Infertility - Female

"Our journey to become parents began 8 years ago when my husband and I got married. Because of both our age and my history of irregular periods we did not wait to try to conceive. After a year of trying naturally, my ob/gyn had us try clomid for about 6 cycles with no success. We were then referred to fertility doctors where we spent the next 6 years undergoing various treatments such as IUI’s and Invitro Fetilization (IVF). Fortunately within that time we were successful with an Invitro attempt and conceived and gave birth to our son. In an attempt to give our son a sibling we continued the invasive treatments, which resulted in 2 miscarriages and the loss of a son who had a genetic disorder. Devastated, sad, angry, stressed, and desperate, I began to research alternative options and found Joanna Fortune at her clinic Fortune Fertility. Growing up in a family full of medical doctors, I was reluctant that acupuncture and supplements could really help but felt that if nothing else I could try to detoxify myself from the past years worth of fertility drugs I had taken and possibly find some relaxation to help with all the stress of the past several years. During our first consultation with Joanna I immediately felt a sense of calm that I had not felt in years. Joanna explained certain things about the deficiencies I had and that we were going to try to put my body back in balance and then ultimately try to conceive. I spent the next 4 months working with Joanna by having weekly acupuncture sessions, charting my cycles, taking supplements and drinking Chinese tea. To my complete surprise into the fourth month of going to Joanna I discovered I was pregnant. I am currently 24 weeks pregnant.  I have had several tests and ultrasounds that show everything is going well with a healthy baby. After several years, thousands of dollars, disappointments, tragedy and tears, Joanna’s method of acupuncture and supplements helped me to conceive. There are no words to express my gratitude to Joanna.  I am a firm believer that God brings people into your life when you need them most.  Joanna is one of those people. She has the compassion and skill to help people achieve their goals of becoming parents. Although acupuncture and supplements became a last resort for us, in my opinion and experience it should be the first resource for any couple struggling to conceive and have a healthy baby. We will forever be grateful to Joanna for who she is and what she does.” - Amy C., Gibsonia, PA

Infertility - Female

“I am a 35-yr-old mother blessed with a beautiful 4 ½-yr-old daughter. I suffered with the disappointment, stress, anxiety, and sadness from Secondary Infertility for over 3 yrs while trying to conceive a second child.  After trying for a year on my own and numerous visits to my ob/gyn, I was prescribed Clomid. After 3 months on Clomid I conceived. At 10 wks my pregnancy ended in miscarriage. The baby had Turner Syndrome, a chromosomal disorder. Soon after my miscarriage I went to see a popular infertility doctor in the Pgh area. Again after numerous visits I was finally diagnosed as having some form of PCOS. I ovulated irregularly and always have had long cycles lasting 33+ days. I did not have many of the common PCOS symptoms. The changes in my blood work were so slight that it was easy for doctors to misdiagnose my condition. The infertility doctor could only offer me IUI or IVF as options for treatment. I had concerns about taking the powerful fertility drugs associated with these forms of treatment and like many others my insurance did not cover these costly infertility procedures. Every month I battled with the disappointment and anxiety of unsuccessfully conceiving and wondering whether or not I should give in and try IVF. I felt like there had to be some other solution that conventional medicine wasn’t offering me. I began to research acupuncture on-line and after reading the success rate for infertility was 70% with acupuncture, as opposed to the 40% with IVF, I began my search for an acupuncturist in the Pgh area. On my own I found Joanna and the Fortune Fertility & Acupuncture Center. I have to admit that when I initially met with Joanna I was still a bit skeptical about Chinese medicine and whether it could really help my condition, but Joanna quickly eased my fears. Joanna herself has dealt with infertility and was compassionate towards me. She understood what I was feeling, is extremely knowledgeable regarding infertility, and was truly interested in helping me. I figured at the very least acupuncture would help me to relieve much of the stress I was going through. I spent the next 4 months working with Joanna by having weekly acupuncture sessions, charting my cycles, and drinking Chinese tea. By the second month I was ovulating regularly, this continued into the third month. To my complete surprise into the fourth month of going to Joanna I discovered I was pregnant. I am currently 19 weeks pregnant. I have had several tests and ultrasounds that show everything is going well with my pregnancy. I can’t thank Joanna enough for helping me to conceive. She is truly amazing. I wish I would have found Joanna years ago. I tell everyone I know who struggles with infertility to try acupuncture first and to stick with it for several months. I also recommend the book “Making Babies”, which explains how eastern medicine can help resolve many causes of infertility. I know western infertility treatments have worked for many families, but in my heart I feel like this has also become a big business for western infertility doctors. My husband, daughter and I are so excited to welcome our new baby in February. I thank god for leading me to Joanna.” - Traci B., Mars, PA  

Infertility - Female

"I am a 41-year-old female with a 1 ½ year old toddler. For 10 months I tried to get pregnant again with a second child. On the 4th month of attempting to conceive, I had an early miscarriage. I continued trying on my own for another 6 months without conception success until I met Joanna. From what Joanna diagnosed, I was estrogen deficient. My estrogen deficiency was causing deficient heat (hot flashes), shortened periods (two days in length) with very little blood, and early - immature ovulation. Through acupuncture and Chinese herbs I was able to increase my estrogen levels enough to conceive on the third month of treatment with Joanna. I am now 15 weeks into a successful pregnancy and looking forward to my second child. I can’t explain how thrilled I am with the success of Joanna’s treatments. I am thankful to her for this new addition to our family.” - Ann H., Gibsonia, PA

