Acupuncture for Pregnancy
Beneficial in All Your Trimesters
Acupuncture is based on the theory that the body consists of various acupuncture points which are connected through pathways, called meridians. In these meridians, a vital energy called qi (pronounced "chee") flows throughout the body. An unhealthy lifestyle, poor diet, lack of exercise, stress, the environment, emotional or psychological issues, toxins, or hereditary can cause an imbalance of qi resulting in symptoms or illness. To correct the imbalance, acupuncture uses very fine, flexible, disposable needles to stimulate specific points on the meridians. The meridians and acu-points restore balance and help the body maintain its own health.
Before, During and After Pregnancy
Acupuncture is an ideal form of treatment before, during and after pregnancy. It offers women a drug-free option for many problems that may arise from conception, pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Regular acupuncture treatments throughout pregnancy can enhance the health and well-being of the mother. It can also help prevent complications during pregnancy and influence the development of the baby. Research shows that acupuncture can be helpful with many of the conditions that may develop during pregnancy.
During the first trimester, treatment will focus on creating a healthy foundation for your pregnancy. Treatments will focus on the prevention of miscarriage and relieve any early symptoms of pregnancy, such as morning sickness, vomiting, and nausea. A recent Australian study in the journal, Birth, reports that those who received traditional acupuncture reported having less frequent and shorter periods of nausea than the women who received no acupuncture.
Second trimester treatments will maintain balance and address conditions that may develop during this time. Some of the conditions that acupuncture can assist with are sciatic pain, migraines, constipation, hemorrhoids, urinary tract infections, fatigue, anemia, insomnia, anxiety, depression, sinusitis, neck, and back pain. Acupuncture is a safe, gentle, and effective way to treat these problems, especially since many Western medications cannot be used during pregnancy.
Acupuncture during the third trimester will prepare the body for labor and delivery. Treatment will address any conditions that may arise during this trimester, such as edema, carpel tunnel, insomnia, and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Acupuncture can also be used for breech presentation. For centuries in China, moxibustion has been used to turn breech babies. Moxibustion involves burning the herb, mugwort, over an acupuncture point on the little toe, producing a gentle heat. This gentle heat helps increase fetal activity, relax the uterine muscle layer, and increase blood flow to the uterine and umbilical arteries to promote the proper turning of the baby. This treatment is most effective at 32 to 36 weeks and should only be used in healthy pregnancies. Acupuncture can also help stimulate contractions without the use of drugs to induce labor. Treatment for labor induction can be given after week 39, if there are no complications with the pregnancy.
The new mother should continue to receive acupuncture treatment after delivery. Postpartum is one of the most critical times for a woman to receive regular preventative care. The new mother’s health is often neglected as she focuses on her newborn. It is imperative for her well-being and her ability to take care of her newborn, to take some time to replenish and rejuvenate her body. In our society today, few new mothers have the luxury of resting after childbirth. Most women need to return to taking care of their family or return to work before their bodies have had a chance to fully recover from the birth experience. This may lead to further health issues down the road, which is why acupuncture during the postpartum period is so important. Acupuncture can help with the following conditions after birth: fatigue, postpartum depression, mastitis, insufficient or excessive lactation, and post-operative healing.
Finding a Practitioner
The National Institutes of Health reports ever increasing use of acupuncture by thousands of doctors, dentists and other practitioners to treat or prevent many illnesses. Acupuncture is a licensed and regulated healthcare profession in the United States by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). NCCAOM Board Certified acupuncturists complete over 3,000 hours of training in acupuncture and oriental medicine and must pass a national exam to become NCCAOM certified. Some states require additional examinations and state licensing, but it varies from state to state. In states not requiring state licensing, patients should seek practitioners who are certified by the NCCAOM. Also, contact the acupuncturist to see if they have experience and are comfortable working with pregnant woman. Beyond checking credentials, the best assurance is a referral from satisfied patients