frequently asked questions

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About FAFW

  • We guide women to unlock their healing powers through the integration of mind, body, and spirit to enhance their fertility and transform their lives.

  • As NYC’s premier holistic fertility acupuncture and somatic healing center for women’s health, we’ve helped thousands of patients navigate fertility and other health challenges to have a baby.

    Everything we do is through a research-driven and trauma-informed lens.

    We are highly respected and known in Western medical circles in NYC and beyond as being the go-to center for fertility acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutraceutical, and nutrition support, for whole body care.

    Women are often amazed when they experience what we offer as so much more than acupuncture. In our unique way, we address the root causes of dis-ease that may be impacting their fertility and overall well-being. This exploration often uncovers surprising insights into their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. While these deeper levels of transformation may not have been the primary motivation for seeking our services, the healing we witness regularly becomes profoundly enriching gifts that they take away from their experience with us.

  • Education: We are committed to actively facilitating the learning process, guiding you through transformative experiences that promote growth, and preparing you for fertility success and a fulfilling life journey.

    Transformation: Our focus is on continual evolution, fostering positive change, self-awareness, and holistic well-being.

    Health: We prioritize your optimal physical, mental, and emotional wellness, striving for balance, vitality, and resilience in every aspect of your life.

    Openness: We value authenticity, transparency, and curiosity. We create an inclusive environment that embraces new perspectives, ideas, and possibilities.

    Support: We are dedicated to helping you on your journey towards fulfillment and success, offering encouragement and guidance to enhance your well-being and achieve your desires.

  • We break out how we help into three notable phases. We always start with optimizing and improving your physical health. Most importantly, with the lens of how to improve your fertility. As we progress together, deeper layers of healing may unfold, addressing mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

    Phase 1: The Foundation

    In Phase 1 we focus on your physical body as it is the foundation to maximize fertility health outcomes and to prime your body for optimal health. This phase centers on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including nutrition, nutraceutical support, lifestyle advice with basic additional healing modalities, and introductory somatic work.

    We meet you where you are on your journey: preconception, infertility, postpartum, and beyond.

    We’re often asked if we have experience helping people improve fertility and get pregnant. The answer is, yes. Here are the common conditions we see in patients.

    PCOS, endometriosis, perimenopause, hormone imbalance, male factor infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, unexplained infertility, secondary infertility, high FSH, diminished ovarian reserve, reproductive cancers, fibroids, and cysts.

    Phase 2: The Expansion

    Through this phase you’ll get the opportunity to explore additional programs and alternative ways to connect with our founder, Angela Le, beyond acupuncture.

    Improve your relational health - to self, and others through The Embodied Fertility Coaching Program and Intimacy & Sex Coaching

    Phase 3: The Rebirth

    Transform your whole life for your most authentic expression of Self through Angela’s highly selective Rebirth mentorship program.

    I have been working with Western doctors and undergoing fertility treatments, but I am curious about trying to get pregnant naturally. Can you help me?

    Yes. In fact, we’ve helped countless women go from unsuccessful IVF to successful natural conception. Others have come to see us wanting to get pregnant naturally but with age or other health conditions that have them doubting it’s possible.

    We can never promise you’ll get pregnant, but we can assure you that you will feel better working with us—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—if you commit to change. We are here to guide you, but you have the power to decide what you want from this journey and what you’ll take from it.

  • 1045 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1A, NY, NY, 10028 (between 85th and 86th street, and a short walk from the 4/5/6 subway stop at 86th Street and Lexington Avenue).

  • You will be seen by leading fertility specialists and treated as the individual that you are. Every patient receives a highly customized and individualized plan for care. Everything we do is for you, and only you.

    Beyond being holistic and integrative, our somatic approach sets us apart. We operate this way to optimize your health outcomes, ensuring success not just in fertility, but in all areas of your life.

    We have been described as a sanctuary or safe haven in the city for women. We strive to create a safe space for you to fully exhale and relax. Whether you feel like crying, laughing, or simply taking a moment to breathe. Every part of you is fully welcome.

    In addition, we are committed to being the only fertility clinic in NYC that’s green, and non-toxic which is a critical component of the health-focused healing we offer.

