Can Acupuncture Help During Pregnancy?

Acupuncture not only can assist you with fertility, it is also a drug-free approach to treatment that can help ease some of the common side effects of pregnancy. Everything from heartburn, to back pain, to headaches, fatigue (and beyond) can be addressed through acupuncture as your pregnancy progresses. In this article, we explore the benefits of using Chinese medicine during pregnancy, and we’ll outline a timeline for treatments as your baby comes closer to their introduction to this world!

As an acupuncturist, I get a lot of questions from pregnant women who are thinking about acupuncture, pregnancy, and whether the two are a good mix, so I’m dedicating this Acupuncture Calgary article to the topic.

Did you know that 22% of women will seek acupuncture support when trying to become pregnant but only 10% of women use acupuncture during their pregnancy?

Acupuncture is a great drug free alternative for moms-to-be to turn to when they are experiencing problems during pregnancy. Many of the issues experienced during pregnancy can be relieved with a combination of acupuncture along with diet and lifestyle advice.

Acupuncture can help ease these symptoms during pregnancy:

• “morning sickness” can occur between the sixth and sixteenth week, being most intense around eight to twelve weeks. However, some women can experience it as early as their first delayed period and can have it continue until birth. Hormone levels, fatigue, stress, and emotional factors can all contribute to this problem. In Chinese Medicine there is a meridian that has a close relationship with both the uterus and the stomach (the Chong Mai) and the physiological changes of nourishing a fetus instead of contributing to menstruation can disrupt the normal qi flow in the meridian causing it to “rebel” upwards attributing to nausea and vomiting.
• Heartburn tends to be a problem in the last few months of pregnancy when the uterus physically pushes up on the diaphragm and stomach, earlier in pregnancy it is the result of an abundance of hormones having a relaxing effect on the smooth muscle tissue in the body allowing digestive juices to flow upwards into the esophagus. We can help promote stomach function and regulate digestion.
• Constipation and hemorrhoids sometimes resultant from each other, can often occur due to the increased pressure on the bowels. These common problems are treated in a similar manner as they would be in a non-pregnant person, by finding the root cause of the problem, with the additional consideration of an element of obstruction.
• Back and pelvic pain that tends to increase as the pregnancy advances, the pain can result from hormonal changes relaxing ligaments as well the muscles and joints are compensating for the increasing weight of the baby, this pain can interfere with work, daily activities, and sleep.
• Fatigue caused by a variety of disharmonies in Chinese medicine including qi, yang, blood, and yin deficiencies. By promoting a good sleep-wake cycle and avoiding stressful environments, an optimal uterine environment can be maintained. We can assist women in moderating stress levels, improving sleep and energy, as well as facilitating a normal functioning immune system.
• Emotions: Excessive levels of stress, anxiety, fear, and depression can be debilitating and should be treated, in addition to seeing counsellor, midwife, or doctor. In Chinese medicine, emotions are understood in relationship to different organ systems in the body, and treating specific organs can help to achieve a more balance emotional state.
• Edema results due to an increase of fluids and the effects of gravity on these extra body fluids generated during pregnancy, manifesting as swelling and puffiness in the ankles and feet and sometimes in the hands. In TCM, edema of the limbs results from a Spleen deficiency as the Spleen is responsible for fluid metabolism. This sometimes co-exists with a Kidney deficiency as the Kidney provides the Spleen with the energy to assist in its functional activities.

Pre-birth Acupuncture:

Pre-birth acupuncture is a way of prepping the body for birth. An acupuncturist looks for any imbalances that may be present and could potentially become a problem following birth. We recommend treatment once a week starting at 36 or 37 weeks as this corresponds to the physiology of the body changing in preparation for labour. Acupuncture can be used to help prepare for birth by regulating qi and blood flow with an emphasis on preparing the cervix and pelvis for labour.

The root cause of malposition (breech) in TCM is considered to result from deficient Kidney energy due to the Kidneys relationship to the uterus and its role in nourishing the fetus. It is said that “the yin of the Kidney nourishes and dominates the development and growth of the fetus though the pregnancy. As the birth date approaches and yin reaches its utmost, yang must begin to grow in order to turn the fetus and prepare for the intense activity of birth. If, towards the time of delivery, there is insufficient yang activity of the uterus, due to deficiency or stagnation, then yang must be stimulated”. Intervention using moxabustion (using moxa made from dried mugwort plant) has been found to be most efficient at week 34 but can be attempted as late as 38 or 39 weeks. For breech presentation, an acupuncture treatment will be followed by a simple moxabustion procedure that will be taught to the woman for her to do at home for the next ten days.

The use of acupuncture for post due date labour induction is well known amongst most people. There are several points that can be used to promote labour naturally if a medical induction is being scheduled. Treatment may consist of two or three treatments on consecutive days plus acupressure to do at home.

Acupressure in labour is a great way to involve a partner in labour for support and pain relief. If planning a drug free birth, acupressure is an option for relaxation, reduction in pain, and promoting an efficient labour. For this type of appointment it is a great idea to bring your partner to learn the uses and how to find the acupressure points so it is stress free during labour. This would be best booked around 36 weeks to allow time to practice at home as a couple.

I hope you have found this useful. If you think acupuncture might be of help to you with your pregnancy, you can click here to book an appointment with one of our talented acupuncturists.