The Benefits of Acupuncture During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey filled with excitement, anticipation, and sometimes a bit of discomfort. As your body undergoes significant changes, finding safe and effective ways to manage these changes becomes essential. One holistic approach that we truly believe in is acupuncture. Our ancient practice offers so many benefits that can help enhance your pregnancy experience.

1. Alleviating Pregnancy-Related Discomfort

Pregnancy often comes with a host of physical discomforts, including back pain, nausea, and headaches. A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that acupuncture can significantly reduce the severity of nausea and vomiting in pregnant women, particularly in the first trimester. Acupuncture points like PC6 (Neiguan) have been shown to effectively alleviate morning sickness, making this a valuable tool for many expectant mothers.

In addition, acupuncture can help relieve musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the lower back and pelvis. A systematic review of studies in Pain Medicine indicated that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for low back pain during pregnancy, offering a drug-free alternative to pain relief.

2. Reducing Stress and Anxiety

The journey of pregnancy can sometimes be overwhelming, leading to heightened levels of stress and anxiety. According to a study published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, acupuncture has been shown to significantly reduce anxiety levels in pregnant women. By promoting relaxation and enhancing overall well-being, acupuncture can help create a more positive and calm environment for both mother and baby.

Moreover, acupuncture works by stimulating the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good hormones. This not only helps with relaxation but can also improve your mood, making your pregnancy experience more enjoyable.

3. Improving Sleep Quality

Many pregnant women struggle with sleep disturbances due to physical discomfort or hormonal changes. According to research published in The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, acupuncture can help improve sleep quality and reduce insomnia. By addressing specific acupressure points, acupuncture promotes relaxation and encourages a more restful night’s sleep. Better sleep is essential during pregnancy as it aids in recovery, energy levels, and overall health.

4. Supporting Labor Preparation

As you approach your due date, acupuncture can also play a significant role in preparing your body for labor. Studies, such as one published in The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, suggest that acupuncture may help stimulate contractions and reduce the need for medical interventions during labor. In particular, acupuncture sessions in the weeks leading up to your due date can help prepare the body for an easier delivery.

Furthermore, acupuncture may help with cervical ripening and reducing anxiety around labor, contributing to a more positive birth experience.

5. Enhancing Postpartum Recovery

The benefits of acupuncture don’t end with delivery. After childbirth, acupuncture can support postpartum recovery by promoting healing and reducing fatigue. A study in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that acupuncture can effectively alleviate postpartum depression and anxiety, helping new mothers adjust to their roles and recover emotionally.

In addition, acupuncture can assist in regulating hormones and boosting energy levels, which is particularly valuable for mothers experiencing fatigue from sleepless nights.

6. A Safe and Holistic Approach

One of the significant advantages of acupuncture during pregnancy is its safety. Unlike many medications, acupuncture is non-invasive and has minimal side effects when performed by a qualified practitioner. It offers a holistic approach to managing pregnancy-related issues, addressing the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of expectant mothers.

Acupuncture can be a wonderful ally during pregnancy, providing relief from discomfort, reducing stress, and promoting overall wellness. Whether you’re struggling with morning sickness, anxiety, or sleep disturbances, this ancient practice offers a natural and effective solution.

Always consult with your healthcare provider and choose a licensed acupuncturist experienced in treating pregnant women to ensure a safe and positive experience. (Like us!)

Embrace the journey of pregnancy with the support of acupuncture and enjoy the many benefits it has to offer!

Pregnancy Acupuncture Fit For A Princess

If you don’t fancy yourself much of an Anglophile, you may not know that Prince Harry of Great Britain and his wife, the American actress Meghan Markle, have broken from royal tradition in many ways. The couple is expecting their first child, and the pregnancy and birthing process is no exception. One way in which the Duchess of Sussex is differing herself from past princesses is opting for a natural and holistic birth process. One of the key aspects of Markle’s pregnancy and birth plan has been regular acupuncture.