  • You're currently navigating fertility struggles and recognize that Western medicine alone may not fully address your needs. Exploring alternative and natural approaches is appealing to you. You are open to growth, change, and transformation in your life. You are willing to take responsibility and are looking for a guide to support you in your fertility, health and healing journey.

  • We work alongside the country's leading physicians and are happy to collaborate and coordinate care and treatment with your team of providers to ensure cohesive protocol and support.

    Founders Dr. Le and Dr. Sami David, a leading reproductive endocrinologist and bestselling author of Making Babies: A Proven 3-Month Program for Maximum Fertility built their respective practices forming the only green, integrative, and somatic fertility practice in the country.

  • The Embodied Fertility Coaching Program is a signature initiative unique to FAFW. The program, which can be done virtually no matter where you live, is a transformative experience. It is designed to support you on your journey to conception while fostering health, mental and emotional resilience, and spiritual connection. We address the interconnectedness of unhealed life experiences and their potential impact on fertility.

    Embodied Fertility is an approach to reproductive health that emphasizes the holistic integration of the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions of fertility. This philosophy underscores the interconnectedness of the body, mind, emotions, and spirit in the context of fertility, encouraging women to be present in and connected to their bodies. The term "embodied" suggests a focus on mindful awareness, acknowledging fertility as not solely a physical process but as an intrinsic component of overall well-being.

    The Embodied Fertility Program is the next transformative step following improved physical health outcomes. Within this program, we embark on a profound exploration of various aspects of your life beyond health, seeking to unravel potential factors impacting your fertility journey. Delving into relational dynamics, starting with self-care, boundaries, and identifying patterns that may be hindering both life and fertility goals.

    By addressing unresolved trauma through a Somatic Experiencing lens, we facilitate a pathway to clarity regarding what you really want. Recognizing that trauma and stress can act as obstacles to your overall fulfillment, our focus is on guiding you to discover a sense of safety within yourself. Learn how to regulate your nervous system, fostering a state of presence that leads to increased fulfillment, joy, and ease.

  • So often life in NYC can feel all hustle and bustle and not enough stillness and rest. We are the reprieve from the go-go-go, and invite you to slow. We prioritize creating a high vibrational nurturing environment so that you can find your safety within.

    It doesn't mean we aren't effective or efficient, quite the opposite. We have meticulously crafted a space of solace and hope - one that many women deem their sanctuary in the city.

    Many share that when they’re in our space they can finally exhale and shed tears they’ve unknowingly been holding back. We invite you to experience the same and to release all the emotional weight you’ve been carrying.

About the Practice

  • Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient medical system rooted in a profound understanding of the laws and patterns of nature, which are then applied to the human body. Unlike "New Age" practices or a patchwork of different healing modalities, TCM stands as a comprehensive medical system with a history spanning over five thousand years.

    At its core, TCM prioritizes treating the root cause of illnesses rather than merely addressing their symptoms. In modern terms, TCM adopts a holistic approach by recognizing the interconnectedness of every aspect of a person—body, mind, spirit, and emotions—with nature.

    TCM plays a vital role in fertility health, offering insights into the underlying factors that may be affecting fertility. Acupuncture, a key component of TCM, can help address conditions such as irregular menstrual cycles, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, diminished ovarian reserve, enhancing egg quality, increasing uterine blood flow, recurrent miscarriage, unexplained infertility, optimizing sperm function, and alleviating stress.

  • Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine practice, involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body believed to regulate the flow of energy, or qi. In the context of fertility, acupuncture offers many potential benefits. For instance, it can help balance the endocrine system, improve blood flow to the reproductive organs, improve ovarian function, improve sperm parameters, and reduce stress levels. During your session, your practitioner will customize the treatment plan based on your symptoms. Overall, acupuncture provides a natural approach to fertility support, addressing both physical and emotional factors that may be impacting your reproductive health.

    Fertility acupuncture functions on the principle that stimulating specific points on the body can influence the flow of energy, or Qi, throughout the body. By targeting key acupuncture points related to fertility, such as those connected to the reproductive system, acupuncture helps restore balance and harmony within the body, thereby optimizing reproductive function. Acupuncture helps to regulate hormone levels, promote proper blood circulation to the ovaries and uterus, alleviate stress, regulate the menstrual cycle, and support overall health. Ultimately, fertility acupuncture aims to create an environment conducive to conception and healthy pregnancy by addressing various factors that may affect fertility.

