A long journey

“I researched acupuncture following unsuccessful fertility treatment which left me unwell.  I wanted an acupuncturist who could help me get my periods back under control and help control my general physical and emotional ill health. I also wanted help naturally to improve my fertility.  

From the first meeting in 2016, I felt that Ann just completely understood what we had been through and how to help.  She took the time to explore our circumstances in detail and I really felt from day one reassured and hopeful. 

Ann gradually treated my physical symptoms as they popped up.  My periods began to return regularly and I started to resume confidence in my health.  I learnt so much about healthy eating, controlling my blood sugar levels which is so key for anyone suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome, my emotional well-being, relaxation and began a programme of vitamin supplements and weekly acupuncture.  

Over a year of acupuncture, I gradually recovered my health and direction.  After regular sessions I felt like a different person. Although I wasn't successful in getting pregnant, I felt calm and less stressed.  

However, within a month of finishing my treatment with Ann, I found out totally unexpectedly that I was pregnant.  I firmly believe that Ann helped me get my body ready for pregnancy and looking back I was probably in the best place health wise I had been for ages.

I returned to Ann for acupuncture throughout my pregnancy.  She helped me with morning sickness, leg aches and guided me through the pregnancy preparing me for birth.  Our little miracle baby arrived and Ann kindly treated me post pregnancy to help with breast feeding and generally getting me back on track.

I cannot thank Ann enough for everything she did for me.  She is a remarkable lady, both professionally and personally.  She is so knowledgeable and for me, her treatment was calming and life changing.  She is also a really lovely person who genuinely cares and takes the time to make you feel completely at ease at all times. 

I have met someone who I would always return to for any health issues which might arise and I will always fondly remember her professionalism and kindness.” CC

Trying to conceive for almost 5 years

“My partner and I had been trying to conceive for nearly 5 years. All previous fertility tests had come back normal for us which left me feeling useless.

I first met Ann in 2016 after I visited my GP looking for help with falling pregnant following the test results. My GP suggested I look at alternative therapies specifically acupuncture to assist and pointed me towards the top fertility Zita West clinic website for more information. It was from this website I found Ann.

I was sceptical at first but Ann made my partner and I feel very welcome and reassured us both of the benefits of acupuncture. Ann gave both of us possible changes we could make to our lifestyle including diet which could assist with conceiving.

She also gave me the confidence to ask for more information and pointed me in directions for additional tests which could assist. I truly believe that Ann's treatments, support and advice has helped me to relax and feel more in control and as such helped me to fall pregnant with my now beautiful 4 week old baby boy.

After all the problems I have been through, I still can't quite believe I have my baby - I didn’t think it was ever going to happen. I would recommend Ann to anyone wishing to fall pregnant. My dream has really come true.” CM

First IVF cycle pregnancy

“I am writing this testimonial in April 2018, holding my newborn daughter in my arms. Something I genuinely don’t feel would have been possible without Ann.

I started having treatment with Ann a couple of months prior to my first IVF cycle and probably like you sat there reading this I was a little sceptical never having had acupuncture or TCM before. You may also be a little nervous of the fact someone will be sticking needles in your body - don’t be ... each point gives off a different sensation and it is amazing. I was sold after my first treatment of the benefits I would receive from the treatment. I took on Ann’s advice and guidance completely which I know contributed significantly to a successful first IVF cycle.

I also associate the benefits of my treatment to a symptom free pregnancy. Around week 28 of my pregnancy I moved to another part of the country and the support Ann has continued to show me with finding a local acupuncturist and being available for advice has been invaluable.

Not only did the treatments and advice get me through the cycle but also Ann as a person. I felt I could talk to her about anything and everything to do with my treatment and that really helped me to have a positive approach and deal with every stage of the treatment.

Now I no longer see Ann due to the move. I can safely say I miss her and my treatments with her which is testament to the impact she had on me. I will be eternally grateful to Ann for my little bundle of joy.” CD

Twin girls!

“My journey with Ann started in 2016 after I had had a failed embryo transfer. I was stressed out with going through IVF and being unsure whether I would be able to conceive. With the next transfer scheduled I was adamant I needed something to help me relax and center myself.

