Pregnancy Care with Acupuncture

I began my acupuncture career with a placement at an antenatal acupuncture clinic within the local hospital that I worked at. I worked alongside midwives that supported women through their pregnancy with acupuncture treatment. Up until that point, I had not realised how helpful acupuncture could be as a natural, drug free treatment for many reasons throughout pregnancy.

The clinic was very busy, as we catered for 3 large towns in one hospital setting and the clinic was in high demand. In a busy day on the ward, we would see women for various conditions such as:

·        Severe morning sickness

·        Symphysis pubis pain

·        Back pain

·        Breech presentation

·        Induction of labour

·        Anxiety

·        Depression

·        Headaches

·        As pain management during labour

My interest in acupuncture first piqued whilst attending this antenatal acupuncture clinic myself in 2006. My GP had referred me to the clinic during my pregnancy, to have treatment for hay fever; it really affected me and made me miserable each year and not being able to take antihistamines during pregnancy made this even more challenging.  I received acupuncture treatment throughout my pregnancy, for the months that I was affected.

The experience was so interesting, and not only did it work for my hay fever symptoms, but I came away from treatment feeling energised, I had a spring in my step and a lifted mood. I was so impressed that I didn’t hesitate when I was referred again at full term to have an acupuncture induction rather than medical intervention. Within hours of the treatment labour was under way!

I loved having acupuncture throughout my pregnancy. What a great, gentle way to receive care during a very important time, why wouldn’t I want to do that for others? So, I did my researched and signed up for the degree myself in 2009. I feel privileged to support women at such a special time and to provide care that involves a relaxing calm space, with a safe and effective treatment.

Important

If you are considering seeking acupuncture support during your pregnancy, it is essential to ensure you are seeking safe care, the acupuncture practitioner should be:

·        qualified to degree standard

·        registered with a professional body that requires compliance to a code of conduct e.g. The Association of Acupuncture Clinicians, The British Acupuncture Council

·        licensed to practice by their Local Authority

·        insured

·        have received specific and specialised training in pregnancy care and  have chosen to work with pregnancy care

Why chose acupuncture for support?

·        It’s safe

·        Effective

·        Minimal adverse effects

·        Space for you to relax

·        Reduces likelihood of medical intervention

Please see the below link to many research papers relayed by Debra Betts, a world-renowned midwife acupuncturist with whom I have taken CPD training from:

Debra Betts Research 

From this you will see the many positive outcomes from treatment. In my clinical experience over 13 years, I have had many positive outcomes when working with pregnancy. Particularly around breech presentation, nausea and vomiting and inductions.  One of the treatments I highly enjoy is pre-birth care. The study below, highlights the some of the potential benefit gained from this:

In 1998, Zeisler et al. conducted a study using acupuncture from 36 weeks of gestation. The study found that acupuncture was associated with a shorter first stage of labour, defined as the period between 3 cm cervical dilation and full dilation. The acupuncture group had a median duration of 196 minutes, while the control group's median duration was 321 minutes.

Pre-birth care package

I provide a pre-birth package, working with women weekly from 36 weeks. It is a space for mum-to-be to come and relax, energise and prepare for birth. As pregnancy comes near term, if baby is breech, we can work with this from 34 weeks. In the later weeks 38 – 42 if baby is overdue or booked for medical induction for medical reasons, and it is viable to do so, we can work with inducing the birth.

As an additional bonus to treatment in the pre-birth care package, I offer to teach you about acupressure points that can be useful during labour to help with managing contractions and the labour process. At this stage, it can be helpful to invite your partner or birthing companion to the sessions too so that they can also learn these points. This can be a really nice, practical way that a partner can be helpful and support you during labour. I will then give you an information booklet that guides you through using these points at each stage of labour for you to take home.

If you are interested in finding out more or would like to book, please call or use the contact page.