Being pregnant and having a baby is probably the most amazing time in a woman’s life. The whole nine month journey is nothing short of miraculous. And while some women sail though it others encounter some hiccups along the way. Some issues that can arise during pregnancy include: morning sickness, a misnomer if ever there was one, as most women experience it all day; heartburn; constipation; acute and chronic back ache and sciatica; exhaustion; haemorrhoids; carpal tunnel syndrome; insomnia and oedema (swelling of ankles, legs and hands). Though the list seems a bit daunting the good news is that acupuncture can help with all of these issues should they arise, and without any negative side effects. This is very important as pregnancy is a time where medications and other interventions can be contraindicated but acupuncture, if performed by a licenced acupuncturist, is perfectly safe. Added to this, relief is usually pretty rapid and acupuncture has the added effect of relaxing the mum-to-be and being of benefit to the baby. Several of my client’s tell me that the baby reacts to their treatment and I have my own personal experience of this. I had regular acupuncture during my pregnancy with my daughter and she finally saw a doctor for the first time last year. She’s 13!

Aside from pregnancy, acupuncture also has a role to play in labour and birth. The use of Moxa (a special herb) on a particular acupuncture point has been shown to have a >90% success rate in turning a breech baby in the weeks leading up to birth, while stimulation of other acupuncture points can be successfully used to induce labour. Intradermal needles can be placed in auricular (ear) points for the woman to stimulate herself during labour to help with pain and to keep her relaxed or if a woman decides on a home birth then there is nothing stopping her from having her acupuncturist present to help with pain and to keep labour progressing.

Following the birth acupuncture and herbs also have a role to play in getting the new mum back on her feet both physically and emotionally. It can stave off and deal with post-natal depression, alleviate tiredness, help with milk flow and deal with mastitis.

If you have any queries as to whether acupuncture can help you on your pregnancy journey, don’t hesitate to contact me.