About ORA Acupuncture

I never planned to become an acupuncturist.

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While living in Cardiff, Wales, with my husband, I fell pregnant with our first child.  What should have been an exciting time quickly became one of the most challenging experiences of my life.  I developed severe hyperemesis gravidarum and was hospitalised, unable to work and unable to keep anything down— not even water.  I lost a significant amount of weight, relied heavily on medication and felt incredibly unwell.

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Living away from family made it even harder. I often couldn't leave the house for weeks at a time, making it an incredibly isolating experience.   When I was seven months pregnant, we made the decision to sell our home and move to New Zealand, although I was still having to carefully manage the nausea and vomiting.

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When I became pregnant with my second child, I began to feel the familiar nausea returning.  My husband suggested I try acupuncture, knowing how difficult my first pregnancy had been.  We both knew that caring for a toddler while going through another pregnancy like my first would be incredibly tough.

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From my very first treatment, acupuncture completely changed how I felt.  I still remember walking into my appointments with a cup in my hand because I couldn't stop spitting, unable to keep even a sip of water down.  As the needles were placed, I could literally feel the nausea begin to melt away.  I continued having acupuncture throughout my pregnancies.

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I continued having acupuncture weekly throughout much of my pregnancies—not only for nausea, but also for my energy levels, emotional wellbeing and eventually labour preparation. I simply couldn't deny the difference it made.

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Those experiences changed the course of my life.

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By the time my fourth child was eight months old, I had enrolled to study acupuncture. I was breastfeeding while studying full-time and still laugh when I remember leaking milk through my top on my very first day at acupuncture school.

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I graduated at the top of my class and was honoured to receive the Pacifico Garcia Award in recognition of my academic achievement and clinical excellence.

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Today, I feel incredibly privileged to support others through fertility, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, hormonal health and pain management.  My own experiences taught me the value of feeling genuinely heard, supported and cared for.  

 

Looking back, I realise my own experience shaped the practitioner I am today. I know how vulnerable it feels to be searching for answers, and I know how much it matters to feel listened to.  That experience continues to shape every consultation at ORA Acupuncture, taking time to understand each person's story and providing thoughtful, evidence-informed care tailored to the individual.