Acupuncture to support pregnancy and childbirth

 

A happier nine months

Ideally each woman experiences a joyous and glowing pregnancy, and then is able to find enough energy to cope with being a new mum! A longed-for second pregnancy should flow freely.  To keep pregnancy and motherhood running as smoothly as possible, acupuncture may be able to help in a number of areas.

 

Acupuncture for birth preparation

Acupuncture in the last few weeks of pregnancy can be great for promoting a straightforward labour. 

 

Research

A 2006 study in New Zealand found that women who received acupuncture weekly, starting in week 36 of their pregnancies,  experienced 35% fewer inductions, 31% fewer epidurals and 32% fewer emergency c-sections, see article in Medical Acupuncture.

 

Case studies

"Just a note to say a great big thank you for the magic you worked on me during my pregnancy. I'm thrilled that it all went so smoothly (established labour was only four hours). I was back in normal jeans again two weeks after the birth and I feel fabulous - I'm sure the acupuncture made a huge difference. All in all I had the labour and delivery that I wanted and it was a great experience - I'll be sure to see you when it's the turn of number two - if not before. Thanks so much again not only for the acupuncture but also you're a great listener and a calming influence which really helped."

A new mother in her 30s

Turning breech babies

Acupuncture can be useful to turn a breech baby, by heating a point on the little toe!  The point is warmed using a herb called moxa, in a process called moxibustion.  If you're confident to do this at home, after Jessica has done the first treatment and explained the process, you may be able to continue treatment at home yourself under her supervision. 

 

Research

 A 2003 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) found that correction of a malpositioned foetus was one of the conditions "for which acupuncture has been proved - through controlled trials - to be an effective treatment".

A 1998 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association assessed the effectiveness of moxa treatment for turning breech babies.  The women were treated at 33 weeks, and received treatment daily for seven days.  At 35 weeks 75% of those treated with moxa now had cephalic (head-down) presentations, compared to 48% for the control group.  After 35 weeks none of the remaining babies turned of their own accord, although a number were turned by medically-administered external cephalic version.  No adverse events were noted in the treatment group, which also experienced only 9% of premature births or the use of oxytocin, compared to 31% in the control group.

 

Promoting labour

Acupuncture can be used to help induce labour, if you have gone beyond your due date.  Jessica will use needles and gentle electroacupuncture on your feet, hands, and lower back.  The ideal start point is from the due date onwards, with treatment daily or every other day.

 

Research

 A 2003 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) found that induction of labour to be one of the conditions "for which acupuncture has been proved - through controlled trials - to be an effective treatment".

In a 2001 study published in Wien Klin Wochenschr the women received acupuncture every other day from their due date onwards, and any labours not established by the tenth day were then induced medically.  The women treated with acupuncture had their babies after an average of 5 days compared to 8 days for the control group.  Only 20% of them required a medical induction, compared to 35% in the control group. 

 

Morning sickness

Acupuncture may be able to help reduce nausea and vomiting during your pregnancy.  The 'sea-sickness' wrist bands are designed to press on a acupuncture point on the wrist, which is among those that can often help quell nausea.

 

Research

 A 2003 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) found morning sickness to be one of the conditions "for which acupuncture has been proved - through controlled trials - to be an effective treatment".

Australian research has confirmed that acupuncture can help reduce morning sickness, see BBC article.  The participants in this study received treatment once a week for four weeks.

 

Pelvic pain

Acupuncture treatment can reduce pelvic pain during your pregnancy.

 

Research

 A 2005 study in Sweden found that acupuncture was successful in reducing pelvic pain in pregnant women, see article in British Medical Journal, in fact more successful than specialised exercises.  See also this  BBC article.

 

Also during your pregnancy...

Acupuncture may also be able to help with:

Constipation and heartburn, see digestive problems

Carpal tunnel syndrome: it can reduce the pain and inflammation

The risk of miscarriage can be a worry for those who have previously experienced the sad loss of a growing baby.  IVF pregnancies also face a slightly higher risk of miscarriage.  Acupuncture may be able to improve these risks. 

 

Helping post-partum

After childbirth if needed acupuncture may help:

Encourage post-partum healing
 Manage after-pains
 Build your energy
 Promote lactation

Improve post-natal depression or anxiety

Support your secondary fertility

See Jessica's page on acupuncture for new mums
 

Acupuncture safety in pregnancy

There is evidence to suggest that acupuncture is generally very safe when performed by an appropriately-qualified practitioner. 

 

Research

A review by the British Medical Journal described acupuncture as "very safe" when practiced by an appropriately-qualified practitioner. 

 

Specifically in pregnancy, an Australian study in 2002 which examined acupuncture treatment for morning sickness found no significant adverse effects on mother or baby from these treatments compared to their control group, see article in Complementary Therapies in Medicine.

 

Contact Jessica

Each of us responds differently to acupuncture.  Do get in touch to discuss whether acupuncture is likely to be right for you, or to make an appointment.

 

 

Other conditions

Acupuncture can help with a wide range of health problems, click below to find out more:

 

© Jessica Kennedy 2008, all rights reserved