Acupuncture Treatment for Pregnancy and Childbirth
Acupuncture offers women the choice of drug-free treatment and can be successfully used for relieving a wide range of conditions associated with preganancy:
• miscarriage
• nausea and vomiting
• heartburn
• constipation
• urinary tract infections
• musculoskeletal conditions
• fatigue and exhaustion
• anaemia
• insomnia
• anxiety and depression
• thrush and abnormal vaginal discharge
• itchiness
• sinusitis
• hypertension
• oedema
• small (for date) babies
• breech and posterior positioned babies
• induction
• preparing the body for an efficient labour
• painful and problematic labour
• postpartum recovery
Pre-Birth Treatment
Pre-birth treatment involves a series of four acupuncture treatments, once a week, from 36 or 37 weeks to prepare for labour. Points are used according a woman's constitution and pregnancy history.These include points to ripen the cervix, help position the baby in the best presentation for labour and to promote optimal energy and stamina for women entering labour.
Data on 169 women was gathered by 14 midwives as part of their midwifery practice in Wellington, New Zealand. It found that when comparing all caregivers (Midwives, GP's and Specialists) to those women who had received pre-birth acupuncturethere was:
1. an overall 35% reduction in the number of inductions (for women having their first baby there was a 43% reduction)
2. a 31% reduction in the epidural rate
When comparing midwifery-only care to women receiving pre-birth acupuncture there was:
1. a 32% reduction in emergency caesarean delivery
2. a 9 % increase in normal vaginal births
There was no difference in the onset of early labour in women who received pre-birth acupuncture.
For further information on research into pre-birth acupuncture click here
Breech babies are ideally treated between 34 - 36 weeks gestation . This is often a single treatment with women being shown how to continue treatment at home with a moxa stick (a herb that has been shaped into a cigar like stick). The moxa stick is lit and held over specific places on the body to stimulate particular acupuncture points.
Nausea During Pregnancy
Nausea during pregnancy is often dismissed as a minor
disorder. Yet it is comparable to the experience of having persistent food
poisoning so it is not something anyone would volunteer to endure for 12 to 16
weeks! Since nausea is estimated to affect one third of all pregnancies it is worth
considering ways to relieve it.
Although the nausea associated with pregnancy can arise from a variety of
conditions, from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) viewpoint, these all
involve the stomach’s energy. Pregnancy affects not only the process of
digestion but also the stomach’s function of aiding the movement of food
downward through the digestive tract. Strong upward “rebellious” energy or a
weakness in this downward moving function results in nausea and vomiting.
While acupuncture treatment is aimed at strengthening the energetic function of
the stomach and correcting any underlying disharmony, dietary changes can also
reduce the energetic workload of the digestive system. To get the most out of
treatment, it is essential to be kind to your body. While experiencing nausea,
food may not exactly be a priority for you, but it may help to follow these
guidelines:
Fluid intake and Regular Snacks
It’s essential that you do not become dehydrated. While
drinking may not feel like it is relieving the nausea, becoming even slightly
dehydrated will make the nausea more intense. Dry lips, feeling thirsty and
reduced urinary output are signs that your fluid intake is inadequate.
If your urine output decreases to only once a day, you need to let your doctor or
midwife know. Once dehydration affects your electrolyte balance past a certain
point the best option may be intravenous re-hydration in a hospital. If you are
finding it difficult to drink fluids, concentrate on having small amounts
frequently. Try soups (potato soup can often be tolerated as it is very bland)
or warm teas. Ginger tea or peppermint tea are often helpful. If burping makes
you feel better, a carbonated drink may help settle the nausea.
Having small regular snacks will help keep you blood sugar levels stable. This
means eating a small snack at least every 1 ˝ to 2 hours, before that empty,
hungry feeling sets in. The snack can be very small, a few raisins or nuts
(almonds are good), half a sandwich, a quarter piece of fruit. Overeating will
intensify the nausea. Avoid sugary foods like chocolate, cakes, pastries and
orange juice that quickly elevate your blood sugar levels, and instead, consume
more complex carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, rice and potatoes.
You may find it helpful to have a snack that is high in protein (nuts, yoghurt)
before going to bed and a carbohydrate-based snack (toast, crackers) upon
waking.
Listen to your body
Certain foods will definitely make you
feel worse. Foods that worked for your friends or mother-in-law may not work
for you. If you experience phlegm in your throat, or consent saliva buildup,
try avoiding dairy products, especially milk and cheese. If you are feeling
cold and tired, focus on warm drinks and soups.
Respect the changes your body is going through. Rest will definitely be
beneficial. If possible schedule down time for the time of day when you are
most prone to feeling nauseous. Perhaps start work an hour later or arrange
extra childcare for a few weeks.
A Few Suggestions
This is not an “absolutely recommended” list but many women have found the following helpful.
Liquids
apple cider vinegar (1 tbsp apple cider vinegar - fill cup with boiling water – add honey to taste)
chamomile tea
ginger ale
ginger tea (grate a piece of root ginger the size of a 50 cent piece, steep in boiling water for 10 minutes with honey to taste – but do not exceed 3 cups per day)
mineral water with lemon juice
peppermint tea
potato soup
umeboshi plum tea (a half teaspoon of paste stirred into a cup of boiling water with honey to taste)
Foods
almonds
baby rice cereal
crackers
dried fruit (especially apricots and raisins)
egg sandwiches
grapefruit
marmite
noodles
pasta
peaches
pears
potatoes or kumara (in any form - baked, mashed, chips)
supermarket baby food
vegemite
white bread
yoghurt (with acidophilus)
Some women find it helpful to consider the type of food that is suitable for an
eight-month-old baby including baked vegetables, cooked and raw fruits,
well-cooked grains, broths and gravies, as these are easy to digest and are
gentle on your stomach.
Smells
Take advantage of a heightened sense of smell by having an essential oil diffuser in your bedroom or kitchen. Try peppermint or vanilla oil.