Pulling Down the Moon - BirthGuide Chicago

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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The content on BirthGuide does not provide medical advice. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. The Complementary Care Directory is a paid membership directory. Members provide the information in their listings, which is not vetted by BirthGuide. The listing of an individual or entity in this directory does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by BirthGuide. By using this directory you agree to be bound by the BirthGuide Terms & Conditions of Use. If you do not wish to be bound by these terms and conditions, please do not access the directory.

Trying to conceive naturally

Whether you’ve been trying to conceive for months or are just starting out, our practitioners can help you navigate your cycles and learn how to maximize your efforts. Are you ovulating? Is your luteal phase long enough? These are some of the questions our practitioners can help answer to ensure you are making the most of your month.

Our practitioners may recommend you chart your temperature and will help you read and decipher your basil body temperature (BBT) charts, which can help you confirm if you are in fact ovulating. They may also recommend Chinese herbs, supplements, diet, and lifestyle changes that are customized specifically to you. We can also work simultaneously to address chronic health challenges beyond fertility – including irritable bowel symptoms, migraines, period pain, and digestive issues that many women experience.

Don’t wait for cycle day 1 to book your initial consultation, you can start treatment at any time!

Egg quality

One of the most common questions we get at Pulling Down the Moon is whether holistic treatment can impact/improve egg quality. While age still matters, the thinking around egg quality has evolved over the last decade and a diagnosis of poor egg quality has the potential to change/improve. While no treatment has 100% success rate, holistic treatments like acupuncture, massage, yoga and nutrition counseling work to improve the environment eggs develop within by increasing blood flow, lowering hormonal disruption through stress management and improved sleep, and decreasing inflammation that can impair cell function.

IUI

Now that you have begun assisted therapy with your OB or RE our services are a great compliment to the meds you are taking. Our approach is still the same: we work with you and customize a plan that is tailored to your needs. During your medicated cycle, we are still treating each phase of your cycle, working to support your body’s physical and mental wellbeing. Our practitioners are well versed in the various meds and timing of cycles and use points to not only help stimulate follicle growth and development but to increase blood flow to the uterus to support implantation and healthy pregnancy. We can also work simultaneously to address chronic health challenges beyond fertility – including irritable bowel symptoms, migraines, period pain and digestive issues that many women experience.

IVF support

Now that you have begun treatment with your RE our services are a great compliment to the meds you are taking. Our approach is still the same: we work with you to customize a plan that is tailored to your needs. During your medicated cycle, we are still treating each phase of your cycle, working to support your body’s physical and mental wellbeing. Whether you are doing a fresh transfer or a frozen embryo transfer later our practitioners can work with your cycle and create a plan that aligns with your timeline. Our Practitioners are all versed in the various meds and timing of cycles and use points to not only help stimulate follicle growth and development but to increase blood flow to the uterus to support implantation and healthy pregnancy. We can also work simultaneously to address chronic health challenges beyond fertility – including irritable bowel symptoms, migraines, period pain and digestive issues that many women experience.

Fertility enhancing massage™

Fertility massage is a cutting edge field, with far-reaching benefits that are still being explored. At Pulling Down the Moon®,we’ve developed specific techniques for working with the body after seeing thousands of fertility clients for over a decade. Our FEM Protocol™ is a five-part series using massage and related techniques to enhance the health and functioning of the pelvic and abdominal organs, and to promote the client’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES WE OFFER

Pregnancy Care New Parent, New Baby Classes, Workshops & Support Groups

People

Beth Heller, Founder

M.S., R.Y.T.

Tamara Quinn

B.S., RYT, Yoga Swami

Meredith Nathan

Director of Massage

Christine Davis

Director of Acupuncture

Cassie Harrison

Yoga Director & Instructor

Michelle Johann

Business Manager

TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS

Our staff includes yoga instructors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, nutrition and weight management experts. All our practitioners are licensed and highly trained in their area of expertise. You can see their full bios here.

Beth Heller, MS, Reg. Yoga Teacher

Beth is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of Pulling Down the Moon, Inc., Integrative Care for Fertility (ICF ™). Beth earned her Master’s Degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics in 1999 and prior to founding PDtM, she spent four years working as a Nutrition Researcher for the Women’s Walking Program, a large National Institutes of Health-funded study that examined the impact of walking exercise on the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of menopausal women. As she witnessed women become stronger, less anxious and less depressed as a result of adding walking to their lives Beth had her first introduction to the powerful connection between mind and body.