Ann was so professional and very thorough whenever I had treatment. She made me feel relaxed and at ease. She worked with me before my transfer and made me feel so much more prepared.

When the transfer day came around she catered to my every need and low and behold two weeks later I was pregnant with my twin girls.

I continued acupuncture throughout my pregnancy and the 9 months went so smoothly. I truly believe Ann played a huge part in me getting pregnant; she made my whole experience so much more enjoyable. I couldn't recommend her enough!”  DG

Unexplained infertility

“My husband and I had been trying for a baby for four years and after having all of the tests offered by the NHS we found out we had ‘unexplained infertility,’ a very frustrating diagnosis as there were no further clues as to why we could not conceive naturally.  We had three failed IUI attempts and then decided to turn to IVF.

I had read about the benefits of acupuncture alongside IVF.  In 2016, my husband and I first met Ann together, and we quickly realised she offered far more to us than acupuncture.  Ann discussed with us our whole lifestyle and diet and gave us so many pieces of advice and we took on board all of them as we were willing to do anything to increase our chances of conceiving.

I had regular acupuncture sessions with Ann alongside my IVF and I was always confident with her, and her understanding of the process.

We were over the moon to gain a positive pregnancy test on our first IVF treatment and I continued the acupuncture throughout the pregnancy and right up to the week before giving birth.

I truly believe Ann helped significantly on our journey to the birth of our precious little girl and I will be forever grateful.”  CP

Secondary fertility issues

“I started to have acupuncture in 2017 when we were struggling to conceive our second child. We had had one miscarriage and had started to explore our options to support another pregnancy.

Within 5 months of acupuncture we were expecting!!! I was very anxious and suffered initially with nausea - I continued with acupuncture and this helped with the nausea and also the anxiety. I also suffered from extreme itching at 30 weeks for which I had further treatment with acupuncture, and this relieved it with instant effect! It was incredible and I was able to continue to enjoy my pregnancy.

Aside from my specific issues I found acupuncture during pregnancy very relaxing and enriching, giving me more energy.

After my baby was born I was in agony with cracked nipples from breastfeeding - I had struggled with this first time around and was terrified this would be a problem again. I explained to Ann the problems and had further acupuncture - amazingly my nipples healed within 2 days and I was able to feed comfortably again. Ann also gave me some pressure points to work on to support my engorgement.

I am such a believer in the work that acupuncture does to the body and feel it contributed to me conceiving and delivering a healthy little girl. Ann not only provided the treatment but also listened and supported me throughout my journey.

I would always recommend Ann to anyone without any hesitation - I continue to be amazed by the wonders of acupuncture. Thank you.”  KP

Recurrent miscarriage

"I approached Ann in 2014 after suffering two miscarriages and failing to conceive again. My cycles had become very short and I was approaching 40 so had concluded my fertility had waned to the point that I would probably not be able to have any more children. Fertility acupuncture was really my last shot at trying to do something positive and I wasn't really expecting anything to improve.

Amazingly they did improve and within 2-3 cycles! I went from a 23/24 day cycle to a 27/28 day cycle and unsurprisingly I then managed to fall pregnant. Sadly for us that pregnancy was not to be due to a chromosome defect but three months later we conceived my son who was born perfectly healthy in Feb 2016.

Ann was a total power of strength throughout. We travelled the journey together and she endured the pain and the joy with me. The talking therapy as part of the treatment was also very important I think as my sessions became my 'safe place' where I could express myself honestly instead of having to put on a brave face to family and friends.

I cannot rate my treatment highly enough. My family is now complete and I really do owe it all to Ann. She is an amazing lady and is extremely talented with a very special gift. Thank you Ann!" VE

Fertility and relaxation

"When my husband and I struggled to get pregnant, I looked at various things we could do to help. This included looking at acupuncture. I had not tried anything like this before and did not know what to expect.

That is when I met Ann and I haven’t looked back since. Ann was amazing in every way. Not only was she very knowledgeable and extremely professional, she made me feel at ease.

Ann really listened to my husband and I and tailored her treatment to our specific situation. She made me feel relaxed and more often than not I fell asleep to the sound of calming music during our sessions. The needles did not cause any pain or discomfort and she was very reassuring.

