Benefits of Acupuncture During Pregnancy
What it honor it is to have my good friend Libby on the Blog talking about her area of expertise. I am so thankful for acupuncture during my third pregnancy, I wish I had found it sooner, but I am grateful for the relief and relaxation it brought me.
I hope you enjoy her very informative blog post and please ask any questions in thecomment section and I will send them to her to answer!
My name is Libby Proctor, and I am a Licensed Acupuncturist, board certified herbalist, and mom of three young kiddos. Taylor invited me here today to chat a little bit about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture and how they can be beneficial for you when you are pregnant.
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have been used for thousands of years for a variety of ailments, injuries, and health conditions. It’s common these days to seek out acupuncture if you find yourself on a fertility/IVF journey. The benefits of acupuncture do not end however once you become pregnant. Acupuncture is a safe, effective, and drug-free treatment modality for many conditions associated with pregnancy and the post-partum period.
Before I get into that, however, I will briefly explain how acupuncture works. Acupuncture uses very thin, sterile, single-use needles that are strategically placed along acupuncture channels (aka meridians) into the acupuncture point. There are hundreds of points on the body, and points are chosen based on what the chief complaint is, a thorough intake of medical and social history, tongue and pulse, and your Chinese medical pattern diagnosis. You may feel a slight pinch when the needle goes in, but often you don’t feel anything at all. Once the needles are placed, they remain in place for about 30 minutes while you relax.
According to Chinese medical theory, blockages of qi (translated as “vital life force energy”) and/or blood can occur along these meridians and can disrupt how the body parts and organs communicate with one another. The acupuncture needles unblock areas of stagnation and mend these blocked or broken lines of communication. It is often said that acupuncture simply reminds the body how to heal itself and brings the body back into homeostasis. Acupuncture is just one aspect of TCM. TCM also includes herbal medicine, cupping, gua sha, tui na (Chinese medical massage), moxibustion (moxa), dietary/nutritional guidance, lifestyle guidance, meditation, qi gong, and tai chi.
So what can acupuncture do for you during your pregnancy? Well aside from the general relaxation effects (and who doesn’t need that), acupuncture and Chinese medicine is used commonly during pregnancy for (but not limited to):
Threatened miscarriage
Nausea and vomiting (morning sickness)
Heartburn
Constipation
Varicose veins, hemorrhoids, vulvar varicosities
UTI
Musculoskeletal conditions: rib pain, pubic symphysis pain, neck, back, hips, sciatica, carpal tunnel, leg cramps
Fatigue and exhaustion
Anemia
Insomnia
Anxiety, depression,
Pregnancy-induced hypertension
Abnormal vaginal discharge and itching
Itching in pregnancy
Congestion and Sinusitis
Cold and Flu
Edema
Small-for-date babies (intrauterine growth restriction)
Breech, posterior positions
General health of placenta and uterus
Routine pre-birth treatment to increase efficiency of labor, reduced rate of medical interventions and maximize positive birth outcomes
Labor prep (induction)
Acupressure in labor
Labor and delivery – different stages of, malposition, unfavorable cervical dilation, failure to progress
Retained placenta
Mastitis
Healing of c-section scar
Post-partum depression and/or anxiety
Post-partum healing
Insufficient lactation
Hormonal balancing
When it comes to frequency of treatment, I typically recommend that my patients get weekly treatments throughout the first trimester to prevent and alleviate many common first trimester ailments such as morning sickness, fatigue, and headaches. If Mama is feeling good and no new symptoms arise, I then recommend monthly treatments throughout the second trimester. Weekly treatments are to be resumed in the third trimester to start preparing for labor and delivery.
Having a baby is a serious mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual feat. You need to prepare and train for it. Acupuncture helps to prepare the body for labor and help to alleviate pain and discomfort in the third trimester. Pre-birth treatments (which reduce labor time, reduce need for medical intervention, maximize positive birth outcomes) start at 36 weeks, 1 treatment a week, until delivery. We begin Labor Promoting treatments after the due date, especially 2-3 days (every day if possible) before a medical induction is planned. Acupressure is a great coping tool during labor, and I often teach my pregnant patients and their support people how and when to use acupressure during labor, delivery, and after.
you can follow Libby on instagram @libbyproctor_acumama!
The Complete Pregnancy Workout Guide includes a 12 weeks, of moderate to low-impact workouts that can be followed and repeated throughout each trimester, nutrition recommendations, exercises to help keep core and pelvic floor strong, preparing for labor/delivery and more with over 80 pages of the most up-to-date information!
In the beginning you will work to create a solid foundation to tone muscle, increase circulation, and endurance.
As the weeks progress, you will work to increase your strength and stability and help minimize pregnancy aches and pains.
Staying active will not only boost your stamina and strength, but can relieve stress and prepare for delivery.
Each week includes resistance and strength training as well as active recovery and yoga. Active recovery includes prenatal yoga and core workouts to get your body ready for delivery to meet your sweet baby or babies!
When to Start Pregnancy Exercises
The best time to start pregnancy exercises is when you discover you are pregnant.
The second best time to start pregnancy exercises is now. Of course, get the green light from your midwife, OB-GYN, or doctor before beginning any pregnancy exercises.
This 12 week workout plan has exercises that are safe throughout your entire pregnancy and can be done from home or anywhere!
Over 100 different exercises with photo and/or videos.
PDF format that is available to use on iPhone/iPad/Android/Kindle/Computer.
Equipment needed: Dumbbells and loop band
Let’s get #Sweatyasamother together
If you feel sharp, hot, or pinpointed pain right over the bony part of your outer hip during pregnancy, it’s very likely you have bursitis. You will be most symptomatic with lying on your side, walking, standing on one leg, or putting any pressure over the bursa.