Beth came to yoga in 1998 when she realized that a stressed out graduate student like herself was likely to have difficulty starting a family. After stumbling into a yoga class and loving it, Beth began a regular practice. Soon thereafter, her periods, which had been absent for four years, returned without change to her diet, body composition or exercise levels. Beth decided there was something unique about yoga that had helped to restore her reproductive function. In confirmation of this hunch, several months after her menses returned, Beth became pregnant. Unfortunately the pregnancy ended in miscarriage and it was back to the drawing board.

Still confident that yoga was a key element of reproductive health, Beth began trying to conceive again. As she struggled with this challenge, her interest in yoga and fertility grew and led her into deeper practices of breathing, meditation and the work of bringing yoga practice “off the mat” into daily living. She entered teacher training at Moksha Yoga Center in Chicago where she researched and wrote her thesis in 2001 on yoga practices to restore fertility. She also began work with an ayurvedic physician who suggested changes to her diet and life habits. Eighteen months after her first miscarriage Beth conceived again, had a wonderful, healthy pregnancy that ended with a sad surprise, the stillbirth of a daughter at 38 weeks due to unknown causes.

It was in that moment of loss that Beth learned the real value of the yoga she had been studying. In addition to calming and balancing her physical body, the practices of asana, breathing and meditation had provided her with an inner stability, or peace, that she had not recognized until that moment. This peace allowed Beth to grieve the loss of her daughter fully, keep an open heart and have hope for the future even in the darkest hours. Shortly after the loss of her daughter she founded Pulling Down the Moon with fellow yogi Tami Quinn.

Simultaneous to the “birth” of PDtM, Beth returned to the work of getting pregnant. This time she went directly into medical fertility treatment. After five rounds of clomid and another miscarriage she conceived the pregnancy that ended with the healthy birth of her son Jackson. At the age of 37, two years after Jack’s birth, Beth added acupuncture and herbs to her yoga regimen and conceived again after only one month of “trying.” With the birth of her second son, Calvin, her family is now complete.

Throughout every aspect of the journey, the teachings of yoga and the wisdom of traditional healing therapies were her guide and solace. Beth’s goal in founding Pulling Down the Moon was to teach the tools that allowed her to learn and grow through one of the most challenging times in her life. Beth is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. She teaches yoga in classes and in one-on-one instruction throughout the Chicago-land area and is a creator, co-director and teacher for Pulling Down the Moon, Yoga for Fertility.

Tamara Quinn, Reg. Yoga Teacher, Yoga Swami

Tami is the Co-Founder of Pulling Down the Moon, a revolutionary holistic fertility center that has changed the standard of care for women experiencing infertility. Tami was called to this work after a 14-year career in the corporate world, most recently with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia where she spent 8-1/2 years in advertising and marketing. Struggling to find balance between career and family, Tami turned to yoga and discovered ancient healing techniques that not only helped with her stress, but also provided tools to help live a more balanced life. These tools also gave her the courage to leave the corporate world and the financial security it represented. Remembering her own difficulty in conceiving her twins, Tami knew these yoga tools would be meaningful for women experiencing similar challenges.

She became a registered yoga teacher (RYT) through Rod Stryker of the Para Yoga School based in Los Angeles, California. Her training includes in-depth study of the principles and practices of the mystical yogic tradition including Kriology and Ayurveda, which are considered to be yoga sciences as well as spiritual paths. Tami is a reiki master, a disciple of the Kriya yoga lineage through her guru Goswami Kriyananda, and an ordained Swami. Her studies have included the doctrine of karma, meditation or guided imagery, hatha yoga, breathing techniques, sacred texts, astrology, religions of the world, kriya yoga philosophy or psychology, dream interpretation, the language of symbols, and pastoral care.

Tami uses her training as a swami to create fertility specific rituals, clearings, meditations and yoga classes which help women struggling with disappointment, loss and the stresses associated with infertility. Many of these yoga techniques can be found in her book, “Fully Fertile, A 12-Week Plan to Optimal Fertility” which she co-authored with business partner, Beth Heller. Tami also completed Level 1 training in iRest, a restorative yoga technique that has been shown to help soldiers returning from Iraq with post traumatic stress disorder. Tami has a Bachelor of Science degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio; is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Tami still considers herself a student, learning new spiritual lessons daily from her Guru and the life lessons of inspiration, hope and courage from her students.

