Patient success stories

Fertility & pregnancy

Kathy

Trying to conceive

I’ve spent a year wondering how I can ever thank you enough for all you have done for me, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I can’t! When I first came to you I was in such a ball of raw pain and hurt that I didn’t feel I would be up to socialising and going back to work within a few short weeks. But with your empathetic approach, keen ear and expertise, you were able to mend me emotionally and quickly and I soon felt like my old self again (something I hadn’t experienced for a good couple of years). Although deep down, I had been praying for some sort of miracle I thought that being healed after the traumatic journey I had been on was as much as I could realistically hope for.

So, it was the most joyous surprise to find out I was actually pregnant after only a few months of treatment with you. I don’t doubt that it was your practical help and emotional support that got me through the pregnancy in one piece and enabled me to bring my daughter into the world safely and soundly. I think you must be an angel, and I only hope that you are looked after in return for all that you give. A million thank you’s.

Amanda

Trying to conceive

I came across Caitlin when I was trying to conceive for the first time. It was taking longer than I had anticipated and so I decided to try a more holistic approach through healthy eating and acupuncture. Caitlin was fantastic from the beginning.

She offered more than just the acupuncture treatments (which were excellent and very relaxing). Caitlin and her colleague, Rachael, offered space to talk, very helpful advice, support and perspective when I was struggling to stay positive. I had 8 acupuncture treatments which I feel helped prepare me better both mentally and physically for pregnancy.

A month or so after my last treatment I discovered I was pregnant, after 8 months of trying. It’s still early days but I’m delighted and grateful to Caitlin and Rachael for the support they gave me.

Hazel

OHSS

I cannot recommend Caitlin highly enough. After having IVF I suffered with a condition called Ovarian Hyperstimulation which put me in hospital.

Caitlin Allen had been recommended to me by a friend who had been when she had been previously struggling to conceive. I visited Caitlin and her colleague, Rachael, and found them to be extremely knowledgeable (bearing in mind the midwifes I’ve seen have not known anything about the condition!) , empathetic and supportive.

On my first visit, I had been unable to sleep for about a week due to the level of discomfort and because I couldn’t breathe properly. I was astonished to find that I fell asleep whilst being treated! I also left with improved breathing immediately and this continued to improve.

Caitlin has helped my to get on track with a healthy pregnancy and been extremely supportive. She listens carefully and takes time with every customer so you never feel rushed. I have also found that she never pushes further treatment and actively encourages you to see how you feel and then see if you need to go again which is refreshing.

I will have no hesitation in returning should I need to again and would recommend to anyone who is trying to conceive, who is pregnant or has general health concerns, sleep issues etc to visit Caitlin and Rachael.

Kim

3rd IVF Cycle

I came to Caitlin around a year ago after being recommended by a friend and as I was due to start my third cycle of IVF. I knew that Caitlin specialised in acupuncture for fertility and thought it was worth trying. I straight away noticed a difference after the first couple of sessions and therefore continued throughout my IVF cycle.

I am thrilled to say that I am one week away from giving birth and honestly believe that Caitlin has made a huge difference in the treatment being successful for me and my husband. It has been wonderful to share such a personal experience with Caitlin and I thank her from the bottom of my heart for listening, caring, and helping us achieve our dream!!!!

Leigh

Breech presentation

What can I say Caitlin is both skilled in acupuncture and has a lovely warm energy. I would like to thank her so much for the treatments I received during my pregnancy.

Also for the emotional space she provided that enabled me to process the unfolding events. She was both supportive and positive when at 38 weeks it was discovered our baby was in a breech position and a manual ecv was unsuccessful. We continued with the acupuncture treatments and moxibustion at home and went for another ecv at 39+6 and our 9lb 9 baby boy turned heads down.

We then went on to have the perfect homebirth we had originally planned for our family. I have no doubt that the treatments Caitlin provided were a key part in helping my baby turn. Thank you.

Abbie

Post natal depression

After doing some research online, I started seeing Caitlin in January 2008 for fertility related acupuncture and after a couple of treatments found out I was pregnant. This was the first thing I had to thank Caitlin for.

I now have a beautiful one year old daughter but unfortunately have suffered with post natal depression since the birth. It took 10 long months for me to be diagnosed and during that time I honestly thought there was something ‘wrong with me’ as I didn’t feel about my child as all the other mums claimed to feel about theirs. To let you in on a secret – some days I thought that my daughter had ruined my life to such an extent that it wasn’t worth living anymore. At the time I thought I was a despicable person for thinking such a thing but didn’t realise I was ill.

Due to my reluctance to take anti depressants, I contacted Caitlin 2 months ago as I didn’t know where else to turn and couldn’t continue feeling as I did. I was over the moon to find out that I was ill because it meant there was light at the end of the tunnel and that one day I would enjoy life again and look forward to things.

Caitlin has been fantastic. Her understanding and empathy is limitless and she made me feel ‘normal’ regardless of what I told her. The acupuncture seems to have worked wonders because I now feel like my old self and am enjoying life again. That’s not to say that there weren’t any moments of sheer despair along the way but on days like that I was able to ring Caitlin and go for additional treatment at short notice. This is the second thing I have to thank Caitlin for.

I genuinely don’t believe that I would have conceived without Caitlin’s help or that I would have overcome my post natal depression so successfully in such a short space of time. Thank you so much – I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me.

Alison

Trying to conceive second child

I initially contacted Caitlin as I had been trying to conceive my second child for 15 months with no success. I had been seeing a consultant who is highly experienced in the fertility field and he basically told us we had unexplained infertility. My first child took three years to conceive, again we were diagnosed with unexplained fertility, I felt the years were passing me by and I felt I just couldn’t "leave it to nature and see what happens".

I’d read quite a lot about acupuncture to increase fertility in my collection of books I had acquired. I thought to myself, what have I got to lose, its worth a try, as basically this was my last resort before embarking on IVF.

On the initial consultation I was very nervous because I have a fear of needles. After chatting to Caitlin for a while I started to feel more relaxed and comfortable. She said she would see how I reacted to a small number of needles. I honestly didn’t even feel the needles being put in.  I was then left to relax on the couch with relaxing music and an interesting light to look at on the ceiling which again I found very relaxing. After my first session I felt a feeling of positive energy throughout my body and a complete feeling of lightness – almost like walking on air. This lasted for two weeks. I had two further sessions with Caitlin and low and behold, I fell pregnant!

I am now 13 weeks into my pregnancy and can’t praise Caitlin’s services enough. In fact I’ve recommended her to a couple of my friends who are trying to conceive at the moment. I truly believe that without Caitlin’s help I would still be on the stressful journey of trying to conceive. I think the extra relaxation I felt after the sessions and the general re-balancing of my hormones the acupuncture provided has been the key to success for myself. Thanks a lot Caitlin!