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Acupuncture
Why should I get Acupuncture during Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is an exciting and wonderful time. However, with the many physical and hormonal changes that occur, it can also be a time of discomfort. Many pregnant people suffer from fatigue, nausea, backache and other conditions that are considered a “normal” part of pregnancy. Acupuncture is a safe, gentle and effective way to address these complaints, especially since many Western medications can’t be used during this time.
Regular acupuncture during pregnancy sets the foundation for a healthy experience. In addition, those who receive acupuncture during pregnancy often have a shorter and easier birth experience than those who don’t receive acupuncture. Several European studies concluded that pregnant people who received acupuncture once a week during the last month of pregnancy had significantly shorter labors than those who did not receive any acupuncture, in addition to less medical inductions, a reduction in epidurals, a lower rate of caesarean sections, and an increase in normal vaginal births.
Pregnancy and Postpartum Conditions Treated
Some of the conditions that acupuncture can treat are:
- Pre-natal care
- Nausea, vomiting, and hyperemesis gravidarum
- Insomnia
- Low energy
- Anemia
- Anxiety/depression
- Constipation
- Heartburn
- Headaches & migraines
- Back pain and sciatica
- Symphysis pubis pain
- Pelvic girdle pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Gestational diabetes
- High blood pressure (pre-eclampsia)
- PUPPs & other pregnancy-related skin conditions
- Certain types of threatened miscarriage
- Placenta previa
- Breech presentation
- Posterior presentation
- Pre-term labor
- Delayed labor
- Labor pain
- Lactation problems
- Postpartum depression
- C-Section preparation and recovery
Is acupuncture safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Prenatal acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to help patients support a healthy pregnancy and uncomplicated delivery. You may have heard that some acupuncture points are forbidden during pregnancy. While there is no real evidence for avoiding these points mentioned in the classic texts of Traditional Chinese Medicine, they are usually avoided during pregnancy on the small chance that they might stimulate uterine contractions. A practitioner trained in prenatal acupuncture & Obstetrics, will know which points can safely be used and which should be avoided.
General Treatment Plan for Pregnancy
Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) provide specific treatments for each of the three trimesters of pregnancy: setting the foundation, maintaining balance / offering relief from common complaints, and preparing the body for labor and delivery.
Breech Presentation
The traditional Chinese medicine treatment for breech presentation has been used for thousands of years. It is successful 75% of the time and carries no risk to the mother or baby.
Labor Induction
Acupuncture for labor induction is safe for both the mother and baby as long as there are no serious complications with the pregnancy.
Postpartum Treatment
In addition to returning the body to a state of balance and optimal reproductive health, many postpartum conditions are successfully treated with acupuncture.