Acupuncture offers women drug-free relief for a multitude of conditions that can arise during pregnancy and childbirth.

 

The First 8 Months

Acupuncture can be very effective in relieving nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. It is very difficult to enjoy your pregnancy if you experience these two conditions. Persistent vomiting can also lead to dehydration; it is therefore important to reduce its severity and incidence as soon as possible.

Acupuncture has been shown to relieve musculoskeletal pain such as back pain and sciatica. It is also effective in relieving symphysis pubis pain in the later stages of pregnancy. Back pain in early pregnancy can be the sign of a potential problem and should be checked thoroughly with your GP and/or Midwife before starting acupuncture.

Specific treatments to optimise foetal development can be applied at three and six months. Treatment can also be applied when the baby is considered to be small for gestational age (IUGR).

Treatment can be used to help with a variety of conditions including: anaemia, anxiety, constipation, fatigue, heartburn, insomnia, oedema and threatened miscarriage.

 Approaching Birth

Preparation for labour - weekly acupuncture treatment 3-4 weeks prior to labour seems to help women in having a more efficient labour. I use Debra Betts’ pre-birth protocol that shows to have clinical benefits in reducing medical interventions during labour and therefore increase the rate of normal vaginal births.

These last few weeks can be an emotional time and acupuncture is also very efficient in reducing the level of anxiety.

Induction – Acupuncture and acupressure are very efficient in inducing labour. It is most effective when performed between 10-14 days overdue. I will treat you 2-3 times on consecutive days and will show a partner of your choice how to use acupressure in between.

Position of the baby – It is possible to turn a breech baby by warming up a specific acupuncture point located on the lateral sides of the little toes. I will treat you only once and give you two Moxa sticks so that you can warm these points at home with someone’s help.

Labour – Acupuncture and acupressure on specific points promote pain relief and uterine contractions during labour. I will show your birth partner how and when to use acupressure on specific points.

Postnatal Support

Acupuncture, lifestyle and dietary advice following the birth are helpful to prevent disharmonies developing. A specific treatment involves warming the mother’s abdomen to aid recovery. This can be done by you or your partner.

Acupuncture can also help with – persistent uterine bleeding, after pains, perineal discomfort, breast feeding problems and postnatal depression.

Pregnancy and Childbirth

Beaumont Street Acupuncture, Oxford

Working for well being