Acupuncture offers women a natural, effective and drug-free treatment option, offering relief from a variety of issues that can arise during pregnancy.
Treatment during the first trimester focuses on laying a healthy foundation for your pregnancy. 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.
For the second and third trimesters acupuncture is commonly used to relieve discomfort that is often regarded as a ‘normal’ part of pregnancy. It can help to relieve pregnancy-related fatigue, headaches, back neck or body pains, heartburn, constipation, nausea or vomiting, dermatitis, swelling or puffiness in face or limbs, cramps and more.
After your baby is born your body must rapidly adapt to a new set of demands. Acupuncture can help your body recover from the challenges of pregnancy and childbirth.
Acupuncture may be beneficial for you after birth if you are fatigued, depressed, feverish, sweating, restless, bleeding, dizzy, constipated or in pain. It can help with mastitis and regulating your milk supply and it can also help to restart your menstruation and protect your future fertility.
Preparing for labour
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. Labour room statistics show: Acupuncture can help reduce the length of time women spend in labour, especially women having their first delivery and there is a noticeable reduction in medical intervention, including induction of labour, use of epidural anesthesia and cesarean delivery.
Inducing Labour with Acupuncture
Acupuncture offers a natural method for inducing labour. 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.
Following is a sample list of conditions that clients typically find we can help:
- Morning Sickness – nausea and vomiting
- Musculoskeletal Conditions
- Stress – anxiety and depression
- Fatigue and Exhaustion
- Back Pain
- Sleep Disturbance
- Oedema (swelling)
- Preparing for Birth
- Breech and Posterior Position
- Induction of labour
- Acupressure in birth
- Postnatal Treatment
