We received this testimonial from a woman we worked with who once struggled with infertility, but recently gave birth to a healthy baby boy. We were very moved by her story and wanted to share it with you in hopes it would inspire others who are experiencing a similar journey.
I first met Julie in the Fall/Summer of 2012 after I had a miscarriage.
After my miscarriage I asked my OB’s group to do an infertility work up. It was likely a little early in the game but I had an inkling something was wrong. During this work up they found that I had a day 3 FSH of ~20 (I was only 31 years old at the time), meaning Premature Ovarian Failure or Diminished Ovarian Reserve. My OB said they couldn’t help me any further and recommended that I see a Reproductive Endocrinologist. After this I saw 2 different REs, both saying it would be very difficult and if anything “very unlikely for us to conceive again on our own” without a donor egg. Not even IVF was an option. I even asked them “How did I get pregnant the first time?” and they responded that I just got lucky. I went on to thinking that I would never be that lucky again. I had my AMH tested and it was undetectable, further supporting the POF/DOR diagnosis. Had an AFC done, and the RE said there might’ve been 2-3 follicles, but nothing close to normal.
I was 31 and headed towards menopause!!! In the meantime I also found out that I had Hashimoto’s disease/hypothyroidism. I came to Selby Acupuncture through the recommendation of my primary care provider. She thought that I needed stress relief, and I did. Looking back, I was most definitely clinically depressed. I cried everyday thinking I would never be a mom in a way that I thought I would be one day. I would scream into my pillow “Why? Why? Why?” whenever left alone. I felt like a failure as a woman…as a wife.
Then I met Julie. She walked me through what acupuncture and special teas could do to help me. She started treating me and I started to have some hope. I saw her regularly and I think I cried at nearly every appointment, and she was there for me. Julie continued to offer me hope and encouraged us to keep trying naturally. Eventually, I made a plan with my fertility doctor to start with high dose injectable medicines (what is normally needed for patients with my diagnosis) along with intrauterine insemination. I was to begin during my December 2012 cycle. However, while scheduling for insemination and various other ultrasounds…I became pregnant. And Julie was one of the few people who I couldn’t wait to tell.
Looking back a year later…I’m very thankful that I have crossed paths with Julie and Selby Acupuncture. I don’t think I would have my precious baby boy without Julie (and my husband of course). She gave me hope when there was none, and made me the luckiest mommy in the world.
We are honored to be able to work with this woman, and all of the others that have come through our door. In deepest gratitude to all of our patients, both past and present, thank you for sharing your stories and your trust. We truly have the best job in the world.