Acupuncture in Pregnancy & Childbirth
Pregnancy is an amazing time in a woman's life. Many women report feeling healthier
than they have ever felt before; however, the physical growth of the baby and changes
in hormone levels can bring about pain, discomfort and a variety of health problems.
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can provide a safe, effective alternative for many of
the health complications that may arise before, during and after pregnancy. A growing
number of women are choosing acupuncture to use throughout their pregnancy and as
an optional treatment for an overdue or difficult labor.
Planning for a Healthy Baby
Healthy parents produce healthy babies. With acupuncture and Oriental medicine,
parents can improve their health to create the most optimal environment for their unborn
child. In addition to their ability to strengthen, support, and balance overall health and
well-being, acupuncture and Oriental medicine are an effective treatment for regulating
menstruation and hormone levels, reducing stress and addressing any pre-existing
medical conditions or concerns that a woman may have.
Acupuncture during Pregnancy
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can play a vital role in the comfort of a pregnant
woman. There is strong evidence to support that acupuncture is highly effective at
treating some of the most common problems experienced during pregnancy including
morning sickness, heartburn, insomnia, water retention and sciatica.
Here is a list of some of the problems that an acupuncturist often treats during
pregnancy:
* Nausea and Vomiting
* Heartburn
* Constipation
* Hemorrhoids
* Edema and Swelling
* Urinary Tract Infection
* Pelvic Pain
* Neck and Back Pain
* Sciatica
* Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
* Leg Cramps
* Fatigue and Exhaustion
* Insomnia
* Anxiety and Depression
Acupuncture for Childbirth
While there are acupuncture points that can provide natural pain relief during labor,
acupuncture is more commonly used to induce labor. There are several points that
stimulate contractions and influence cervical ripening. There is also an acupuncture
point that has been found to turn a breech baby.
Acupuncture Postpartum
Many women feel depleted after the birth experience. Acupuncture and Oriental
medicine can help the transition of those first few months after birth to ensure a quick
recovery. Postpartum care focuses on the physical, emotional and psychological
recovery of the mother from the effects of pregnancy and labor, as well as encouraging
breast feeding.
Here are some of the postpartum disorders that can be treated with acupuncture:
* Fatigue
* Postpartum Depression
* Mastitis
* Insufficient or Excessive Lactation
* Post Operative Healing
* Night Sweats
If you would like to know more how acupuncture and Oriental medicine ease discomfort
and facilitate pregnancy, please call for more information.
UB 67 for Turning Breech Babies
An acupuncture point on the small toe of the foot (Urinary Bladder 67) has been found
to effectively revolve fetuses in breech presentation.
In an Italian study, 240 women at 33-35 weeks of gestation carrying a fetus in breech
presentation were randomized to receive acupuncture plus moxibustion (an herb used to
apply heat to an acupuncture point) or to be assigned to the observation group. At
delivery, the proportion of babies that had turned from breech position to vertex
(head-down) position was 53.6 % in the group treated with acupuncture while the
proportion of babies that had turned from breech position to vertex position in the
observation group was 36.7%.
Source: J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2004 Apr;15(4):247-52
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