Fertile Ground was part of my attempt to optimize everything possible in order to have a successful round of IVF and ultimately a healthy pregnancy. I underwent several rounds of retrievals under different protocols in hopes of batching multiple embryos.  The unfortunate result was 1-2 follicles per cycle with no embryos to freeze.

I heard and researched the potential benefits of acupuncture and subsequently turned to Fertile Ground in hopes of improving my odds of success. As a staunch believer and provider of Western/allopathic medicine, I had initial reservations regarding the practice of acupuncture and its efficacy.

My first appointment at Fertile Ground with Lauren changed my perspective.  She was equally versed in the current practice/protocols to treat infertility as well as an expert in her practice of holistic medicine.  She made me feel that she "understood" a side of this journey and effectively calmed all of my "questions, fears, hesitations." Weekly acupuncture sessions became one of the only places that I felt my mind and body truly relax.  I felt that I was doing something that was actively contributing to my chances of success.

After a few appointments I also noted changes to my menstrual cycle that hadn't been present in years. Belief and buy-in is important but clear, visible results are another. Fertile Ground gave me both. Lauren and Kara guided me through the waves of infertility with laughter, hope, honesty, expertise, positivity and a space to release with no judgment. I now am pregnant and feel a lot of it is due to Lauren and Kara. —A.B., Edina, MN

It seems like another lifetime ago when I was scouring the internet looking for a place to try acupuncture. We had been struggling with infertility due to PCOS and nothing seemed to be working.

I had made many healthy upgrades to my life and had researched high and low to find the “smoking gun” that would solve my fertility woes. Over and over I read that acupuncture had proven time and time again to be a great help to women struggling with PCOS, absent, or irregular menstrual cycles, and even to assist IUI or IVF cycles. I was NOT a fan of needles and had never stepped into the “Eastern” medicine side. But, the slew of evidence and my determination to heal myself caused me to start to search out an acupuncturist. I had no idea at the time how that one decision would change my world! I took a chance on Fertile Ground.

I still remember my astonishment as I sat down with Kara for our first meeting together. Before ever getting onto the table for the actual acupuncture treatment, Kara went extensively over my health history. She was concerned about every single part of my health and I began to learn that in contrast to Western medicine, in Eastern medicine there is a core belief that you must treat the PERSON, the WHOLE person, not just the one symptom (aka infertility) you want to treat. I started to see Kara on a very regular basis and I saw many aspects of my health start to turn around. I saw cycles, that had been completely absent, return. For me, I found much more then treatment for infertility at Fertile Ground.

I found a safe place that cared for me as a woman and as a person. I found people that understood the intensely difficult journey it is. People who understood my desire to have a child and would listen to and help me through every aspect of what I was experiencing. I don’t think I can quite explain to any extent the rarity of true support. What a blessing it was to find a place full of people that will help you through the sad times and celebrate each step forward. I could go on for days and days about the Infertility, Prenatal, and Postnatal support I received at Fertile Ground, but all I can really say is for any woman reading this wondering if you should take the chance like I was…give Fertile Ground a try. I promise the women there will extend their arms to you wherever you are at in your journey. You will not be sorry. —K.L., Minnetonka, MN

Emma naturally holds beautiful space in a session. Her combined knowledge of energy work through acupuncture and her connection with Reiki, allowed for me to deeply relax, release blocks and feel refreshed. -E.H., Minneapolis, MN

I have been seeing Kara at Fertile Ground Natural Care since November of 2012. She has been the steady loving force supporting my fertility journey all these years. Working with Kara to support my overall health through my fertility journey and beyond has been a great blessing in my life. Throughout my years of fertility treatment Kara provided care for both myself and my husband. She provided me with strategies about how to manage the stress and grief of those times with breathing techniques, visualizations and guided meditations. Kara provided care for both my physical and emotional health. She was at the clinic for the transfer of my embryos for my IVF cycle and did acupuncture to support the implantation of those embryos. I now have an amazing almost two year old daughter and continue to see Kara at least once a month. As I reflect on my fertility journey, I hold Kara dear to my heart and believe that her presence was essential to my success. —A.Z., Minneapolis, MN

The dream to become a mother is incredibly powerful and when one adds infertility into the equation it becomes one of the hardest things a person may pursue in their lifetime. I am a physician and I am a person who had always relied on Western medicine as my basis for healing. I was not aware or sure of the Eastern medicine tools to healing and infertility. Through my journey to become a mother I met with Kara for acupuncture. The treatments as well as her advice on health, nutrition, and well-being helped me to be more relaxed, more forgiving, and more compassionate during a very trying time. I am pleased to admit that the acupuncture and the words of wisdom that I received from Kara did indeed help me then as well as now in my new life as a mother of a 10 month old. Kara —-thank you for being there!!! —S.K., Minneapolis, MN