Christine Davis, Acupuncture Director

Christine is a Licensed Acupuncturist and the Acupuncture Director at Pulling Down the Moon, a fertility-focused integrative complementary medicine center in Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Christine holds a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine. She has been a Board Certified practicing acupuncturist since 2004.

She has studied Chinese Tai Ji Quan at Wu Dang Mountain and Gong Fu at Shao Lin Temple in China. In addition, she studied Chinese herbology at the Beijing University of Traditional Medicine in 2003. She is a Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor in the Iyengar method and has been practicing for over 20 years.

Christine focuses on helping people achieve maximum, lasting wellness by giving them the tools to heal themselves. She believes that health can be improved by using traditional methods of moderation and balance. Christine has helped support many couples on their journey to conceive.

She believes it is important to address both the body as well as the mind and the spirit, especially while trying to conceive. When Christine is not treating patients, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sweet daughters, listening to all kinds of music, strolling through the Chicago Botanic Garden and reading.

Cassie Harrison, Yoga Director & Registered Yoga Teacher

Cassie is a certified Yoga Instructor who trained at Urban Breath Yoga in Saint Louis. She is also a certified Prenatal Yoga Instructor, with an additional 95 hours of instruction through Amala School of Prenatal Yoga and her Yoga for Fertility training through Pulling Down the Moon. As a way to offer personalized instruction and build relationships, Cassie prefers to keep her classes small. She employs Kriya yoga, including Hatha Yoga — involving body, breath and mind.

Cassie’s most recent focus is in Yoga for Fertility, and her classes can help you prepare your body and cope with the stress and emotions of the fertility journey. Her own journey led her to acupuncture, nutrition and chiropractic care — a holistic approach that helped her conceive her two sons. Cassie credits teaching Yoga for Fertility classes with truly helping her to heal, and she hopes to provide a supportive environment where students know they are not alone in their fertility journey.

Yoga has been a constant in Cassie’s life since college, providing a healthy, supportive outlet. She believes that it’s possible for anyone and everyone to reap the benefits of yoga. Thanks in part to her calm, friendly demeanor, Cassie’s students frequently say that they’ve forgotten the stresses of the day for a while and go home feeling relaxed. That equals success in yoga terms.

When Cassie isn’t in the yoga studio, she’s balancing life with a family of four and her career as a sales engineer. She loves spending time outside, whether she is cycling, hiking or skiing. Cassie has a passion for cooking — from gourmet meals at home to fancy meals on family camping trips. She lives with her husband and sons in the northwest suburbs of Chicago but stays true to her St. Louis roots as a die-hard Cardinals fan.

Michelle Johann, Business Director and Patient Advocate

Michelle Johann is the friendly and compassionate face that greets you at the door or on the phone, but also our “behind the scenes gal” that gets things done! She considers herself a planner, and “type A” who believes that hard work and determination always gets you through. Until it didn’t. In Michelle’s words, “Community got me through my own journey of infertility and loss. Community that I found at Pulling Down the Moon.

That is why I am here — to outreach and connect others; to help you on your journey in whatever way I can.

My education and experience as a caregiver, counselor, advocate, and working in nonprofits for many years helps me navigate systems as well as provide support. I love working in and with our community from Star Legacy Foundation to the Broken Brown Egg, Chicago Coalition for Family Building, Return to Zero: H.O.P.E.(as her twins are included in the movie credits), Chicago Family Doulas, and more. When I am not at our centers or working in the community at various events, this pisces loves to be outdoors, to get my feet in the water, +enjoy good food — especially brunch, and spend time with my husband Brian and Moon baby Gavin.

I am grateful for this center and for the opportunity to make a difference as we can move mountains when women support other women.”

