By Sarah Schwager
DESPITE being told they would only ever conceive through invitro fertilisation, Kooweerup’s Carolyn and Joe Aparo have had two “miracle” babies after they embarked on natural therapies.
Isabella was born just five weeks ago after Carolyn and Joe decided to try acupuncture.
The couple first tried IVF in 2001 and had three failed treatments before taking a break.
The chance of conceiving was small as Carolyn has severe endometriosis and polycystic ovaries and Joe had a low sperm count.
Carolyn said she and Joe were on holiday when a massage therapist suggested using bark flower drops.
She joined the gym and started seeing a naturopath and Joe began taking large doses of vitamin C.
Three months later Carolyn fell pregnant.
Riley was born in 2002 and is now a healthy fouryearold.
Carolyn, 36, said when the couple next tried to conceive they decided to see a Pakenham acupuncturist to help stimulate and balance their bodies.
She fell pregnant with Isabella in May but continued acupuncture treatments through to November.
“In people with my condition there’s a high chance of miscarriage,” she said.
“The acupuncture helped maintain the uterus.”
Carolyn said when she first fell pregnant an IVF consultant told her the pregnancy was a oneoff, a “miracle”, and to come back and try IVF again if they wanted a second child.
But Carolyn, a nurse, said she did not want to go through IVF again and had always been willing to try other therapies.
“I’ve always believed when there is a combination of the two (medical and natural therapies) they can complement each other,” she said.
“IVF was so horrendous and so invasive and stressful. That’s why we just had three goes and then had a break.”
Carolyn said she hoped their story would inspire other people who were trying to get pregnant.
She said when the couple had decided to try IVF, the consultant had told her to lose weight and her desire to have a baby would go away.
“Don’t just let it be at that,” she said. “Keep trying different methods and eventually you’ll find something that works.”