My husband was diagnosed with low sperm motility and low fertilization rates. I had a luteal phase defect and we had been trying to get pregnant for over three years. Before starting treatment with Kara we had done a few cycles with Clomid, gotten pregnant, but had an early miscarriage. After working with Kara for six months and my husband for three months we got pregnant. I was of course nervous, but the pregnancy went well and I now we have a healthy one year old daughter. Thank you Kara! —J.H., Cannon Falls, MN

I have had the privilege of being treated by Sophia Bouwens and I have been a believer in acupuncture ever since. What Sophia offers the people she treats is nothing short of her whole heart, spot on intuition, emotional discernment as well as her brilliant treatment and a plan that is specific to your needs. I could tell immediately that she is highly educated and intensely passionate about caring for others. She is a light and has a calming presence about her. She treated me on a spectrum of things from anxiety to gut health, joint pain to emotional stress and in every instance I left her treatments feeling like I had been set on a path of healing. My body started responding in ways I thought were not possible. She is intentional, thorough and committed to seeing her patients healed. My life has been set on a better path because of her and I hope yours will be too. —S.W., Minneapolis, MN

Before working with Kara, I had been through a lot of testing, doctors and no explanation as to why I couldn't get pregnant. Kara helped me to get into a more balanced state and to listen to my body and its needs. I now have beautiful twin boys and I have Kara to thank for them. —N.L., Shakopee, MN

Thanks for everything - you truly helped put me at ease with the embryo transfer, and I believe you helped the little guy decide to implant and stay around. S.L. New Orleans, LA I think that Kara had a huge impact on everything working this time. I so enjoyed my sessions with her and she kept me so relaxed and positive. She is truly an amazing person and I'm not sure if the IVF would have worked if she would not have been part of the picture. —J.S. St. Cloud, MN

I started seeing Lauren at Fertile Ground at the beginning of our journey to get pregnant. My acupuncture sessions with Lauren bring me comfort, stability and positive energy. Lauren is compassionate and incredibly knowledgable. Within months of starting acupuncture and following Lauren's advice, my husband and I conceived. I continue to see Lauren throughout my pregnancy and am a strong advocate of acupuncture for women's health- whether for fertility, prenatal support, or general reproductive health. Fertile Ground is a sanctuary for women who seek a compassionate and holistic approach to their wellbeing. —S.B., Minneapolis, MN

I have seen Jess throughout my fertility journey, both while trying to conceive and throughout pregnancy on a regular basis. She is a very intuitive and attentive body worker. She followed my cycles and the different stages of my pregnancy in order to appropriately treat me. She concentrated on specific muscle groups that I brought to her attention, as well as others that she identified based on my symptoms and tissue feel from week to week. Jess skillfully uses a number of body work techniques in order to provide the best client experience. I would highly recommend integrating body work with Jess into your self-care regimen. —A.B., Minneapolis, MN

I highly recommend bodywork with Jess; she provides great expertise and has a very caring nature! I've found the bodywork to be a wonderful compliment to my acupuncture and herb treatments. It is beneficial to my health, as well as extremely relaxing! —K.D., MN

Thanks for everything - you truly helped put me at ease with the embryo transfer, and I believe you helped the little guy decide to implant and stay around.  —S.L., New Orleans, LA

I highly recommend bodywork with Jess; she provides great expertise and has a very caring nature! I've found the bodywork to be a wonderful compliment to my acupuncture and herb treatments. It is beneficial to my health, as well as extremely relaxing! —K.D., Minneapolis MN

From age 37-41, I struggled with infertility due to high FSH and low ovarian reserve. We sought mini-IVF treatments/embryo freezing and banking, and wanted to complement this with acupuncture to ensure success and provide the best possible environment for our embryos to grow. Lauren was extremely supportive of our endeavor to have a baby against these odds and very encouraging. She provided me with a very detailed diagnosis along with nutritional information to support optimal fertility. After storing several embryos and receiving acupuncture treatments from Lauren for a year, when it came time to do our first transfer we got pregnant on the first try! (not mention that during the year we banked embryos and sought acupuncture treatments, we were able to freeze 5 high quality embryos...almost unheard of when your FSH is frequently in the 30s.) I have seen several acupuncturists over the years to treat infertility, but Lauren is by far the most compassionate, caring, and knowledgeable about fertility issues. Lauren takes the time to listen to you and thoroughly answer any question you might have. While at the other places I went to I felt rushed in and out from treatments, with Lauren I had the exact opposite experience. I appreciated this attention because infertility is extremely difficult and emotional, and I always felt so supported by Lauren. My husband and I very grateful to her! —M.H., Bloomington, MN

I think that Kara had a huge impact on everything working this time. I so enjoyed my sessions with her and she kept me so relaxed and positive. She is truly an amazing person and I”m not sure if the IVF would have worked if she would not have been part of the picture. —S.J., St. Cloud, MN