Acupuncture for Pregnancy & Birth Support
Acupuncture can treat a wide range of pregnancy-related conditions while pre-birth acupuncture treatments can help reduce inductions or birth complications.
Acupuncture For Pregnancy, Auckland
Whangaparaoa (Hibiscus Coast) + Northcote (North Shore)
Acupuncture has become the first in line natural treatment for a wide range of pregnancy-related symptoms such as morning sickness, sciatica, insomnia, heartburn, shortness of breath, and many others. Studies also show that acupuncture can help reduce the risk of miscarriage. Our goal is to make your health, as well as the health of your baby, THE biggest priority throughout your pregnancy.
Pre-birth acupuncture treatments are also available to reduce the chances of inductions or birth complications.
Pregnancy
While pregnant you may find that acupuncture TCM can help in various ways.
Studies also demonstrate its efficacy with significant medical issues such as preventing miscarriage, slow intrauterine development, lack of amniotic fluid, pre-term labour, haemorrhaging, and breech presentation.
The Benefits of Acupuncture throughout PREGNANCY:
Increase the blood flow to the ovaries
Nourish developing follicles, egg quality and embryos.
Relax the body and reduce stress
levels to prevent early uterine contractions.
Common FIRST TRIMESTER SYMPTOMS treated with ACUPUNCTURE:
Nausea and morning sickness
Prevention of miscarriage
Fatigue
Mood swings
Morning sickness (or Hyperemesis Gravidarum when acute) particularly is a pregnancy discomfort that affects more than half of all pregnant women. Symptoms frequently begin in the early hours of the morning, however, they may occur at any time of the day.
Several studies have documented the use of acupuncture to combat nausea and vomiting. A randomised, placebo-controlled crossover study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management has found that acupuncture can ease the symptoms of morning sickness and that acupuncture has a "clinically useful effect" in treating hyperemesis.
How Can Chinese Medicine Support Pregnancy?
The usage of TCM during pregnancy is very common for Chinese people. “Oriental medicine is a non-invasive healing modality that facilitates the body’s natural ability to heal itself by restoring harmony and balance to the entire individual. […] Chinese medicine intervenes early-when signs of imbalance occur, prior to significant physical damage to the body.”
Throughout your pregnancy, amongst treating specific ailments, we will be helping you stay healthy and comfortable by providing support for your particular set of physical and emotional changes as they occur.
Common SECOND TRIMESTER SYMPTOMS treated with ACUPUNCTURE
Headaches and migraines
Back pain/sciatica
Digestive problems, heartburn/constipation
Dizziness
Shortness of breath
Insomnia
Common THIRD TRIMESTER SYMPTOMS treated with ACUPUNCTURE
Back pain/sciatica
Haemorrhoids
Carpal-tunnel syndrome
Skin rashes
Anxiety/stress
Breech presentation
Pre-Birth preparation
Labour induction
TMC represents a less intrusive form of treatment during pregnancy and childbirth. Due to the potential for side effects from pharmaceuticals, many midwives and expectant mothers find it to be an effective alternative.
There are various ways Pre-Birth Acupuncture Treatments can help with childbirth
Pre-birth acupuncture refers to a series of treatments in the final weeks of pregnancy to prepare women for childbirth. Typically, 3-6 acupuncture sessions between weeks 35-40 to get you ready and in optimal health for the birth of your child.
Studies show that pre-birth acupuncture treatments can lead to timely labour, fewer birth complications and better health for mother and baby. Treatments are aimed at:
Thinning and dilating the cervix
Ensuring optimal positioning of the baby
Supporting the immune system
Reducing anxiety and stress in mothers
Relief of haemorrhoid/vulvar varicosities
Increasing the energy needed for labour
Supporting healthy digestion
Maternity Care For You
“Pregnancy is a process that invites you to surrender to the unseen force behind all life.”
Get in touch.
Still unsure if acupuncture for pregnancy or childbirth is for you?
