Acupuncture during pregnancy

Acupuncture is a safe and natural treatment during pregnancy. It can provide relief from symptoms during pregnancy and support the Mom's health so she can support the growing baby. Many pregnant women find the treatments to be deeply relaxing and therapeutic for various complaints.

 
 

Applications of Acupuncture during Pregnancy:

  • Back pain, Sciatica

  • High blood pressure

  • Nausea, Vomiting

  • Stress, anxiety

  • Headache

  • Insomnia

  • Anemia

  • Carpal Tunnel

  • Heartburn

  • Bell's Palsy

 
 

Labour Preparation & Encouragement

Labour Preparation treatments can be applied at 36 weeks to help mom's body prepare for childbirth. Points may be selected to encourage cervical ripening, promote deep relaxation, increase mom's energy, and relieve pain or discomfort. This can help prepare physically and emotionally for labour and is thought to shortening labour duration in many cases.

A note on “labour induction” with Acupuncture:

Points to help encourage labour are sometimes utilized though I personally don’t use them until the client is nearing a potential medical induction. Otherwise, it is optimal for labour to begin on its own.

 
 

Common Applications for Acupuncture during Late pregnancy and Labour: 

  • Breech or posterior positions

  • Stress

  • Fatigue, poor sleep

  • Labour preparation

  • Labour Pain & Discomfort

  • Cervical ripening

 
 

"Women who have had acupuncture preparation in the pregnancy are likely to have significantly shorter labours. This is particularly noticeable with first labours where the average length of established labour is between four and six hours. It seems that acupuncture helps to regulate contractions and women appear to labour more efficiently. The beneficial effects increase with an increased number of treatments. The number of women experiencing long latent phases of labour has now also decreased."

-Lisa Errol, Independent Midwife, New Zealand

 
 

For more information on acupuncture during pregnancy

 
 

Postpartum

The postpartum period is sometimes considered the fourth trimester.

 
 

Postpartum Acupuncture can be used for overall health, or specific complaints including:

  • Fatigue

  • Postpartum blues

  • Low milk supply

  • Digestive issues

  • Hemorrhoids

  • Nourishing 'Qi & Blood'

  • ​Re-establishing a menstrual cycle

 
 

"Acupuncture also has its uses in the postnatal period. It can assist lactation and let-down. It can also be used in the treatment of blocked milk ducts. It is useful in restoring a mother’s energy level after birth and promoting her general recovery and wellbeing. It may also be helpful in reducing the emotional swings that some women experience early and later in the postpartum period so it may have a role in reducing the likelihood of postnatal depression in susceptible women."

-Lisa Errol, Independent Midwife, New Zealand