Pregnancy

Acupuncture is an amazing drug-free alternative that can help to make your life more comfortable as your baby grows and develops

HOW CAN ACUPUNCTURE HELP?

Pregnancy is an incredible and life-altering experience, but can bring many unwanted symptoms and conditions that left unchecked can seriously disrupt daily life.

Fatigue, morning sickness, threatened miscarriage, pelvic pain, back pain, labour and pre-birth preparation, high blood pressure, shoulder pain, migraines, anxiety and depression

TREATMENT

  • Treatment frequency varies, depending on which trimester you are in and what support you require.

  • Morning sickness requires a minimum of weekly treatments until symptoms dissipate

  • Labour preparation typically begins at 36 weeks - weekly or 2/weekly treatments until birth.

     

ACUPUNCTURE HELPS WITH…

  • Acupuncture can help to reduce reliance on prescription medications for nausea and other conditions

  • Studies have shown acupuncture to be more successful at reducing pelvic and back pain compared to physiotherapy.

  • Pre-birth acupuncture has also been clinically shown to reduce pain during labour and reduce the amount of pain medication required - this is amazing!

  • A course of acupuncture treatments in the first trimester has been shown to reduce incidence of postpartum depression

  • Acupuncture can help with lactation and pain following labour

Acupuncture Treatment for Nausea

Nausea and/or vomiting in pregnancy tend to be more dominant in the first trimester. If more severe in nature, treatments 2/week for 2-3 weeks can successfully reduce nausea and improve appetite. For maintenance and to support healthy digestion and absorption of nutrients, weekly treatments are often enough. I also recommend passing off the cooking to your partner – if they love to cook it’s their time to shine, if they are just learning it’s their time to shine as well! It’s your time to rest and focus on yourself, your baby and being healthy. 

It’s also important to be open to modifying your diet and listening to your body. 

In 2002, the journal “Birth” concluded that “Acupuncture is an effective treatment for women who experience nausea and dry retching in early pregnancy. “

A study from the “Journal of Pain and Symptom Management” found that “acupuncture produced no side effects,  increased food intake, reduced vomiting, and produced a significantly faster reduction in nausea with patients who had real acupuncture.”

Treatment: If you are experiencing daily nausea that is preventing you from nourishing your body and your baby, it may be necessary to have treatment 2-3 times per week until the symptoms become more manageable. If the symptoms are more manageable and it is not preventing you from eating, sleeping or working, weekly treatments are often sufficient to help reduce nausea and improve your appetite. 

It is also important to connect with your primary care provider or nutritionist to make sure you have the support you require. Supplementation with vitamin B6 can often be a successful treatment in combination with acupuncture, and the option of prescription medication should also be considered if recommended by your doctor.

Acupuncture to Help with Sleep

Sleep disturbances and insomnia are often a serious issue in pregnancy, and can affect a woman’s quality of life and overall health. As the pregnancy moves forward, sleep issues tend to amplify, with worse sleep coming into and towards the end of the thirst trimester. 

Research suggests that acupuncture treatments can naturally increase melatonin levels, leading to a healthier circadian rhythm and more restful sleep. Better sleep means a better immune system, less anxiety and mood swings, and balanced appetite and metabolism.

A study from the Nature and Science of Sleep Journal, with 72 women found that “acupuncture treatment significantly improves the sleep quality in pregnant women”

Treatment: If you are not sleeping well every night, it is recommended to start with 2/week treatments and when sleep starts to improve, reduce treatments to weekly or biweekly. For maintenance many people will come for a sleep treatment on a monthly basis. 

Acupuncture for Pain during Pregnancy

Pain in pregnancy can take on many forms. Typically the first trimester is relatively pain free, but unfortunately it is common for women to experience chronic or acute pain that is unusual or specific to their pregnancy. 

Acupuncture is an excellent, drug free choice to manage and reduce pain during pregnancy, including pelvic pain, lower back or lumbar pain, shoulder/neck pain, headaches, carpal tunnel. 

Treatment: depends greatly on the severity and onset of pain. Generally 2/week for 2 weeks can successfully reduce discomfort and acute pain. Following an initial course as outlined, ongoing weekly treatments 

Treating Pain in Pregnancy with Acupuncture: Observational Study Results from a Free Clinic in New Zealand – Elizabeth Soliday, Debra Betts. Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, Volume 11, Issue 1, February 2018, Pages 25-30