Pregnancy is an exciting and joyful time; however, sometimes the physical and hormonal changes your body will experience can lead to discomfort and a variety of health complaints.
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Regular acupuncture during pregnancy sets the foundation for a healthy mother and baby. In addition, women who receive acupuncture during pregnancy often have a shorter and easier birth experience than women who don't. Several European studies concluded that women who received acupuncture once a week during the last month of pregnancy had significantly shorter labor than women who did not.
What Is a Treatment Like?
Treatments are customized to each woman's specific needs. When determining her treatment plan, all aspects of her health are taken into consideration: physical, nutritional, environmental, and mental and emotional well-being. To address her main complaint one or more of the following treatment methods may be used:
- Acupuncture
- Herbal Medicine
- Homeopathic Medicine
- Nutritional Counseling
- Labor & Delivery Preparation
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Is Acupuncture Safe?
Yes. Acupuncture is a safe, gentle, and an effective way to address complaints that accompany pregnancy especially since many Western medications can't be used during this time. Prenatal acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to help patients support a healthy pregnancy and uncomplicated delivery. An Australian study conducted by Adelaide University in 2002 found that acupuncture during pregnancy had no adverse effects and was completely safe when done by a trained acupuncturist.
Can It Help Prepare Me for Labor, Delivery, & Post-Partum?
Having a good labor and post-partum plan is essential for a smooth labor, delivery, and recovery. You and your partner will be taught acupressure points to use to ease labor pain. You will also be advised which herbal medicines may be safely taken to ease the pain of birth, speed recovery after, and ensure mother's milk comes in quickly. Each mother will receive an individualized post-partum recovery plan.
Labor induction with acupuncture stimulates uterine contractions and softens the cervix. Treatment starts the natural hormone cascade that promotes the onset of labor. As a result, the effects of acupuncture are not instantaneous as they are in Western induction with pitocin. Yet it can gently and effectively promote the start of labor without increased risk of C-section.
Support for All Stages of Pregnancy:
During each phase mothers encounter different challenges. The following conditions can be effectively treated with acupuncture: |
- Nausea/Morning Sickness
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Fatigue
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Mood Swings
- Back Pain
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- Pelvic Girdle Pain
- Edema
- Water Retention
- Insomnia
- Anemia
- Pre-Term Labor
- Breech Baby
- Delayed Labor
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Post-Partum Support: |
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- Low or Excessive Milk Supply
- Mastitis
- Hormonal Imbalances
- Night Sweats
- Persistent Bleeding
- Abdominal Pain
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