Day in the Life, Greater Port Macquarie Focus Magazine, February 2016
Today, approximately 1 in 5 couples struggle with fertility. As infertility rates increase, acupuncture is becoming more popular as a safe, natural and drug-free alternative for couples.
Ivana Moudry, Clinical Director of the Centre for Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, has spent the past 17 years providing treatments to help couples conceive, supporting women through pregnancy and in preparation for labour, and aiding post-natal recovery.
Used traditionally for thousands of years, acupuncture is relatively new to the western world. Involving the gentle use of thin, disposable sterile needles at strategic points near the surface of the body, acupuncture can increase fertility by reducing stress, increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs and balancing the endocrine system.
“I have always felt very passionate about being able to help people whose deepest desire is to welcome a healthy child into their lives,” Ivana said.
Ivana began her Traditional Chinese Medicine career in 1998. She studied a four year bachelor degree and then another four years at the Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Canada to become a Doctor of Chinese Medicine. She then went on to complete extensive post graduate training in gynaecology, reproductive health and paediatrics.
“In addition to the learned skills, it is important to have true passion, commitment, sensitivity, as well as empathy and compassion. The job entails many things, from being a diagnostician, practitioner, business owner, counsellor, and providing a safe place where people can discuss their private issues in confidence.”
The clients who visit Ivana about fertility issues have often been trying to fall pregnant for a long time and regard treatment as a last resort. “They are already emotionally exhausted, and have spent a lot of money on other options or procedures.”
Many of Ivana’s days are filled with extreme joy and happiness. “One couple came to me for preconception treatments prior to starting on IVF with ICSI and donor eggs. Several months into the treatment they discovered they had fallen pregnant naturally – and now I treat their little girl.”
Working with fertility issues can be an emotionally charged field of medicine. “The hardest part of my job is looking into the sad faces of women who come in distraught that they did not achieve a pregnancy this cycle.”
Ivana keeps centred and energised by beginning each day with meditation and gentle exercise.
After living in the Czech Republic, West Germany, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand and Canada, Ivana chose to settle into the slower pace of Port Macquarie in 2006.
“The people of the Hastings are some of the nicest people I have met. For clients who have come in with a positive pregnancy result, or are in the final stages of waiting to welcome their baby into the world, I feel privileged to be a part of their journey.”
Over the coming months Ivana will be expanding her practice to provide a complete natural health centre catering to women and children. The practice will offer labour preparation classes for couples, fertility workshops, meditation, yoga and more. For information call 6582 7906.