Acupuncture during Pregnancy
Pregnancy
is a wonderful time for a woman but for some women the hormonal and physical changes involved can create much discomfort and
disruption. Conditions such as morning sickness, heartburn, sciatica and symphysis
pubic pain are considered to be part and parcel of a ‘normal’ pregnancy but can have a huge impact on a pregnant
woman’s lifestyle. Acupuncture provides a safe, effective and drug-free
solution to many of these challenges.
Acupuncture
can provide relief for a wide range of conditions in pregnancy. These include:
•
Nausea and vomiting
• Heartburn
• Constipation
• Varicose veins
• Urinary tract infections
•
Musculoskeletal conditions
• Fatigue and exhaustion
• Anaemia
• Insomnia
• Anxiety and
depression
• Thrush and abnormal vaginal discharge
• Itching in pregnancy
• Sinusitis
•
Pregnancy-induced hypertension
• Oedema
• Small for dates babies
• Breech and posterior positioned
babies
•
Pre-birth treatment
•
Labour induction
•
Post-partum recovery
• Threatened miscarraige
Response
to acupuncture treatment during pregnancy seems to be particularly quick and often just a couple of sessions are required. However, for more persistent complaints it may be necessary to have weekly treatment
for a while.
Pre-birth treatment to prepare the body
for an efficient labour
Having a series of weekly acupuncture sessions can enhance the prospects of an efficient labour. Treatment is given weekly between 36 & 40 weeks and focuses on boosting the mother’s
energy for labour, softening the cervix and dealing with any niggles such as sleeplessness or backache. We also encourage the woman’s partner or support person to attend one of these sessions to learn
acupressure points to use during the labour to help with pain relief.
Data on 169 women was gathered by 14 midwives
as part of their midwifery practice in Wellington, New Zealand. It found that when comparing all caregivers (Midwives GP's
and Specialists) to those women who had received pre-birth acupuncture there was:
-
An overall 35% reduction in the number of inductions (for
women having their first baby this was a 43% reduction)
-
A 31% reduction in the epidural rate.
-
When comparing midwifery only care to women receiving prebirth
acupuncture there was a 32% reduction in emergency caesarean delivery and a 9 % increase
in normal vaginal births.
-
There was no difference in the onset of early labour in those
women receiving pre-birth acupuncture.
Breech
Position
For Breech Position
Acupuncture can also help turn a breech position baby. Ideally
we want to see the mother between 34 and 36 weeks with confirmation of the position from the midwife.
Treatment generally involves one or two treatments
and the mother is taught how to apply moxa treatment at home on a daily basis.
Labour Induction
For those women that go to 41 weeks we can also
provide treatment to encourage labour to commence naturally. Acupuncture provides a valuable alternative to western medical
induction which involves strong drugs therapy which increases the need for intervention during labour.
