Pregnancy & Postnatal Acupuncture

PREGNANCY SAFE ACUPUNCTURE

For thousands of years Chinese Medicine has treated millions of pregnant women safely and effectively. The photo here is from the 7th century showing acupuncture points on a pregnant woman. The first writings on gynecology were from over 2,500 years ago, they were inscriptions on bones and tortoise shells telling how to treat problems during childbirth. 
Acupuncture during pregnancy can bring much relief to a woman for a number of unwanted symptoms. It’s a safe, effective, non-invasive way to manage care where western medicine has little to offer. Here are a list of symptoms that can be safely and effectively treated during pregnancy. 

• Nausea and Vomiting 
• Heartburn 
• Constipation 
• Musculo - skeletal conditions 
• Fatigue and exhaustion 
• Insomnia 
• Anxiety and depression 
• Breech and posterior position 
• Pre-birth treatment to prepare the body for an efficient labor 
• Premature labor 
• Pain relief and problems during labor 
• Acupressure for labor 
• Postpartum recovery
  

Acupuncture has shown to have significant immune-modulating effects. This effect may be important in reducing the risk of rejection by the mother’s immune system in the early days as the embryo implants itself in the uterine lining and a pregnancy is established. 
Acupuncture can be used to enhance microcirculation in the uterine lining and the newly developing placenta. This may have particular importance if there is a tendency to produce clotting factors but could also be useful where that is not the case. 
In addition, regular monitoring of the pulse and regular treatment with acupuncture designed to reduce anxiety offers reassuring support during these first few weeks of pregnancy. Clinical trials have shown that regular weekly monitoring and reassurance reduces miscarriage rates. 
Acupuncture for labor preparation Also called pre-birth acupuncture begins in week 37 to help prepare the pelvis and cervix for child birth. The series is given once weekly for 4 weeks or until the woman goes into labor. 
Pregnancy & Pre-Birth Program Acupuncture can begin as soon as a woman knows she is pregnant to help to alleviate the unwanted symptoms of pregnancy and go for the first tri-mester. 
Acupuncture treatment: One treatment per week, weeks one to 12, followed by one treatment during weeks 16, 23 and week 30. Pre-birth treatments then take over one treatment per week, weeks 37 to 40 for a total of 20 treatments. 
Exercise: Walk 30 minutes 3-5 times per week. Prenatal Yoga 2+ per week. 10 minutes daily meditation