EDUCATION

University of Delaware: National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities
Dartmouth College: Individual Placement and Support: Supported Employment for Supervisors
Bradley University: Leadership, Education, and Human Development: Community Counseling (Master’s Degree)
Illinois State University: Psychology Major, Sociology Minor (Bachelor’s Degree)

LICENSURE & CERTIFICATION

National Certified Counselor
Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional
Licensed Professional Counselor

Meredith Nathan, Director of Massage

Meredith Nathan, L.M.T., graduated with honors from Northwestern University and Chicago School of Massage Therapy. Meredith has continued her education through the Upledger Institute as well as Mercier Training Institute, and is certified in Gynovisceral Manipulation, Lymphatic Drainage Technique, CranioSacral Therapy, and Prenatal Massage. Meredith created the Fertility Enhancing Massage (FEM) Protocol™ in 2008 after working with thousands of women seeking to improve their fertility since 2004.

In 2017, in partnership with Pulling Down the Moon, Meredith became an approved provider of Continuing Education in the field of Fertility Massage with the NCBTMB. Meredith was the esteemed recipient of the AMTA’s 2018 Pioneer Award, co-founded the Fully Fertile app, co-authored Fully Fertile’s Nutrition for Life program, and created Fully Fertile’s Holistic DIY for TTC. She has been highlighted in Massage Magazine and Conceive Magazine, and was a contributing author to ‘Fully Fertile: A 12 Week Holistic Plan for Optimal Fertility’.

The daughter of a biophysicist and biologist-turned-healer, Meredith is passionate about blending the best of holistic modalities, grounded in modern science. As a fertility baby herself, Meredith is dedicated to helping patients become parents, and is committed to breaking new grounds and creating a standard of excellence within the world of holistic fertility.

Testimonials

“I hesitate to think about what my journey to motherhood could have been without Pulling Down the Moon. After months of unsuccessful trying, a hopeful internet search on acupuncture for fertility lead me to the place that would become so much more than that. After a couple short months of acupuncture treatment, discussions about upcoming medical fertility endeavors and a wonderful massage, I found myself pregnant. Delighted, I continued with my weekly needles, but was blindsided at my 12 week ultrasound when I learned I had miscarried. I was devastated, but back at the Moon the next week to start picking up the pieces.

I was met with a warmth and understanding that nowhere else in the world could offer me at that time; more than any close friend or well-meaning family member was able to give. I also received a sense of hope and a willingness to continue onto the next steps, however long or difficult, right along with me. I remained on my weekly acupuncture schedule, started on the PTDM prenatal vitamin packs, added in some Chinese herbs, had several more wonderful massages and started a yoga-for-fertility session. Multiple times a week, Pulling Down the Moon was a respite from the outside world that didn’t know what I was going through, and a place where I felt free to talk about my concerns and my dreams, no matter what they were at that particular moment.

Learning more about myself through the process, I came to recognize that I really wanted to do things as holistically and naturally as possible, while still leaving some room on the side to explore what western medicine had to offer, just in case. The professionals at PDTM were there for me as I explored this choice, and supported my decisions, giving me as much information and assistance as possible.

Luckily, I didn’t have to choose. Within 3 months, my cycle regulated and we were pregnant again. I started the trepidatious journey once again, so much more timid and afraid than the last time, but again, completely supported. I incorporated moxa sticks into my routine and carefully awaited each ultrasound. As every week passed, the anxiety lessened, if only by a minuscule amount.

I reached twelve weeks and joined the prenatal yoga class…unsure yet whether I “deserved” to be there. But there I was, welcomed and included. Each woman I met in my classes along the way had their own story and their own struggle, but still was reaching out to support those around her. It builds a community that gets stronger as a whole, as each individual strengthens within it. Now, after several 4-week sessions of prenatal yoga, continued acupuncture and quite a few more (and still equally as wonderful) massages, I am approaching my 38th week of pregnancy. I’m eagerly awaiting the arrival of our little boy and I honestly don’t know if I would be here without the Moon. I do know, at least, that my path here would have been very different and probably a lot less pleasant. I’m so lucky to have found this community and I will be forever grateful to every person at Pulling Down the Moon who has played a role in this crazy adventure.”

It’s hard to believe that we’re in the home stretch of our journey to have our first child. This process hasn’t been easy and did not happen the way we pictured, but we are overjoyed and beyond grateful to be where we are today. I’ve had many “pinch me” moments including yesterday when our crib was delivered.

