Acupuncture
During Pregnancy
First
Trimester
Acupuncture
during the first trimester focuses on laying a healthy foundation for your
pregnancy. Treatment is given to help divert your resources to nourishing your
baby and to support the rapid growth of the baby, the womb and lining. The
signs that indicate you need this support include fatigue, dizziness, heaviness
in back or limbs, body aches, nausea, vomiting, or spots of vaginal bleeding.
During your
first 12 weeks treatment is most commonly given to prevent miscarriage, to
encourage growth in a small-for-dates baby OR to resolve early pregnancy
symptoms, such as nausea and fatigue.
Morning
sickness
If your
nausea is mild, small dietary adjustments may be enough to manage it. If your
nausea is more debilatating then acupuncture can change your digestive system
to benefit both you and your baby. If you are regularly vomiting then you may
be compromising nourishment of yourself, as well as your baby – in this case
acupuncture can be vital to you both.
Research
shows acupuncture reduces nausea and benefits the mother from the first
treatment. Acupuncture treatment is carried out twice in the first week then
followed up with a weekly session until symptoms resolve.
Specific acupuncture
points are used to harmonise the stomach, regulate digestion and rebalance the
body. Chinese herbal tonics may be offered in addition to the acupuncture
treatment, if necessary.
FatigueAcupuncture
will optimise your fuel
production and your sleep to maintain you in the best shape throughout your
pregnancy.
Evidence
shows acupuncture provides a substantial and positive increase in energy levels
for all expectant mothers. Acupuncture nourishes the mother and supports her to
safely carry to full term by enhancing the production of blood and promoting
optimal function of the internal organs.
If there is an underlying reason for
fatigue, such as nausea preventing nourishment or sciatica preventing sleep,
acupuncture treats the root cause of the problem and thereby restores energy.
Threatened
miscarriageA miscarriage
is threatened when there are signs such as vaginal bleeding, aches in the lower
back and/or abdominal cramps. This could be a terminal threat to your
pregnancy. These signs are a warning that the lining of the uterus is breaking
down. If contacted at the earliest sign, your acupuncturist may be able to
protect the baby and stop the bleeding.
Acupuncture
is carried out twice within a week and then once a week till the pregnancy is
safely established. Chinese herbs taken as a tea are added to the treatment if
necessary, to strengthen the uterus and support the pregnancy. Acupuncture and
Chinese herbs may need to be continued throughout the entire pregnancy.
Second Trimester
Once your
placenta is established your digestion improves with a resulting increase in
energy. Many women enjoy pregnancy without concerns in the second trimester and
do not require acupuncture support.You may seek
acupuncture during the second trimester to maintain energy or address ongoing
complaints from the first trimester.
Third Trimester
Turning a
breech baby
Acupuncture
can relax the muscles in the uterus and abdomen, while regulating the movements
of the womb to create the ideal conditions for the baby to turn.For thousands
of years Traditional Chinese medicine has been used for the treatment of breech
presentation.
It is successful 70 per cent of the time and carries no risk to
mother or baby. Treatment involves combining acupuncture with moxabustion (heat
which is applied to the end of acu-needles is gently transmitted into the
body).
Treatment is generally carried out between weeks 32 to 36 when there is
still room for the baby to turn. When successful the baby will turn within 24
hours of the treatment. Moxabustion techniques are taught to the mother to do
at home. Breech or posterior babies may turn from the first session.
Preparing for
labor
A weekly
session of acupuncture at the end of your pregnancy helps focus your energy on
the task to be performed. Midwives tell us that women having treatment have
more efficient contractions, their cervix softens and opens smoothly and the
pelvic ligaments do not strain.
Labor room statistics show: Acupuncture reduces
the length of time women spend in labor, especially women having their first
delivery and there is a noticeable reduction in medical intervention, including
induction of labor, use of epidural anesthesia and cesarean delivery.
Inducing labor
with acupuncture
Acupuncture
offers a safe and natural method for inducing labor. Once your baby is ready,
an acupuncture treatment can stimulate the changes necessary to trigger the
delivery process.
Treatment is given while you remain upright or are seated
comfortably. Your acupuncturist will assess what may be limiting your delivery
and treat you accordingly. Research has shown a success rate of 88 per cent in
stimulating labor in overdue mothers.
After the
Birth (Post Partum)
Your
acupuncturist can provide some support for your physical and mental recovery.
If you cannot have bedrest then some blood tonics can prevent months of
fatigue, mood swings, jagged sleep, colds and fevers.
Treatment to improve
blood circulation, after the birth, will result in a good quality breast milk
supply which can calm, satisfy and nourish your new baby. A well-fed baby will
also enable you to rest and recover more effectively.
Acupuncture
also offers solutions to common post-natal complaints such as insufficient
lactation, urination difficulty, abdominal cramps, bleeding, hair loss,
constipation, fever, post natal depression, night sweats and mastitis.
