Acupuncture: A Safe Treatment During Pregnancy
Did you know that preparation for birth with acupuncture is a safe and natural treatment option for pregnancy and childbirth? It is suitable from the early stages of pregnancy all the way through to birth preparation. Acupuncture can be a great therapeutic option alongside other birth preparation practices such as prenatal yoga, exercise, childbirth education classes, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques. It is beneficial even if you have a planned caesarean section, offering a highly customised approach to nurture you both physically and mentally.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a form of therapy that belongs to Chinese medicine, a continuously evolving medical system developed in Asia over 3,000 years ago. Today, there are myriad styles of acupuncture, but the general principle remains the same: inserting thin needles into the body to elicit a therapeutic effect. Numerous research studies have confirmed the effectiveness of acupuncture, though the exact mechanisms are not yet fully understood by science.
Brain imaging studies have shown that acupuncture affects nervous system functions and the fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds and connects every structure in the body. These effects are thought to play a role in the observed systemic changes resulting from acupuncture treatments.
The Preparation for Birth with Acupuncture
Birth Preparation with Acupuncture or Pre-birth acupuncture, refers to a series of treatments in the final weeks of pregnancy to prepare for childbirth. From 37 weeks of pregnancy, we tailor weekly acupuncture sessions to your specific needs to prepare you physically and mentally for labor. This soothing and relaxing treatment encourages the proper physiological functioning of the birth process.
The Benefits
- Relaxes and encourages blood circulation in the pelvic area
- Encourages healthy ripening of the cervix
- Promotes optimal baby positioning
- Addresses specific discomforts such as heartburn, constipation, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, leg cramps, bleeding gums, nasal congestion, nosebleeds, backache, swelling of hands and feet, difficulty sleeping, and increased anxiety and tiredness
The Treatment: What to Expect
- One session per week from the 37th week until the baby arrives
- Initial session includes a consultation and a treatment, lasting up to 1.5 hours. Follow-up sessions last 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Avoid eating a heavy meal just before treatment; however, do not come on a completely empty stomach.
- Wear comfortable clothes and try to create some space in your schedule immediately following your appointment.
- Treatments are generally done in a sitting position or lying on your side.
- We use between 6 to 8 needles per treatment, which are left inserted for 20 minutes while you relax.
- The treatment also includes massage and acupressure based on Chinese Medicine principles.
Additional Services
- A guide to acupressure in labor: This visual guide details the best acupressure points to use in labor, when to use them, and how to find them. Partners can be invited to one of the pre-birth sessions to help them feel confident about locating and using these acupressure points.
- Additional ‘induction’ acupuncture sessions if required: A stronger treatment to support spontaneous labor, offered in conjunction with cervical sweeps and other induction protocols provided by your hospital.
The Research
A 2016 study on complementary therapies for labor and birth, which included techniques such as acupressure, visualisation and relaxation, breathing, massage, yoga techniques, and facilitated partner support, showed significant benefits. The group that participated in the course had significantly fewer instances of epidural use, caesarean sections, labor augmentation, perineal trauma, and newborn resuscitation, with a shorter duration of the second stage of labor. However, further high‐quality research is needed, particularly regarding acupuncture and acupressure, to confirm these findings and explore additional benefits.
Get in Touch
Birth Preparation with Acupuncture is considered a specialty within the practice of acupuncture. It is important to seek treatment from a qualified practitioner who specialises in prenatal care and is aware of contraindications and precautions. If you would like to explore acupuncture as a valuable tool for birth preparation and overall well-being, please get in touch at www.2meclinic.com to book a free 10-minute chat with our acupuncturist, Sophie Silverwood-Cope.
References
- Betts D (2006). The Essential Guide to Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth.
- Smith C, Crowther C, Beilby J (2002). “Acupuncture to treat nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a randomised trial.” Birth, 29(1):1-9.
- Caroline A. Smith, Carmel T. Collins, Kate M. Levett, Mike Armour, Hannah G. Dahlen, Aidan L. Tan, Bita Mesgarpour (2020). “Acupuncture or acupressure for pain management during labour.” DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009232.pub2.
- Levett, K.M., Smith, C.A., Bensoussan, A., & Dahlen, H.G. (2016). “Complementary therapies for labour and birth study: A randomised controlled trial of antenatal integrative medicine for pain management in labour.” BMJ Open, 6(7), e010691.
- Citkovitz, C. (2019). “Labour Preparation with Acupuncture.” Journal of Chinese Medicine, Issue 121, October 2019.
- Daly, T., PhD, LAc (2023). An Introduction to Chinese Medicine: A Patient’s Guide to Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Nutrition and More.
Author:
Sophie Silverwood-Cope BSc(Hons) Chinese Medicine Acupuncture, Member of the BAcC