Infertility - Female

"I am a 33 year old female with one child. My first child was conceived very easily and I was surprised with secondary infertility. My husband and I had been trying to have a second baby for 2.5 years. After a year of trying on our own our OBGYN referred us to an infertility doctor. From there I began taking Clomid for five cycles with IUIs. None of this worked for me. The infertility doctor suggested that we go forward with IVF. I had serious reservations about this because the doctor couldn't tell me definitively why the Clomid and IUIs did not work. I did not have confidence that an even more invasive (and costly) procedure would have a different ending. At this time I really felt lost and wanted to give my body and mind a break. It was then that I happened to run into a coworker and she mentioned her own infertility issues and her success story with acupuncture and Joanna Fortune. She recommended that I speak with Joanna. For the first three months Joanna worked on getting my body balanced and at the levels that I needed to be at to conceive. I saw Joanna for weekly acupuncture, charted my cycles, and drank Chinese tea. I never felt better! I got pregnant on the sixth month of working with Joanna. I am currently 17 weeks pregnant and all of my tests look great. I cannot thank her enough for helping me. I know that I am blessed with this baby because of her great work. My honest advice would be to seek out acupuncture (and Joanna) before you begin any other treatment.” - Jess, Pittsburgh, PA

Infertility - Female

"I am a 29 year old female with a history of irregular cycles. I was told by my OB/GYN that my husband and I would have to try to conceive naturally for 12 months before getting the label 'infertile' and begin the testing and treatment process from there. I was frustrated with having to wait that long so I started seeing Joanna at Fortune Fertility and Acupuncture Center. During my weekly sessions Joanna was extremely patient and knowledgeable. I had a lot of questions and fears that she addressed with great caring and calmness. And when I had questions in between visits, she was prompt in returning my emails. I was able to go off every prescription medication I had been on and followed her regimen of basal body temperature chart, tinctures, tea and supplements. It wasn't always easy, but I was willing to do anything for the result. I found the acupuncture treatments to be relaxing and a time for me to center my mind with my body - I even fell asleep several times in the wonderful atmosphere Joanna created. Before 3 months went by I found out I was pregnant. So far everyone is healthy and normal. I will be forever grateful to Joanna for helping me, physically and emotionally, to become pregnant for the first time. Fortune Fertility and Acupuncture Center is a place I would recommend to my family and friends as the first place to go when trying to start a family." - Kate S., Pittsburgh, PA

Infertility - Female

"Dear Joanna and Richard, I just want to thank you so much for the wonderful care you have provided me...thank you so much for giving me the help I needed to have a baby of my own. There is nothing in the world better than that! I could never fully express my gratitude in words. You both are excellent at what you do, and I was so lucky to find you! I have recommended you to many people already, and I will continue to do so. Miss Keely says thank you as well!! Thanks again! Love -" - Jess M., Pittsburgh, PA

Infertility - Female

"I want to thank you for all you have done for me. I think this pregnancy worked because of you! I truly believe this baby is because of your care and help to me. I cannot express in words how much I appreciate and am thankful for your help. You touched my life and forever I will be grateful for you." - Renee C., Pittsburgh, PA

Infertility - Female

"Thank you for your help in having a healthy baby boy. I'm glad that I did my research when I wasn't getting pregnant on my own at 38 yrs old. I was diagnosed with PCOS by Joanna and my fertility doctor. I decided not to go the route of Clomid and to work with Joanna. I believe that I got pregnant due to a combination of working with Joanna and the Hysterosalpinogram test done. Joanna helped me through my entire 1st trimester which is a critical time when you have PCOS. I'm thankful that my son was born healthy and full term. Thanks." - Jill C., Wexford, PA

Infertility - Female

"Dear Joanna, Thank you for your knowledge and expertise of fertility through acupuncture and Eastern medicine. We truly believe that with the grace of God and your knowledge and dedication of your profession that we are experiencing such a miracle of life. We are eternally grateful that our paths crossed and you were able to help us achieve our dream of having a baby!" - Joy C., Pittsburgh, PA

Infertility - Male

“My wife and I had been trying to have a baby for 2 years until we found that I have a severe sperm problem. I had my sperm tested four times and each time the number was decreasing and the last test revealed the count is less than 5 mil. Also, the motility and morphology (shape) were below normal range. My urologist told me there’s not much he could do about it and infertility doctor recommended IVF, which is not covered by my insurance. Fortunately, we had a friend who became pregnant successfully after having treatments from Fortune Fertility Center and we decided to try it. Joanna asked us to give her three months to improve my condition and said her success rate with male infertility is over 95%. I had a weekly acupuncture treatment and took herbal formulas (in pills) for three months and went back to my urologist for another sperm test. This time, my doctor was surprised and asked me what I had been doing. My sperm test was normal in all aspects – count, motility and morphology! My doctor, who initially did not believe in Chinese medicine for sperm issues, told me to keep doing whatever I was doing. We are very grateful for what Joanna did for me. Many thanks to Joanna!” - Jay L., Pittsburgh, PA