Prenatal Acupuncture
From Conception to Delivery
Pregnancy can be a time of some amazing firsts: your first positive test, your first sonogram, baby’s first kick, and--for many women--your first trip to an acupuncturist. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to help women in their journey from conception through delivery. However, many women’s introduction to acupuncture comes as a result of needing to find a drug-free alternative for treating morning sickness and nausea, fatigue, back pain, sciatica, edema, depression and other pregnancy-related issues. While issues such as these are often considered a “normal” part of pregnancy, the good news is that with acupuncture, they can be greatly lessened and in some cases, completely relieved.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture is one of the oldest and most commonly used medical procedures in the world, originating in China more than 2,000 years ago. It consists of inserting fine needles into the body at precise points to treat specific health issues. The goal of acupuncture is to restore and maintain optimum health, improve physiological function and relieve pain. In Chinese medical theory, pain and illness result when the smooth flow of your intrinsic energy or “qi” (pronounced “chee”) is hindered, whether due to internal factors such as diet, exercise, rest or emotions, or external considerations such as weather, trauma, microbes or toxins. It can even be due to the body’s response to the arrival of a new energetic entity: your growing baby. When acupuncture needles are inserted into specific points along precise energetic pathways, they help to restore the smooth flow of qi. By making energetic "suggestions", acupuncture stimulates the body’s intrinsic healing abilities, helping the patient regain energetic balance and, ultimately, material health.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture needles are made from extremely fine gauge, flexible, surgical-grade stainless steel wire. They are not much thicker than a single hair, and their insertion is practically painless. In general, when the needles are inserted you can expect to feel a light tingling sensation, a feeling of heaviness or distension, warmth or coolness, or a sensation of local numbness at the acupuncture site. These sensations are tied inextricably to the specific acupuncture point being treated as each point has its own energetic "flavor". Most acupuncture patients are surprised to discover that treatments involve little or no pain, and are usually quite relaxing. Some patients even fall asleep during treatment.
Is acupuncture safe during pregnancy?
Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and World Health Organization (WHO) as a safe, natural and drug-free way to address a wide range of health concerns. When performed by a competently trained and licensed professional, acupuncture is extremely safe, even during pregnancy. However, if you do seek acupuncture during your pregnancy, it is important to work only with a fully trained and licensed acupuncturist, and to also let your acupuncturist know that you are pregnant. Certain acupuncture points are contraindicated during pregnancy except under specific circumstances. A fully trained and licensed acupuncturist will have thorough training in when and how these points should be used, and will be able to provide you with safe, gentle and effective treatment experiences from conception through delivery.
How can acupuncture help during pregnancy?
Many women have found acupuncture to play an important part throughout their entire pregnancy. In the early stages of your pregnancy, it can help strengthen your constitution, while helping your body cope with the many hormonal and physical changes that you will experience. It can help alleviate the symptoms of morning sickness, ease fatigue, and help calm any anxiety you may be feeling. During the 2nd and 3rd trimester, acupuncture can help you cope with increasing pregnancy-related issues such as back ache, fatigue, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc. As your due date approaches, acupuncture can help you and your baby prepare for labor and delivery. It can even be used to turn a breech presentation. Acupuncture can also be used during labor to help dilate the cervix, increase uterine contractions and manage pain. However, you would need to check with your hospital or birthing center to see if your acupuncturist would be allowed to work with you in the delivery room. The frequency of treatments can vary throughout the course of a pregnancy; your acupuncturist will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
Acupuncture can effectively treat the following pregnancy-related issues:
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In addition to addressing specific pregnancy-related issues, your acupuncturist may also recommend the “Beautiful Baby” treatment, a classically-derived single point treatment given once at the end of the 1st trimester and then again at the end of the 2nd trimester. This treatment is believed to help deeply strengthen the qi of both mother and child, and is administered with a solid gold needle.
After your pregnancy, acupuncture can help your body return to a state of balance, and can also address postpartum issues such as depression, insufficient lactation, mastitis, hormonal imbalances and fatigue.
How do I find a qualified acupuncturist?
The best way to find licensed, trained and fully qualified acupuncturist is to check with your state’s acupuncture licensing board. In North Carolina, this is the North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board (www.NCALB.com). They can tell you which acupuncturists are licensed and in good standing, and can usually give you contact information.