Arjene Chen, married at 22, struggled with infertility for 18 years. Despite trying traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), taking vacations to relax, artificial insemination, and in vitro fertilization, she faced disappointment at every turn. Miraculously, at the age of 40, she managed to conceive and deliver naturally, leaving her pleasantly surprised with vivid memories that still resonate today.
The Challenging Path to Conception
Ms. Chen, who turns 61 this year, was born in Taiwan. She moved to the United States after marrying her husband, who was studying abroad. She currently resides in Columbus, Ohio, and works as a high school Chinese teacher.After Ms. Chen’s husband obtained his doctorate and their financial situation improved, they began seeking medical help for infertility. They discovered that one of Ms. Chen’s fallopian tubes was blocked, reducing her chances of conceiving by half. Additionally, her husband had a low sperm count.
The doctor suggested they first try artificial insemination, as it was a more affordable option. However, after several unsuccessful attempts, they ultimately decided to pursue in vitro fertilization (IVF).
“In vitro fertilization was very expensive 20 years ago, costing nearly $10,000. The insurance company would not cover a penny, but we still decided to go for it, never willing to give up any chance,” said Ms. Chen.
Her husband learned how to inject her with ovulation-inducing hormones daily. Within a month, she produced 10 eggs, six of which were successfully fertilized. Subsequently, she underwent surgery under local anesthesia to have three fertilized eggs transferred into her uterus.
“After the surgery, I was very anxious, feeling as if I were pregnant. I walked carefully every day, avoiding lifting heavy objects. However, after three weeks, my period came,” she said.
After resting for several months, she underwent another surgery to have the remaining three fertilized eggs transferred to her uterus, but she failed to conceive.
“At that point, we were drained, heartbroken, and extremely frustrated,” she said.
Unexpected Surprise
In 2001, at the age of 38, a friend introduced Ms. Chen to Falun Gong. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice introduced by Master Li Hongzhi from China in 1992. Following the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance, Falun Gong consists of five sets of exercises, including meditation.She decided to practice Falun Gong after her friend gave her its core book, “Zhuan Falun.” Ms. Chen resonated with the book’s teachings about being a good person and reflecting inwardly when interacting with others and handling matters.
After practicing Falun Gong, Ms. Chen noticed some changes in her body and mind. “My health improved significantly. I used to have back pain, but after practicing for a few months, the pain disappeared. Additionally, I became more emotionally stable, and my disappointment over not conceiving gradually faded.”
Unexpectedly, six months after starting Falun Gong practice, she discovered she was pregnant.
“The doctor said all my test results resembled those of a woman in her 20s, and the fetus was very healthy,” she said. “My delivery process was also natural and smooth. I was truly overjoyed. I believe Falun Gong brought me peace of mind and health to my body. I am immensely grateful for it.”
