Acupuncture is very safe to use while pregnant, and can be used from the first week of pregnancy to give support, right up until labour commences. It can also be used to support the birth process and the mother’s recovery after the birth.
Support during Pregnancy
Acupuncture when used during pregnancy has been found to help with the following:
- Sciatica, and Symphysis Pubic pain and back pain
- Migraines and headaches
- Morning sickness and hyperemesis
- Asthma and bronchitis, common cold and flu
- Kidney complaints
- Blood pressure
- Fatigue and insomnia
- Restless legs, itching, varicose veins
- Turning of Breech Baby – use of Moxibustion (herb)
- Energetic and psychological preparation for Labour and Parenthood
- Induction of labour
Support during Labour
Acupuncture when used in early labour and\or throughout labour has been found to:
- Reduce anxiety and panic, thereby helping to create a stronger sense of empowerment
- Stabilise blood pressure
- Make painful contractions more manageable
- Enable contractions to be more efficient and become more rhythmic, reducing the need for syntocinon (the intravenous hormone used in process of induction) and other intervention
- Help in the delivery of the afterbirth (placenta) reducing the risk of haemorrhaging.
Post-natal Acupuncture
Post-natal acupuncture helps with the following:
- To calm the mind and to bring the hormonal, nervous and energetic systems back into balance
- Prevention of post-natal depression, and exhaustion
- To establish lactation
- General recovery
- Recovery, physically and psychologically, after miscarriage.