Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can be a very helpful to support a happy and healthy pregnancy. Many women use acupuncture and natural healing modalities anywhere from once a week throughout their entire pregnancy, while others use it as conditions arise.  It can be a safe, comfortable and cost effective treatment for many problems that commonly develop during pregnancy.

How can acupuncture be used in pregnancy?

Acupuncture for a Healthy Mom & Baby: General Health/Prevention of Miscarriage, Stress Relief

Acupuncture for pregnancy related conditions:

• Anxiety/Depression
• Fatigue
• Morning Sickness
• Heartburn
• Constipation
• Hemorrhoids
• Back Pain and Sciatica
• Edema
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Rhinitis of pregnancy

Breech Presentation

Moxabustion has a high success rate to correct breech presentation. The technique is most effective between the 29th and 34th week, up to 36 weeks of pregnancy. The optimal time for effectiveness is 32-34 weeks, starting as early as possible.

Labor Preparation

Support smooth labor and delivery. When used with the appropriate timing and frequency acupuncture can be a very effective way to prepare the body for a smooth and comfortable labor and delivery. A recent study showed for women who used acupuncture regularly during their pregnancy had a decreased the time of “hard” labor.

 

The main strength of acupuncture for labor preparation is not to compete with an epidural; it is more to prolonged or eliminate the need for pain medications and decrease labor time. Many women actually won’t choose an epidural due to such quick labor time.