During our treatment, Ann moved home. I tried another local practitioner and unfortunately was very disappointed. I was not made to feel at ease and felt that I was just another client. I had to return to Ann despite the journey. But I was so pleased that I did. The result was that our son was born in January (2015).

I plan to continue acupuncture with Ann as I found it a great stress buster as well. If we decide for baby number 2 I will definitely see her on a regular basis. I could not recommend her highly enough."  PG

5th time at IVF, 1st time with acupuncture - success at last!

"My husband and I had almost given up hope of ever having a child of our own. After 8 years of trying to conceive and 4 rounds of ICSI, we decided to give it one last chance, but this time with acupuncture as well. I must admit I had always been a bit sceptical about acupuncture and although I had heard lots of good things about it, I never truly believed that it could make such a difference, but now I am a firm believer and am amazed by the benefits it can have. Before embarking on our final treatment, I researched acupuncturists in my area and was drawn to Ann as I noticed she was affiliated by Zita West and so had specialist training in fertility acupuncture.

At our first meeting with Ann she instantly made us feel at ease, she took the time to listen to us talk about what we'd been through and took a detailed account of our history. She was very helpful and knowledgeable about this subject and offered lots of tips and advice in regards to health and nutrition. She also looked at other factors that could be contributing to our repeated failures to conceive.

Ann is more than just an acupuncturist; she has such a calm caring way about her. During each of my sessions she has always taken the time to listen, be sympathetic and offer advice and an endless supply of tissues! I found the acupuncture to be a very relaxing and pleasurable experience, it gave me a chance to 'switch off' from my busy life for 1/2 hour. Ann is very gentle when inserting the needles and explains what each point is working on. Ann also suggested some vitamins and supplements to take to help get our bodies in the best condition and result in better quality sperm, eggs and embyros which it did. My husband's sperm quality improved, I had a better production of eggs and the amount of embryos and quality of them was vastly better. Resulting in a successful pregnancy and finally our beautiful little boy.

We are so grateful to Ann for all her help and support she has given us throughout this difficult and emotional journey. Without her I don't think this could have ever been possible. I won't hesitate to use her again in the future when we decide to go through another treatment with our frozen embryos."  AL

Holistic treatment

"I started seeing Ann to help promote my fertility as I hadn’t fallen pregnant after a year of trying. The first time I saw Ann, she put me at ease and took a thorough and detailed history and explained the different treatment options. Prior to every treatment Ann would reassess any symptoms that I was experiencing, refer back to her detailed notes and plan the treatment accordingly. She also offered advice on diet, supplements, relaxation techniques etc., all to help promote my fertility.

Ann provides a highly professional, friendly and holistic approach; she always made sure I was comfortable, answered any questions, nothing was ever too much. Ann is a highly skilled, knowledgeable and kind individual offering a fantastic service. Ann's support, help and treatment really helped me through the emotional roller coaster of trying to get pregnant.

Acupuncture has had a very positive impact on my overall health and well- being, as well as helping me to address some specific health issues and minor ailments throughout my pregnancy. I had previously suffered from hypertension for many years with no specific cause and had taken medication to manage this condition. After a few months of acupuncture treatment for fertility I was able to stop taking my blood pressure medication and my blood pressure has remained within normal limits since. Acupuncture helped me to fall pregnant and I have a beautiful baby girl.

Throughout pregnancy, acupuncture treatments helped to improve symptoms of heart burn, nausea, back pain, stress, lack of sleep, hay fever, headaches. My husband and I also learnt acupressure points to use throughout labour which helped to increase my contractions when they had slowed down and manage my pain during labour.

I feel less stressed and more balanced and overall I feel that acupuncture has had a hugely positive impact on my overall health and well- being. I would highly recommend Ann and acupuncture for fertility, throughout pregnancy and for other conditions." LG

Twins after multiple miscarriages

"I started treatment with Ann in the Autumn of 2011 prior to my 4th round of IVF. I had decided that this would be my last as my advancing age (40+), my complicated fertility history including several unexplained miscarriages and the general emotional burden of continuous treatment cycles had left me feeling pretty hopeless about my prospects of success. Nevertheless I wanted to try and maximise my chances of success and from previous experience I knew that Chinese medicine and acupuncture would help support and enhance my treatment.

