Pregnancy

Fertility specialists recognise that acupuncture increases the success rate of becoming pregnant and can reduce the unwanted side effects of pregnancy allowing greater comfort to full term. A general list of conditions is as follows:

• Digestion: morning sickness
• Pain: backache, symphysis pubic disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome
• Emotional factors: stress and anxiety
• Urinary incontinence and water retention
• Other: high blood pressure, fatigue and insomnia

Morning sickness is easily treatable once the ‘type’ of morning sickness is identified. In Chinese Medicine, this diagnosis will dictate which points to use as well as the lifestyle advice recommended. For example, it is not advisable to recommend ginger products to everyone. If a woman is experiencing an excessive Heat associated morning sickness, then ginger will simply make the symptoms worse. Ginger is only advised in conditions of depletion and Cold, i.e. when the mother is feeling cold; has a pale tongue; feels exhausted and sleepy; and feels worse after vomiting. The ginger will then balance the digestion by warming it and invigorating the woman.

In situations of excessive Heat and stagnation, one would observe (for example) headaches, insomnia, fever, sour vomit, feeling better following vomiting, anxiety and agitation. Here, it would be recommended to eat more cooling foods and drinks as well as the adoption of relaxation and exercise to help move circulation to naturally cool the body down.

Mothers-to-be can find that the growing weight of their baby puts pressure on various parts of their body causing feelings of pain. Often, if the woman has some predisposed pain issue, then pregnancy will highlight it. Acupuncture is a safe effective method to relax muscles and improve circulation and thereby relieving pain.

Acupuncture is also useful for inducing labour if the baby’s arrival is late. There are specific acupuncture prescriptions used in this event.

Postnatal conditions, such as insufficient lactation and depression can also be treated.

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