My husband Tyler and I always knew we wanted children and we started off like many other couples- removing birth control methods and “trying, but not trying”. This had worked for many of our friends so when it wasn’t working we thought we should just give it time. And we did. We traveled and enjoyed life but in the back of our minds something was always missing. We began to really try- and even more time went by without success. My OBGYN sent us for a number of tests and each test came back with the same result- normal. At this point we began working with a reproductive endocrinologist. After more extensive testing and procedures, out RE came up with the same result- our infertility was unexplained. The diagnosis was both frustrating and a relief. If nothing could be pinpointed, nothing could be fixed. Alternatively, if nothing was wrong, would it make our road any easier?

We began with IUI and clomid–with increased clomid each attempt. After 3 failed cycles of IUI our RE recommended IVF as our next step. We were disappointed, sad and mostly scared. I didn’t know anybody who had gone through the process and I felt completely overwhelmed and alone. After some googling I found a group called Shine and they connected me with a “mentor” who had been through the process. We got together for lunch and she shared her story with me and gave me a rundown of all of the nitty gritty details about doing the shots and answered all of my questions about the scary things that worried me. She also gave me the great advice to contact Pulling Down the Moon and begin acupuncture treatments prior to and during my IVF cycle. Willing to try anything to help, I dove right in and worked with Meg. We had weekly acupuncture sessions and really found the zen that I was expecting— and a decrease of side effects from the vicious IVF meds. What I was not expecting was the community I found. The staff at PDTM are understanding, compassionate and many of them have “been there” too. They laughed with me, cried with me and helped me through a fairly large set-back and delay during our first cycle that included the discovery of a previously undiagnosed heart issue. They gave me wonderful advice through my treatment and I took advantage of acupuncture, massage and supplements from PDTM every step of the way.

Fast forward to where Tyler and I are today– 29 weeks pregnant with a boy (who we already know will be darling, tall and funny!) and still getting in my acupuncture and massage when I can– still taking my supplements every day. I don’t know where I would be on this journey without my PDTM treatment and community, but I do know that I will always be grateful for their care and their friendship. I cannot wait until I can officially introduce them to my “moon baby” when he arrives. I know they already love him.

“My husband and I started our fertility journey 3 years ago – after a year of trying on our own we sought help from a doctor at Fertility Centers of Illinois. After several blood tests and ultrasounds the doctors, we had a diagnosis of unexplained infertility (so frustrating!) and they advised we start fertility treatments. After 4 rounds of IUI with no luck, we decided to try IVF. The first time we tried it failed. The second time worked; however, we miscarried our twin boys at 8 weeks. We then took a break for a couple months. After our third try at IVF it worked, and we now have our little girl! We are over the moon and so in love with her!

Going through fertility treatment can be very isolating, especially if you don’t know anyone that is/has gone through it. Pulling Down the Moon gave me a support group of women going through the same journey as me – through PDtM I found comfort in talking to the women there about what I was going through – in addition to the acupuncture/massage/yoga services – and it gave me hope that I too would have a positive outcome.

For anyone trying to conceive, dealing with a loss, or just trying to figure out what your next move is – try and remain positive and know that this too shall pass and lighter days are ahead. Share what you are going through with others – you will find comfort in talking about your situation and will quickly realize that so many women are going through a similar thing.”

-Alex

After years of struggling with infertility and subsequent loss of twins, I found solace in Pulling Down the Moon. I participated in the patient education classes through my affilitation with FCI. It started with acupuncture, followed by fertility-friendly yoga, and then the first line fertility nutrition program to manage my PCOS. It is a peaceful and welcoming location in River North.

It was meant as a “break” from it all and personal healing. I grew to LOVE yoga and all the people I met there. I have tried the yoga CD, the books, the teas, and of course, the yummy Zing bars! I became comfortable in a place that understood me and accepted me as person. The welcoming staff were willing to meet me where I was and help me on my journey.

Little did I know that after surgery and failed treatments, that the nutrition program, yoga, relaxation, and support (from peers and staff) would be what worked for me and our future family! Our miracle rainbow was conceived naturally while working with PDTM and I couldn’t be more grateful. -MJ

I am very grateful for my family, especially my daughters. We welcomed Samantha through adoption and Gwendolyn, pictured with me, after several years of treatment and lots of prayers. Several years in the making, but well worth the wait!”

Your journey is never as you picture it to be. I never imagined the struggle or heartache the road to motherhood would bring. Through it
all however, I never lost faith that one day I would have the baby I always dreamed of. Thank you to Pulling Down the Moon for your support and services, both helped me achieve my dream. On April 26, we welcomed our sweet Sophia Marie into the world!