From the start I warmed to Ann, we drew up a careful treatment plan together based on my fertility history, general health and lifestyle factors. Ann was always positive and supportive throughout my treatment but at the same time she helped me manage my expectations and keep my feet on the floor. I saw Ann weekly leading up to my treatment and subsequently fortnightly and then 3 weekly once my pregnancy was confirmed and established. It was really tremendously exciting for me when my first scan revealed I was having twins, although I suffered terribly with morning sickness during my first trimester. However Ann helped me manage and cope with my symptoms by adapting my treatment program to meet my needs during this difficult stage and as my pregnancy developed.

I am now the proud mother of beautiful twin girls. I still cannot believe my luck as my previous pregnancies had all ended in miscarriage during the first trimester. I feel that Ann was the crucial variable this time. Ann's approach to fertility and pregnancy was holistic and I was provided with exceptional physical and emotional support. I would certainly recommend Ann if you trying to get pregnant naturally and want some help or if you are embarking on fertility treatment. Ann is professional, supportive and I felt she was completely dedicated to helping me achieve a successful and healthy pregnancy." TH

ICSI and twins

"I had 2 failed cycles. The first one, in February 2010, was a fresh cycle but wasn't successful; the second one, in June 2010, was frozen cycle, but ended up miscarried at 5 weeks. I found Ann through the Zita West website in August 2010.

I started seeing Ann around end of September 2010. The first consultation went really well. My instinct was right: Ann was a very professional, caring, loving person. She helps you feel less nervous about the whole IVF experience. She will work out how many treatments you need and I trusted her in every way. She was very knowledgeable about which acupuncture points to use in each stage. I had acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine with Ann, which helped my body to get ready for the IVF treatment. Ann also gave me vital information of how to maximize my chance, ie. foods to eat, vitamins to take. I continued to receive acupuncture from Ann throughout my entire pregnancy. I did have bleeding around 8 weeks, which stopped a week after I was advised to increase the herbal dosage. My beautiful twin boys were born in October 2011.

I am very grateful to have found Ann. Without her I wouldn't be able to have success in my 3rd IVF cycle. Thank you so much Ann." SD

Twins!

"Having seen another acupuncturist through one unsuccessful course of IVF, I was put in touch with Ann who I felt provided a completely different experience, this I believe, was fundamental in preparing my body and mind for what turned out to be a successful second course of IVF resulting in a twin pregnancy.

I continued to see Ann throughout my pregnancy and despite being told of all the possible complications of a twin pregnancy by the medical profession, I feel Ann contributed to a fairly trouble free time with only minor niggles, which in most cases she could help with. I cannot thank Ann enough, her treatment, advice and her personal care were so amazing. We will be eternally grateful for her part in our precious and miraculous twin girls." CF

More twins!

"My husband and I had been trying to conceive for several years and having had a negative experience at one of the fertility clinics in London, I was at rock bottom. After three failed attempts of IUI, I was told that there was probably no point in having any more rounds, and that IVF probably wouldn't work at all. Consultants seemed certain that we were not going to conceive. I had also been quite ill and had just found out that I had coeliac disease, which in itself has links with infertility. Fed up with being labelled a statistic, I decided to pull myself together and do all I possibly could to improve my general health and was determined to get pregnant. I read that acupuncture might help.

I had never tried acupuncture before, but was sure I would try anything if it would help me conceive. I find it hard to relax, but with my body perforated with needles, I had no option but to lie still! I did a local search for a practitioner who was specialised in fertility treatments and who had trained with Zita West in London. This is how I found Ann's website.

Ann brought calm into my life! Over the course of 18 months, I saw Ann regularly. She was professional, sensitive and caring at all times. An excellent listener, she is a highly unassuming, very knowledgeable person who has chosen to specialise in fertility and helping people to conceive. She is gentle, peaceful and patient. (Which is of relevance when dealing with patients who are going through fertility treatments, in many cases, bodies pumped full of hormones or steroids, their emotions all over the place!)

I cannot recommend Ann enough, both personally and professionally. I am writing this whilst my twin babies are asleep! Yes, thanks to Ann, I have two little miracles in my life.” Mrs F

IVF cycle preparation

"Ann was recommended to me by a friend who had recently given birth following IVF treatment at the end of 2009. After several years of unexplained infertility and having already undergone one failed round of IVF I was looking to improve my chances of further fertility treatment being successful. The moment I met Ann, she put me completely at ease and explained the science behind her method of treatment. She is a genuinely warm and caring person and I felt reassured by her positivity.