  • Soma means body. In a sense, everything we do at FAFW is through the body. Yet, it’s also connected to the mind and our emotions. Somatic healing is a mind-body approach to help release stress and tension that has become stored in the body. When combined with treatments such as acupuncture it’s a very potent recipe for optimizing our body’s potential - promoting fertility and enhancing overall health.

  • For anything to grow - a baby - or your potential and expression in life, there must be a baseline of safety. It’s why we prioritize helping you create a connection to and safety within your body.

  • Somatic healing promotes safety in the body by cultivating body awareness and recognizing sensations that indicate stress or discomfort. Through techniques like breath work, movement, and touch, somatic practices help release stored tension and regulate the nervous system, shifting the body from a state of fight, flight, freeze, or fawn to calm. By gently exploring and integrating past trauma held in the body, individuals can feel safer and more grounded in the present. This process empowers individuals to develop self-trust and agency over their bodily experiences, fostering a deep sense of safety and well-being from within.

About the Healing Journey

  • Many women ask us when they should begin acupuncture if they are going through IVF or engaged in any type of fertility medicine.

    Our answer is always the same - the earlier the better.

    Ideally, treatment should begin three months before an IVF cycle. One of the essential steps is to establish a healthy menstrual cycle, this requires careful monitoring of physical signs/symptoms and implementing basic behavioral modifications.

    Given this is a natural form of medicine it is wise to give yourself and your body time to realize the effects. The benefits of working with us will begin right away and increase over time.

    However, if that time has already passed for you that is okay as we can meet you wherever you are in your cycle.

  • Many patients are pleasantly surprised by just how much we can cover in the very first visit.

    We ask that you please come prepared by bringing your full medical history. We will then do a full assessment of your health history and take in the necessary information to get to know you and your health struggles intimately.

    Once we have this information we develop a treatment plan that is highly customized and designed specifically for your needs. This, in many ways, is like a structured and highly detailed roadmap for what you can expect in working with us.

    Often this includes recommending certain nutraceuticals and supplements for you to leave with after the first appointment.

    Beyond our intake to inform a treatment plan, we will also do acupuncture on your very first visit.

    Finally, we recognize you may have questions - and lots of them. We leave plenty of time for you to ask as many lifestyle-related questions as you’d like that pertain to your circumstances. (Such as what is safe to do or eat while trying to conceive).

    We truly want you to have the most comprehensive and immediately impactful first visit.

  • Virtually all humans have experienced or are currently experiencing some form of trauma, which can be defined as unresolved stress. We use both stress and trauma interchangeably. Our approach involves identifying and addressing any underlying stressors that may be hindering your fertility and overall well-being. By doing so, we aim to help you regulate your nervous system, signaling safety within your body—a crucial factor in improving fertility.

    Furthermore, infertility itself can be an intensely traumatic experience. Countless women have confided in us, sharing that infertility was among the most traumatizing experiences of their lives. Unfortunately, this stress often remains hidden, and many women feel isolated in their struggles due to a lack of support and opportunities for healing within their communities. At FAFW, we are committed to guiding our patients in healing their traumas and, on a larger scale, addressing the collective trauma that permeates infertility.

    As practitioners, we recognize the importance of acknowledging and resolving stress and trauma within the body. This understanding allows us to establish a deeper connection with you and support your transition from surviving to thriving.

  • Please don’t be intimidated by our mention of the word "trauma." When you begin your journey with us, we will delicately explore, over time, whether there is any unprocessed stress in your body that may have contributed to infertility or other health concerns.

    In our experience, virtually all of us experience stress that can create blockages or misalignments, leading to physical symptoms.

    Healing stress in the body promotes a sense of safety, which we believe is crucial for both fertility and overall health.

  • Yes. In fact, we’ve helped countless women go from unsuccessful IVF to successful natural conception. Others have come to see us wanting to get pregnant naturally but with age or other health conditions that have them doubting it’s possible.

    We can never promise you’ll get pregnant, but we can assure you that you will feel better working with us—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—if you commit to change. We are here to guide you, but you have the power to decide what you want from this journey and what you’ll take from it.

  • Yes. We meet you wherever you are on your journey: preconception, infertility, postpartum, and beyond.

