The story of baby Jude

I initially saw Stephanie at Acupuncture Northwest because I was stressed and saddened by my mother's terminal illness. Upon reflection of our own mortality, Darrell and I decided that the biological clock was ticking and that we were ready to conceive. Naively, I thought that because I was fairly young (34), active, and healthy, that I would conceive instantly.

After one year of trying, I decided to try the alternative methods presented by Stephanie, which included acupuncture and herbs. Initially she worked on areas to decrease stress in my life (my mother’s illness and my stressful job as an ER nurse). Then in January 2003 she started fertility-based treatments. In May 2003, I became pregnant. My mother, Judith passed away in September, and my healthy baby Jude was born February 2004.

After experiencing it firsthand, I can verify that trying to become pregnant is a stressful life event. The acupuncture and herbs prescribed by Stephanie not only facilitated my pregnancy but the treatments themselves were extremely relaxing and enjoyable. I worked with Stephanie before, during, and after my pregnancy and it was definitely a very nurturing, healing, and holistic experience.

When I look at Jude, I appreciate life in a whole new way. As a health care provider, I would highly recommend anyone who is having fertility issues to try acupuncture before seeking the expensive and invasive methods of western medicine. Thank you Stephanie for treating my stress and sadness, my fears and frustrations, and my back pain and sciatica. But most of all, thank you for facilitating the birth of baby Jude.