Oh right, I have a blog! I think I over shared during my cleanse, and needed a break:)
So, amazingly and wonderfully I am treating many pregnant women right now, some of which have been trying to conceive for a long time. So, I thought it was a good time to share some of the issues that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can treat during pregnancy. At Good Chi Acupuncture we specialize in all things women's health, with fertility & pregnancy at the top of the list. So if you or someone your know is pregnant and could benefit with some natural support for any of these issues, please send them our way!!
1. Morning
Sickness:
If your nausea is mild, small dietary adjustments may be enough to
manage it. But, if your nausea is more
debilitating and lasts all day long, then acupuncture can effectively balance
your system to lessen the nausea and vomiting.
Morning sickness responds particularly well to acupuncture and can
reduce symptoms from the very first treatment.
2. Threatened
Miscarriage: A miscarriage is threatened when there are
signs such as vaginal bleeding, aches in the lower back and/or abdominal
cramps. Of course, no one can prevent an
inevitable miscarriage, nor should they, but if contacted at the earliest sign,
your acupuncturist may be able to protect the baby and stop the bleeding. The treatment usually involves frequent
acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medicine to stop bleeding, strengthen
the uterus and support the pregnancy.
This treatment usually continues through the first trimester and sometimes
throughout the pregnancy.
3. Fatigue
and Stress: It’s hard work growing a human being! All of your body’s energy is going into that
process and it seems very little is left for you. This is usually a temporary phenomenon that
lasts throughout the first trimester.
Although you will probably be tired throughout this time, acupuncture
can nourish your energy and relax the stress associated with the big changes
taking place in your life. It provides a
time and space for your self to relax and slow down, which is not always
possible in a busy life.
4. Back
Pain & Sciatica: Your sciatic nerve runs down your lower
spine, pelvic area and back of your legs.
As your pregnancy progresses, your baby gets bigger, sits lower in your
abdomen and can put extra pressure on your sciatic nerve. This pressure can cause pain and numbness in
your lower back, buttocks and back of your thighs. Thankfully, this is usually temporary and once
the baby is out, the pain magically begins to go away. But in the meantime, acupuncture can very
effectively treat the symptoms of pain and relax the muscles so that you can
enjoy your pregnancy.
5. Turning
a Breech Baby: Acupuncture can relax the muscles in the uterus and
abdomen, while regulating the movements of the womb to create ideal conditions
for the baby to turn. Specific
acupuncture points and techniques are very effective at getting feet down
babies to turn. The treatment involves
the use of moxibustion, or applying heat using the herb mugwort near a point on
the little toe. Treatment is generally
done between weeks 32-37 when the baby still has some room to turn. These techniques can also be taught to the
mother to do at home.
6. Preparing
for Labor: A weekly session of acupuncture at the end of
your pregnancy helps focus your energy on the task to be performed. Besides relieving the stress and anxiety of
the approaching labor, delivery and of course the baby, regular acupuncture has
also shown to reduce the need for medical interventions such as induction, use
of epidural anesthesia and cesarean delivery.
7. Inducing
labor using acupuncture: Acupuncture offers a safe and natural method
for inducing labor. Once your baby is
ready, one or more acupuncture treatments can stimulate the changes necessary
to trigger the delivery process. These
treatments are gentle and do not force a labor to occur that is not ready. It simply helps the Qi and Blood flow more
freely and relax the body to allow labor to happen naturally on its own.
8. Postpartum
Care:
After the baby has arrived, it’s important to recover properly from
childbirth. Acupuncture can help you
heal and regain your strength and vitality, rebalance your energy, boost your
body’s defenses and help address concerns such as pain, fatigue, insufficient
lactation and postpartum depression/baby blues.