    We’re often asked if we have experience helping people improve fertility and get pregnant. The answer is, yes. We also can offer you postpartum support.

    As detailed in Phase 1 of our services; here is a detailed look at all of the fertility support we offer and have experience in supporting:

    • Preconception

    • Prepare your body naturally for pregnancy

    • Egg freezing support

    • Infertility: We are experienced in working with all diagnoses that impact fertility including:

    • PCOS, endometriosis, perimenopause, hormone imbalance, male factor infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, miscarriage, secondary infertility, unexplained infertility, low AMH, High FSH, diminished ovarian reserve, fibroids, cysts, reproductive cancers impacting fertility

    We help you prepare for IUI and IVF including day-of support wherever you need us to be

    • Pregnancy:

    Reduce morning sickness, fatigue, anxiety, headaches, pain including but not limited to back, neck, pelvis, legs, carpal tunnel, heartburn, constipation, swelling, cramps, cephalic version, improve sleep, increase relaxation, and labor induction.

    • Postpartum:

    Promotes lactation and alleviates symptoms like fatigue, mastitis, abdominal cramping and pain, postpartum depression, c-section post-operative pain, constipation, depression, anxiety, and stress.

  • Yes. Most of the women we see are actively in fertility treatments and want additional support.

  • Absolutely! We work with men in various capacities. While they initially seek our services due to a diagnosis of male factor infertility, many of them go on to engage in deeper work to facilitate meaningful changes in their lives.

  • First, we are sorry to hear this. Yes, we have many patients come to us after pregnancy loss. We are well-equipped to offer emotional support to process the grief, fear, anxiety, or any other emotion that’s present for you during this painful time.

  • Yes - we offer both perimenopausal and menopausal support.

  • We believe firmly in the value of partnering with patients.

    We have found that the more open, willing, and committed you are as a patient the more likely we are to have better results.

    We ask that you:

    • Listen to your body

    • Approach treatment with a sense of hope and curiosity

    • Embrace your responsibility and become an active participant in your healing

    • Commit to dietary adjustments and lifestyle changes

    We encourage you to invest in your health not only for improved fertility outcomes but also for your overall well-being.

    We are here to guide you, to create safety, and to use all of the tools we have access to in creating the most ripe environment for achieving the fertility and health outcomes you most desire.

  • Absolutely! We are here to meet your needs, whatever they may be. While we excel in providing comprehensive healing beyond acupuncture, we are committed to accommodating you in whatever way serves you best.

  • For decades our founder, Angela Le, has been offering deep healing to her patients. It’s partly because she’s a true healer who deeply listens, connects, and wants to understand the people she works with. That combined with her love for learning has meant her knowledge and skill set for employing various healing modalities is ever-growing.

    Additional ways to work with Angela:

  • We believe that the challenges you face on this journey offer opportunities for profound personal growth and transformation. As you navigate the complexities of infertility, you may uncover deeper aspects of yourself and identify areas of imbalance or stress that affect your overall well-being. This journey of self-discovery can foster a deeper understanding of yourself, serving as essential preparation for a more healed life before expanding your family.

    Our approach focuses on addressing the underlying causes of infertility rather than simply treating its symptoms. By delving into the root causes and providing holistic healing modalities, we aim to support you on a journey toward greater fulfillment. This approach extends beyond conception, empowering you to live a life aligned with your dreams and desires.

    Once you’ve gone through Phase 1 and have established your foundation of physical health we can then expand into further healing in Phase 2 and 3 of what we offer.

  • No! While many women today know and find us through their fertility doctors and want to get pregnant and have a baby, our services extend far beyond conception.

    We're here to support women on their journey of self-discovery and empowerment, prioritizing their health outcomes as the foundation for all subsequent forms of healing.

    Let us know what your challenges are and what your intention is, so we can help you determine the best starting point for your healing journey.

  • While acupuncture is powerful for balancing the body's energy and promoting wellness, incorporating additional healing modalities can further support your reproductive health. Exploring services that address physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects—such as herbal medicine, nutrition, detoxification, somatic experiencing, mindfulness practices, and lifestyle changes—can optimize your fertility and well-being. By utilizing this period for self-care and holistic healing, you not only prepare yourself for parenthood but also empower yourself to live a healthier and more aligned life.