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Breech Presentation
If your baby is in a breech position and has not yet turned head-down by 33 weeks, you might want to consider acupuncture and moxibustion treatments.
To correct breech presentation the protocol is to burn a Chinese herb, moxa (dried mugwort), close to the skin on the toes of both feet.
In a 1998 study published in The Journal of American Medication Association (6), the women who received moxibustion had a 75.4% breech turn rate in comparison to 47.7% in the control group.
“Traditional Chinese medicine uses moxibustion (burning herbs to stimulate acupuncture points) of acupoint BL 67 (Zhiyin, located beside the outer corner of the fifth toenail), to promote version of fetuses in breech presentation”
Induction
At week 40, or after, acupuncture treatment is shifted to support the natural release of the hormone cascade which brings labour.
Cervical ripening is continued, along with contraction encouragement, and increasing blood flow to the uterus and placenta.
Reduction of anxiety and quieting the mind helps tremendously for allowing the body to do what it’s meant to do….birth a baby!
At this time women may be seen for 1-3 daily treatments in succession, following the induction protocol, to help bring on labour.
This treatment protocol is not given for social induction (without medical necessity), and is usually done when the woman is up against a mandated timeline/date for when she must be in labour.
The hope is that this is not needed, and pre-birth is recommended in order to help prevent this.
Miscarriage
Most early pregnancy loss, miscarriage, occurs in the first trimester.
The incidence among clinical pregnancies is about 12-15%, but including early pregnancy losses, it is more like 17-22%. That is about 1 in 7 pregnancies. It is estimated that as many as 60% of pregnancies are lost before the woman even knows she’s pregnant.
20% of women will bleed in/throughout their pregnancy. Western Medicine and practice have little to offer, women are commonly told to wait and see. Once the pregnancy reaches 12 weeks the chance of miscarriage decreases to 5%.
Studies show that acupuncture can help reduce the risk of miscarriage, while also providing structure and support to women during an incredibly challenging time. Research published by the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine suggests the efficacy of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of recurrent pregnancy losses, although more exhaustive research is needed to prove the effectiveness of TCM as a treatment.
Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL)
Although the cause of miscarriage is often unknown, the most viable explanation in western medicine is chromosomal abnormalities. There is a high correlation between maternal/paternal age and the risk of miscarriage. Sadly, miscarriages are more common in those who have suffered previous miscarriages.
Acupuncture has been used to prevent and treat miscarriage for thousands of years. Whether you have a history of miscarriage, are newly pregnant and worried, or have begun bleeding while pregnant acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can provide support. Treatment plans usually revolve around acupuncture, moxibustion, herbs and supplements. Support and care are invaluable at this time.
Acupuncture For Postpartum
The acupuncture treatments available postpartum are:
Insufficient Lactation
Mastitis
Abdominal cramping & pain
Constipation
Stops bleeding
Hormone balancing
Haemorrhoids
Irregular sweating
Low energy
Postpartum Depression & Anxiety
As depression and anxiety become more recognised, with increasing numbers of women seeking out treatment and care, there has been more attention towards safe and effective treatment options for pregnant women.
The two studies below show promise for the treatment of depression and anxiety in pregnancy with acupuncture. Additionally, both studies demonstrate the importance of individualised care and treatment, the safety of acupuncture in pregnancy, and the positive responses from women who received care.
Women’s experiences of having depression during pregnancy and receiving acupuncture treatment - A qualitative study
Simone M. Ormsby, Hannah G. Dahlen, Caroline A. Smith
Acupuncture for depression during pregnancy: a randomized control trial.
Manber R, Schnyer RN, Lyell D, Chambers AS, Caughery AB, Druzin M, Carlylr E, Celio C, Gress JL, Huang MI, Kalista T, Martin-Okada R, Allen JJ
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Don’t hesitate to contact me if you’ve got more questions to ask beforehand: megan@integrativeacupuncture.co.nz