“Meghan has been having regular acupuncture sessions to help her unwind and relax,” someone close to the couple’s acupuncturist told Vanity Fair. “It’s brilliant for the blood circulation and boosting blood flow to the uterus. She plans to use acupuncture right up to her due date.”

Markle may be breaking from royal tradition, but from where we’re sitting she’s making a great call. One of the smartest things a mom to be can do throughout her pregnancy is receive acupuncture treatments regularly. While the above quote is accurate, acupuncture does far more than merely help circulate blood. It does that for sure, but so much more.

Pregnancy can place an incredible burden on a woman’s body. Not only is her reproductive system experiencing changes like never before, the rest of the body has to compensate for these drastic changes. Weight gain, body temperature changes, nausea are unavoidable. When we treat pregnant women, we’re not only helping the qi in their body flow freely to help with general stress and anxiety, but with all of the other side effects that this wonderful experience unfortunately also brings.

Acupuncture during pregnancy is fit for a princess…but it’s also fit for every pregnant woman, too.

Baby Overdue? Try Acu.

Anyone who is, or has been pregnant knows that pregnancy is actually not nine months — it’s  forty long weeks and sometimes (especially for first time moms) it can be even longer.  

But once you reach full term (which most doctors agree is 39 weeks and onward) you’ll probably do anything to get the baby safely born, and stat.

While certain medical conditions may require a medical induction — use of various strategies and medications to start labor when the body won’t start on its own — there are other ways to prep and prime your body for labor too, including acupuncture.

Through the process of acupuncture, the production of oxytocin can be produced, AKA the magic hormone that initiates labor. The strategic placement of acuneedles can, and often does lead to cervical ripening, dilation, and effacement which can begin the labor process for those who have not yet begun.

Acupuncture can also help to strengthen and further dilate the cervix for those in early or prodromal labor, which can last from hours to days to weeks.

Stimulating blood flow, production of oxytocin, balancing qi and promoting relaxation are all direct ways that your body can, and will respond to acupuncture while still being a safe way to induce. (As long as you are full term, that is.)  While relaxation can sound nearly impossible when you’re due date is either fast approaching or has come and gone, the state of the body really does come into play as to whether labor will begin or not.

In addition to acupuncture, acupressure (also known as reflexology) can be effective as well. Incorporated into a prenatal massage or as a standalone treatment, specific points along the body can be stimulated to help initiative or strengthen contractions throughout early labor.

When both therapies are used together, though, they typically yield productive results. 

And hey — what pregnant woman would turn down a massage?

Breech Baby? Try Acupuncture!

Saying that giving birth can be stressful is a major understatement. An expectant mother will try just about anything do to make the process physically or emotionally easier.

One thing moms-to-be have to worry about is whether their baby is in the breech position when they go into labor.

Breech position describes when the baby is bottom down. This can be problematic during the delivery, causing a number of potential difficulties. Ideally, the baby will be head down, otherwise known as the anterior position. Many babies will naturally move to the anterior position in the 7th or 8th month of pregnancy, but some finicky holdouts stay breech. Thankfully for mothers of these stubborn babies, there is a natural practice that has been turning breech babies into the preferred position successfully for centuries.

Katie, 34, found out at 34 weeks pregnant that her baby was in the breech position. Luckily, that falls right in the window of time that acupuncture and moxibustion become a viable way to safely turn the baby into the correct position. Katie had undergone acupuncture when trying to conceive, with positive results. So she decided to try again to see if it would help her baby move from the breech position.

Katie saw her acupuncturist who performed both moxibustion and acupuncture.  “The increased placental oestrogen caused by the heat from the moxa stick increases the baby’s heart rate and, in turn, encourages the baby to move around,” said Fiona Wolfendon, the acupuncturist.

As acupuncture helped Katie get pregnant, it also helped her delivery become much less stressful than it could have been.

“The baby stayed the right way round and there were no problems with the birth,” Katie said. “There were no complications and I only had a 12 hour labour.”

Sometimes babies just need a little help to make things a lot easier on mommy. Acupuncture has been providing the gentle but effective nudge successfully for a very long time, and will continue to do so in the future for moms everywhere.