Pregnancy Support

Acupuncture has been used for over 2000 years in China as a specialised treatment in pregnancy and post-partum care.  It provides a safe and effective holistic treatment for pregnancy ‘discomforts’at  a time when drugs might be contraindicated.

Acupuncture provides early pregnancy supportive care, especially if the woman has had the added stress of suffering a previous miscarriage or if she has undergone Assisted Reproduction.

Treating pregnant women is one of Alex’s favourite things; treatment is very gentle, safe, relaxing and women respond very well to the acupuncture.

Acupuncture can give relief for a range of pregnancy related conditions:

  • Tender Breasts
  • Migraine and other headaches
  • Back ache
  • Pelvic pain (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction)
  • Varicose veins
  • Morning sickness
  • High/low blood pressure
  • Anxiety
  • Tiredness
  • Constipation

Acupuncture for Pre-birth Preparation

Acupuncture has been used widely in Europe to help women prepare for birth and is now being offered by Acupuncturists and Midwives who are trained on Obstetric Acupuncture.  Pre-birth acupuncture is a series of treatments in the final stages of pregnancy, starting at 36 weeks which helps the woman prepare for a safe and efficient labour.

Acupuncture helps with the ripening of the cervix, with promoting optimal positioning for labour, and by helping build the mother’s energy and stamina in preparation for labour.

Acupuncture & Breech Presentation

Moxibustion (a herb compacted into a cigar shape), has been used for many centuries to turn breech babies.  The end of the moxa stick is held next to the acupuncture point at the end of the little toe.  Once demonstrated to the woman by a trained acupuncturist, the treatment is then carried out at home for 10 days.

Van den Berg et al, 2010, concluded that offering moxibustion to women with a breech foetus at 33 weeks gestation reduced the number of breech presentations at term and the number of caesarean sections required.  In another study Cardini et al, 1998, demonstrated that the number of premature births was lower in the group receiving moxibustion and that there were no adverse effects from the treatment.

Alex provides full written instructions on how to carry out this procedure safely and monitors the progress by telephone.

Acupuncture for Labour

Acupuncture may help to relieve pain (e.g. back pain, labour pain), improve mood and reduce anxiety, alleviate dyspepsia, increase relaxation and reduce tension.

Recurrent Miscarriage

Most miscarriages occur within the first trimester and are much more common than people realise.  It is rarely spoken about and can be emotionally devastating for the woman.  Most causes of miscarriage are due to genetic abnormalities in the foetus.

Acupuncture aims to rebalance the hormones after miscarriage and to gently build the body’s resources and provide emotional support.  Pre-conceptual acupuncture is offered if another pregnancy is planned.

Within fertility research. acupuncture demonstrates beneficial hormone responses with decreased miscarriage rates, raising the possibility that acupuncture may promote specific beneficial effects in early pregnancy.  Research is currently being undertaken for women presenting with threatened miscarriage.

Post Partum Care

Pregnancy and delivery are taxing on a woman’s body.   Traditionally new mothers would stay with their family members who would help with the day to day running of the house and ensure that the new mother managed adequate rest.  Rest and isolation for both mother and infant are the most important aspects of post partum recovery.

After birth acupuncture can be used for:

  • Insufficient lactation
  • Swollen ankles
  • Mastitis
  • Back and shoulder pain
  • Exhaustion
  • Post partum depression
  • Stress and anxiety

For further information on any of the above go to: www.acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz     On her website Debra Betts provides a wonderful resource which includes free downloadable material on Nausea and Pregnancy, Moxibustion for Breech Presentation, Acupressure for Labour, as well as up to date research and considerations on using acupuncture for pregnancy.