September 01, 2009 at 17:34:32 PDT

Thank you for coming to citysearch and taking the time to write a review :)

liz

11/28/07

Liz + Acupuncture + Empathy + Support = Baby

by rcarro

Liz was wonderful in helping me through my fertility issues. She was very knowledgeable, supportive and always there to lend a shoulder to cry on during this very stressful period of my life. I'm lucky to say that I now have a beautiful, healthly little boy that has made all my dreams come true.

She is also very flexible with her schedule and will make time to be there for your IVF/IUI transfers working with the clinics schedule.

• Pros: ambience, staff, parking

Response from this business

lizrichards– September 01, 2009 at 17:35:25 PDT

Thanks for your review. I hope you and your sweet boy are well.

xo

liz

Editorial Review

by Contributor

Holistic health practitioner, Liz Richards, specializes in women's fertility concerns, as well as Chinese medicine and smoking cessation exercises.

Response from this business

lizrichards– September 01, 2009 at 17:37:24 PDT

Yes, I treat all Women's Health concerns using acupuncture, massage, nutrition and herbs in Portland, Oregon at Blossom Clinic. Not doing much Smoking Cessation these days. Thank you for the editorial review.