Acupuncture for Easeful Pregnancies
Published on November 17, 2022 by Dr. Caitlin Gordon
Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment to relieve many uncomfortable symptoms during pregnancy AND improve the overall health of the baby!
The better you feel, the better the baby feels. There are many correlations between emotional and physical health and fetal development. If you are stressed or depressed, it can have negative influences on the neuro and motor development and long term behavioral outcomes. So, let’s look at some ways acupuncture can help you feel your best for a healthy, easeful pregnancy.
Preconception
It’s a good idea to start acupuncture when you’re trying to conceive.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine can help with:
- Ovary function
- Hormone regulation
- Egg quality
- Uterine lining
- Pre and post implantation support
First Trimester
Acupuncture is inherently a preventative medicine. It’s used to maintain optimal health and prevent disease and other conditions from developing in the first place. That’s why it’s extra important to get maintenance treatments throughout the duration of the pregnancy. In the first trimester, it’s good to get treatments weekly to balance the energy of both mom and developing baby.
Some early pregnancy symptoms acupuncture can help with are:
- Morning sickness/nausea
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Mood swings
- Stress relief
Second Trimester
At this time we can reduce treatments to once per month for maintenance as long as there are no unwanted symptoms.
You may want to come in more often if you’re experiencing:
- Heartburn
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Round ligament pain
- High Blood Pressure
- Emotional stress
Third Trimester
Now that mom and baby are getting bigger, acupuncture can address physical discomfort and prepare mom for delivery.
At this stage, acupuncture can help with:
- Back pain/sciatica
- Edema/swelling
- Pelvic pain
- Sleep problems
- Breech position
- Leg cramps
- Uterine contractions
Labor Induction
If you’re overdue, you can come in for a labor induction treatment. In most cases, acupuncture can help induce labor in 1-3 treatments coming in every other day if needed. In a recent study, acupuncture for labor induction was found to have a success rate of 83%!
Post–Pregnancy
The benefits don’t stop after delivery. Mom needs just as much attention and support during this time of recovery and restoration.
It’s important to find the time to come in if you’re experiencing:
- Postpartum depression
- Insufficient lactation
- Hemorrhoids
- Body aches
- Constipation
- Lack of appetite
- Stress and anxiety
How does acupuncture do all of this?
As with any condition treated with acupuncture, we are restoring blood flow to the areas that need it and regulating the nervous system for proper body function. There are certain points we want to include and avoid during each phase to support and “hold” the pregnancy.
At Amaluna Wellness, we have years of experience helping women at every stage of pregnancy and we’re here to support you from beginning to end.
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