Virtually every conversation about acupuncture and pregnancy begins with the question “is it safe?”. The answer is a resounding YES ! With over 2000 years of safe and effective use during pregnancy and childbirth, acupuncture is the perfect health care choice during this unique time of life. Always ensure that you choose a Registered Acupuncturist who is experienced in working with the unique requirements of pregnancy acupuncture.
Many maternity discomforts, such as morning sickness or back pain are considered “normal” during pregnancy, but the truth is they can make your life a misery. Morning sickness may be considered “normal”, but in reality it can be debilitating, and take away the joy from even a long awaited pregnancy.
Likewise, chronic heartburn, indigestion, constipation, back pain, fatigue, insomnia or any of the other commonly experienced minor pregnancy related conditions can make your life a misery. Gentle, safe and effective acupuncture offers you the perfect solution for these common pregnancy complaints.
Sometimes pregnancy challenges are more serious and can significantly threaten the health of mother or baby. Here too, acupuncture may offer a solution for the treatment and management of more serious conditions such as bleeding and threatened miscarriage; maternal high blood pressure; anemia or “small for dates” babies.
After the birth of your baby, your body must rapidly adapt to a new set of demands. Acupuncture can help your body recover from the challenges of pregnancy and childbirth. Common post natal issues include fatigue, depression, night sweats, restlessness and anxiety, prolonged bleeding, dizziness, constipation or pain.
Breast feeding offers the perfect food for your growing infant, but sometimes a new mother may struggle to produce enough milk, or may be plagued with recurrent mastitis. If this is you, I encourage you to try acupuncture before admitting defeat and abandoning breast feeding.
If your baby is now several months old and you are starting to think about your next planned pregnancy, now is the time for some pre-conception planning to ensure that you are in peak health before conceiving your next precious child. Sometimes, after having a baby, acupuncture support is needed to re-establish a healthy, regular menstrual cycle, and fertility.