Pregnancy and Traditional Chinese Medicine

For over 3000 years, Traditional Chinese Medicine has promoted specialized treatment for women in pregnancy and postpartum recovery. Today, this care has become increasingly popular, not only due to it’s effectiveness, but because it offers women a drug-free alternative to common pregnancy related complaints.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal recovery provide a unique opportunity to enhance a women’s overall well being. Without adequate care, problems that arise in pregnancy and postpartum, may linger long after the birth. Value is therefore placed on promoting preventive care to strengthen the mother and baby, as well as dealing with problems as they occur during the pregnancy.

Acupuncture and TCM have been shown to be safe and effective for many of the symptoms that often accompany pregnancy, including:

Morning Sickness

Heartburn

Anxiety and stress

Back pain and sciatica

Constipation

Hemorrhoids

Edema

Fatigue

Labour Preparation:

Weekly treatments 4-6 weeks prior to the due date are effective at reducing muscular and skeletal pain, and preparing the pelvis and cervix for an efficient labour. If the baby is in a breech or posterior position, moxibustion can have a significant effect in repositioning the baby safely. This is best done starting week 33-34, but can still be useful when used later in pregnancy.

Induction:

Labour induction is really a Western medical term and procedure. However, acupuncture can provide a gentle inducement to labour if the baby is overdue, and can be an effective alternative to a medical induction. Daily treatments may be necessary to soften and dilate the cervix, and facilitate labour naturally. Fear and stress are some of the biggest factors that women battle during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Acupuncture can help calm the nervous system, focus the mind and significantly reduce stress and anxiety in these moments.

Pain Relief during Labour:

Acupuncture offers a drug free alternative for pain relief during labour. Acupressure provides similar results, with the advantage that support people can be taught how to use it during labour. Consultations with partners and support people can be arranged to demonstrate effective acupressure points and protocols to be used to facilitate an efficient labour.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can provide safe and effective relief throughout all the stages of transformation as you create and welcome a new family member into your life.

Click here for research articles on acupuncture in pregnancy!

http://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/acupuncture/pregnancy-childbirth/research/