Acupuncture in Pregnancy

ACUPUNCTURE IN PREGNANCY

Acupuncture can be really useful in pregnancy both in dealing with pregnancy related conditions, in preparing for birth, during labour and for post natal conditions. At a time when medication is often undesirable it offers an extremely safe and effective alternative treatment which is also relaxing and calming. Its lack of side effects is one of its greatest strengths. Acupressure in labour is particularly useful as it can be easily taught to your birth partner.

WHAT CAN IT HELP

Acupuncture can be used to treat most pregnancy related conditions plus any pre-exisiting conditions for which you can no longer take medication.

Acupuncture can help with bleeding during pregnancy however you must consult your midwife or doctor prior to asking for help with this. It is useful if you can bring your ante natal notes with you and it is advisable to make your midwife aware of the fact that you are having acupuncture treatment.

PRE BIRTH TREATMENT

Weekly acupuncture from 36 weeks helps to promote a natural and efficient labour. Research has shown it to:

INDUCTION

Acupuncture can be used to induce overdue babies by kick starting the natural birth process. There are some contraindications for this and so this is an area for discussion with your acupuncturist and medical team.

I believe it is much more effective to have pre birth preparation treatments in the weeks before your due date but failing that, have them as soon as you are overdue. Unless the cervix is sufficiently ripe contractions will be more difficult to maintain whether they are induced by acupuncture or drugs. There is usually still time to try induction treatment should it still be necessary and these treatments will give it a greater chance of success.

Having said that, I do believe it is always worth trying. The anecdotal evidence from midwives in New Zealand who use this treatment regularly, is that even if labour itself is not established, treatment still seems to prepare the womb and cervix making the conventional induction process more effective and less uncomfortable.

ACUPRESSURE IN LABOUR

I believe this one area that could help virtually everyone. It is incredibly simple, easy to learn and can be used effectively by your birth partner. In fact they welcome the chance to do something positive to help you!

It has been shown to significantly reduce pain and bring a sense of calm. It can help to restart a stalled labour and maintain contractions. Women who have used this method have reported a high level of satisfaction with their birth experience and midwives using these techniques believe them to promote an efficient labour.

Acupressure is easily learnt. Information is downloadable from the internet using the link below, but a short training session with an acupuncturist is invaluable and gives your partner the confidence to apply acupressure effectively.

Link: www.acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz

POST NATAL ACUPUNCTURE

For centuries East Asian medicine has regarded pregnancy as a potentially draining process and has developed routine restorative post natal treatments. In the West we seem to expect everyone to be a super-mum and bounce back immediately! It is considered to take 30 - 100 days to recover fully. Post birth treatment can start from about a week after delivery. It can be used to just rebuild your consitution or for specific problems such as:

Trisha Farrow Acupuncture

ACUPUNCTURE IN PREGNANCY