I started having acupuncture a couple of months before my second IVF cycle and continued throughout the entire treatment process. Although this cycle did not result in a pregnancy I felt better prepared mentally and physically this time round following the acupuncture treatment I had received. In many ways it was more successful than the first as I had additional embryos that were frozen for future use. I continued with the acupuncture leading up to my next cycle.

In June 2010, my previously frozen embryos were implanted. Two weeks later it was confirmed that I was pregnant!! I continued to receive acupuncture from Ann throughout my entire pregnancy. My beautiful baby boy was born in March 2011.

I am in no doubt that the acupuncture contributed towards my positive outcome. However I must also give credit to Ann herself who throughout my treatments was a shoulder to cry on at times, a source of advice, reassurance and guidance with her wealth of knowledge of both traditional and Chinese medicines." AC

Fertility and conception

“I am 31 years old. I commenced treatment with Ann in January 2011. My treatment was for fertility as myself and my partner had been trying for a baby for nearly a year without success. I first had a very in depth consultation with Ann prior to any treatment. I have always found Ann to be an exemplary medical professional in her manner, knowledge and competency. Over the course of 5 months my treatment consisted of acupuncture, herbs and vitamin and mineral supplements. Each week Ann would refer back to her detailed notes and would analyse symptoms and changes and tweak treatments if necessary.

Ann is a warm, welcoming, considerate and understanding person who makes you feel very comfortable during both consultations and treatment. I found the facilities very fitting to their purpose and the atmosphere one of calm and serenity. Ann was always understanding and available to chat at anytime even outside of our weekly appointments via text, email or telephone.

After 5 months of treatment it was with great pleasure that my partner and I found out we are expecting our first baby. I without doubt recommend anyone who is interested in pursuing acupuncture treatment for whatever reason. I found it a wonderful, relaxing, invigorating experience and will definitely contact Ann again in the future to have treatment, even if it is just for general well being and unwinding.” CP

IVF and delivery

"I started seeing Ann on a weekly basis in Jan 2010 prior to a cycle of IVF. From the outset I found the sessions very therapeutic, both in terms of talking through the IVF treatment for the first 15mins or so of the session with someone that understood the medical side, to the actual acupuncture itself which always left me feeling completely relaxed, sometimes to the point of falling asleep on the couch and waking myself up with a snore!

Ann worked on different acupuncture points each session depending on where I was in the IVF cycle, and certainly seemed to know as much about my body as I did – she knew before I did that the cycle had been successful and I was indeed pregnant, equally she knew that I was suffering from mild constipation later in the pregnancy and looked to help me with that.

I have always looked forward to seeing Ann and feel she has definitely played a large part not only in becoming pregnant but also in having a very healthy pregnancy throughout, with no morning sickness and generally feeling very well and healthy. Towards the end of the pregnancy she treated me using points which helped with labour so I was feeling less stressed about what my body was about to go through.

My baby son arrived safely in November 2010 weighing 8lb 2oz using only gas and air, and it was very exciting to visit Ann with my newborn baby as he was a gift I never dared believe would happen for me." KB

4th IVF cycle

"I had been trying to conceive for 8 years and had been through every available medical treatment. I had 3 failed IVF attempts and was reluctant to do a 4th. I knew I had to prepare myself in a different way starting with my diet, exercise regime and over all internal body fitness. I had seen so many TV shows and heard many people talk about the link between acupuncture and conception success rates so I thought I would have a go, as I had nothing to lose. I had previously been to a high street practice but it seemed very clinical impersonal and commercial. When I met Ann she said she was an acupuncture practitioner as well as having a western medical background: this sat more comfortably with what I was looking for.

Ann took a lot of time, care and personal dedication to my situation, she worked out what was happening within my body and what needed to improve before going ahead with what would be my final try with IVF. Ann was very careful in working out what treatment was required by talking through my daily habits and any ill health that could affect my ability to conceive, she spent a lot of time assessing and conducting necessary diagnosis as to where to start. Throughout my treatments I felt comfortable, relaxed, calm and always at ease, everything was always explained to me and I felt good after all my treatments.

