Nicole C.

San Clemente, CA

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5/18/2017   

5 STARS

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Updated review

After the birth of my second baby, I'd be remiss in not updating my review to share how Anna helped me through my entire second pregnancy and through an amazing birth!  I've been seeing Anna for several years and knew that I would re-start my weekly treatments with her as soon as I became pregnant again.  During the first trimester, I received at least one treatment a week and upped my session to twice weekly when morning sickness peaked....it definitely helped to relieve my symptoms and minimized the "rough days" during those first few months.  The second and third trimesters were relatively uneventful, but I continued my weekly treatments and credit Anna's support with a very easy, relaxed and happy pregnancy.  

I felt great throughout (even worked out at Orange Theory until my 35th week) and as I neared the end, I began having Anna treat me to prepare my body for labor.  My goal was to have a VBAC after a very challenging first labor/c-section and was seriously considering trying for a natural birth with no intervention or pain medication the second time around.   Anna supported my birth plan 110% and began treating me for natural induction (approved by my doctor) on a Friday.  The weekend came and went, and I wasn't in a huge rush because I had not yet reached my due date.  I scheduled a follow up appointment for Tuesday, and on Tuesday morning, I woke up with mild contractions that were consistent enough that they could be timed.  I decided to go ahead and go to my 11AM treatment with Anna and lasted about an hour before I felt like I wanted to head home and wait for labor to ramp up.  I worked through the day, did things around the house, went for a walk, had dinner....by the time 9PM rolled around, I was resigned to the fact that active labor wasn't starting, so I went to sleep!  I awoke at 11PM to my water breaking and active labor began immediately.  We were at the hospital 40 minutes later and I was already 10cm dilated.  Whether I liked it or not, I was going to get my wish for an epidural free labor...it was too late!  I pushed for 20-25 minutes and my son was born 1hr and 13min from the time my water had broken.  I credit Anna's treatments with the very relaxed, very easy day of "pre-labor" and do feel she had a hand in a very quick and efficient active labor.  If you are considering a natural birth, I would strongly encourage regular treatments from Anna...and as an aside, both of my babies have been super mellow out of the gate.  They feel what we feel and having treatments was great for my mind and my body during both my pregnancies.  Happy mom, happy baby!  :)  

Anna is incredible at what she does and she has been instrumental in my conception/fertility, pregnancy and now, a perfect birth story.  If you are pregnant, commit to the treatments for 9 months....your body and your baby will thank you!!

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6/13/2015  Previous review

5 STARS

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As I approach my one year "anniversary" of treatments with Anna, it's amazing to think of how far I've come since I began seeing her!  I was referred to Anna by a friend's midwife after suffering a missed miscarriage (no symptoms) around 8 weeks.  I was healthy, had no signs of a miscarriage, and was completely shocked and devastated by the news having been trying to get pregnant for quite some time.  Anna was patient, sensitive and honest about her protocol and began treating me immediately.  From a healing standpoint, both physically and emotionally, I felt better after the very first treatment.  I continued to see Anna regularly and with each treatment, received tangible results...while also avoiding a D&C procedure.  Strange as it may sound, around my 3rd or 4th treatment, I experienced what I can only describe as a cathartic emotional release, and knew that with Anna's help I'd finally let go of the pregnancy.  It was one of the most powerful experiences in recent memory, and this is coming from someone who is not particularly emotional or religious in the traditional sense.  

While I was anxious to "try again," Anna encouraged me to wait several months to allow my body to heal naturally and find balance before becoming pregnant again.  Impatient as I was, at this point I trusted Anna completely and continued treatments with her weekly/ever other week as we waited for the time to be right again.  My husband and I resumed our efforts to start our family in October/November and I was pregnant by December! 

Since becoming pregnant, I have been religious about continuing my treatments once a week.  It was an absolute non-negotiable, and I truly believe my pregnancy has been MUCH easier for it.  I  experienced almost ZERO morning sickness, my sleep has been terrific, I have felt incredible for the vast majority of my pregnancy (to the point that I was concerned in my first trimester because I was feeling so good...I was sure that something was wrong).  Of course, I have had a few minor discomforts here and there, but nothing like the horror stories you here from women and they were nothing more than a discomfort....no significant aches and pains, no debilitating morning sickness or fatigue, no crazy mood swings, and a healthy, perfect baby growing inside.  

I've continued high intensity interval training 3-4 times per week through my pregnancy, have continued to work in a demanding sales job and am having my best year ever while pregnant, and have truly marveled at times over the fact that there have been times in my pregnancy in which I have never felt better!!  In addition to the physical results from Anna's treatments, there are emotional benefits as well.  My stress levels, emotional health and well being, and just a general sense of peace and calm can all be attributed to the acupuncture I've received from Anna.  As a first time mom who had suffered a previous loss, this sense of calm is absolutely priceless. 

I'm now in my 32nd week and in the "home stretch."  You can be assured that I will continue my treatments right up until my delivery and will update when our son makes his appearance in a few short weeks.  :)