When I started my 4th IVF cycle my mind and body and mind felt different, this time I had felt well and more relaxed. My two week wait before taking a pregnancy test was comfortable and the anxieties I felt during the previous tries had disappeared. Consequently after 8 years I became pregnant with twins and went onto have an easy pregnancy.

I can only thank Ann for her wonderful dedication and amazing approach to helping me and I know that she has gone on to help many others including a friend who I recommended and is now pregnant. Thank you!" TS

Vulvodynia

"When I first visited Ann I had been suffering from vulvodynia for 4 months. I had seen a gynaecologist but was reluctant to take the prescribed medication. Acupuncture has helped me no end. 

Ann is so lovely and really listens to you and you can tell that she wants to help you so much. She was also helpful when recommending vitamins and probiotics, which I believe also eased my pain.

Having had acupuncture for about 8 months I now don’t feel the need to go as often. Acupuncture was a great alternative therapy that has really aided my recovery. I would recommend it to anyone suffering from vulvodynia". HH

Perimenopause

"I approached Ann for help with the hormonal fluctuations and symptoms of perimenopause. Ann has a unique way of combining and balancing the precision of Oriental Medicine with her own western healing abilities. I leave a session with her feeling I have been totally nurtured. The deep Tuina massage relieves all my tensions from the working week and the expert acupuncture leaves my system running smoothly with a feeling of inner vitality, health and calm.

With Ann as my practitioner my quality of life is much improved."  GL

Burnout and emotional stress

"I arranged my first consultation with Ann in June 2010. I was run down - emotionally, mentally & physically, mainly due to stress at & redundancy from work. These conditions had been developing over a 5 year period. In my view [experience] Ann's treatment is a holistic one i.e. she observes my physical, mental, emotional signs & listens to how I feel & deal with my life. Through her diagnosis, which is both supportive & insightful she identifies the acupuncture points/herbs needed to re-establish 'balance'/treat the underlying dis-ease. Treatment has also included massage of affected muscles.

Over a year of treatment has resulted in a return of energy to the body & a mind that is becoming calm & focused. It took a long time for me to create these conditions in my life, but I am happy with the outcomes which my patience/active participation & Ann's treatment are delivering.

Ann has a professional approach to her work, the treatment room in her home is private and comfortable." BH

Avoided induction!

"We have had a beautiful baby boy! Within a few hours of being admitted I was contracting regularly and managed to labour/deliver without any induction agents or pain relief other than gas and air.

I cannot thank you enough for both acupuncture sessions and for giving us some really good self management options which we really used, especially during the early parts of labour. I was a particular fan of the lower back massage! We feel the acupuncture/acupressure really made a difference and helped this labour to be better than the last one!" AM

Delivery without pain relief

"I just wanted to thank you so much for the acupressure when I was over-due; we truly believe this really helped us during pre labour and labour with all the pressure points you showed us. We carried on with the points everyday and that helped to bring the baby down.

I had had two sweeps before I knew about acupressure for inducing labour, and nothing had happened. I was so upset I was going to be induced the following week and wanted to try everything. Luckily my friend recommended you to us and after having two sessions I was 2 cm dilated.

I did still need inducing but I think doing the acupressure points helped me to go on and have a natural birth.

I highly recommend this to pregnant ladies; its fantastic and I even had my little boy with no pain relief.

Thank you so much." MH

41 weeks +

"I recently had an appointment with Ann to try to induce labour as I was past 41 weeks pregnant. The treatment was successful and I went into labour spontaneously the following day, thereby avoiding a medical induction."   SP

Brilliant acupressure!

"We have a beautiful baby girl born in water! I used hypnobirthing to 'breathe her out' with no pain relief, homeopathy and acupressure to help establish labour after a pessary induction started things off. Acupressure was brilliant ... I can't thank you enough. The birth was amazing, and far exceeded any expectations."  NC

Overdue!

"Thank you Ann for introducing my husband and I to acupressure for the induction of labour. It was great to learn some of the most effective pressure points that we could work on together.

We saw Ann when I was eight days overdue and our son was born the next day so it might just have been the acupressure that did it!"   SB