Pregnancy Acupuncture in Auckland
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The evidence
Check out our reproductive acupuncture evidence and research project.
Preparing for labour with acupuncture
In the final weeks of pregnancy, many women start thinking about how to prepare for labour, both physically and mentally. Acupuncture is commonly used during this stage as a gentle form of support.
Acupuncture has been shown to improve for birthing experience by shortening the duration of labour. Studies in France have shown that this time-proven therapy can help soften the cervix, making labour easier and reducing complications. If you’re planning for a natural delivery, to get the most benefit, it’s best to start treatment at least 4-5 weeks before your due date.
A study in New Zealand revealed that women who had pre-birth acupuncture experienced significant improvements:
- 35% fewer inductions (And first-time births inductions were even lower, with 43% reduction)
- 31% fewer epidurals
- 32% fewer emergency Caesarean deliveries
- And a 9% increase in normal vaginal births
If you’re planning to use acupuncture as part of your preparation for birth, it’s worth getting in touch early so we can advise on timing and availability.
Acupuncture for successful labour induction
Acupuncture can help soften and dilate the cervix, naturally aiding in the onset of labour contractions. Furthermore, this non-invasive treatment can reduce the need for induction medication and pain medication, which can come with risks and complications.
The ideal time to commence acupuncture for labour preparation is around 4-5 weeks prior to the estimated due date. This allows us to gently help with the ripening the cervix, reducing the risks. This kind of acupuncture treatment can result in spontaneous delivery closer to your due date.
Nonetheless, if you have missed this window, acupuncture can help with labour induction. For this purpose, we normally recommend intensive course of treatment, typically involving four or more daily sessions.
In conclusion, labour induction acupuncture is natural, safe and often successful.
World Health Organisation recommends acupuncture in childbirth:
“In childbirth, acupuncture analgesia is useful for relieving labour pain and can significantly reduce the duration of labour.
In the case of weakened uterine contractions, acupuncture increases the activity of the uterus. In addition, the avoidance of narcotics is advantageous for newborn infants.”
Acupuncture for pregnancy related conditions
Relieving Pregnancy Back Pain with Acupuncture
Back pain affects up to 71% of prenant women. As your growing baby strains your muscles and additional weight tilts your pelvis forward, it leads to stress on muscles, ligaments, and joints.
Another common issue during pregnancy is joint pain or arthralgia. Arthralgia can caused by soft tissue swelling and joint laxity as well as rapidly changing hormone levels such as increasing estrogen, progesterone, relaxin, and cortisol.
Acupuncture relieves pain by ramping up your body’s natural pain-relieving mechanisms. It stimulates local tissues and nerves to increase local blood flow, facilitates healing, and provides analgesia.
Pregnancy Sciatica
Sciatica is a condition where pain travels along the path of the sciatic nerve, which extends from your lower back, through your hips and buttocks, and down each leg. Typically, it affects only one side of your body.
While sciatica can be quite uncomfortable, it’s important to note that true sciatica during pregnancy is quite rare, affecting only about 1% of pregnant women. It maybe caused by growing baby pressing against the nerves in pelvic cavity. In our experience some women who come to us with a diagnosis of pregnancy sciatica actually experience discomfort from a sacroiliac joint injury, not true sciatica.
Pregnancy Acupuncture for pelvic pain
Pelvic pain during pregnancy can feel sharp, aching or unstable. It may be felt at the front of the pelvis, through the groin, around the sacroiliac joints, or through the lower back. Movements such as walking, turning in bed, getting dressed, climbing stairs or getting in and out of the car can make it worse.
We commonly see women with pubic symphysis pain, sacroiliac joint pain and round ligament discomfort. Acupuncture may help reduce pain, ease muscular tension and improve day to day comfort.
Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)
At the front of your pelvis, the hip bones come together at a cartilaginous junction called pubic symphysis. Pressure from your growing baby can sometimes cause misalignment of your hip bones, leading to stress on the pubic symphysis. This can cause significant discomfort known as symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD).
The most common symptom is pain right at the front of your pelvis, around the area of the pubic bone. The pain, which can be sharp or a dull ache, is often felt at the front of your pelvis, around the pubic bone, and can spread to your lower back, hips, groin, or thighs. It can worsen with movement and you might even experience a clicking or grinding sensation in your pubic area.
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJ Pain)
Another common source of discomfort during pregnancy is Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction, often referred to as SIJ pain. The sacrum is a bone at the very base of your spine, forming a joint with the pelvic bone known as the sacroiliac joint. This joint can sometimes be the culprit when it comes to pregnancy-related back pain. Although technically part of your pelvis, discomfort from SIJ pain is often felt in your lower back and can even radiate to the inside of your thigh and into your leg. We have plentiful experience, and sacroiliac joint pain responds well to acupuncture.
Round Ligament Pain
You might also be experiencing what’s known as Round Ligament Pain. As your baby grows, the round ligaments in your uterus stretch to accommodate this growth. This stretching can sometimes cause a sharp, stabbing pain or a dull ache in your lower abdomen. It’s a common part of pregnancy and a sign that your body is making room for your growing baby.
Acupuncture relieves pelvic pain
When it comes to pelvic pain during pregnancy, acupuncture can be helpful.
Morning sickness
Morning sickness are common in early pregnancy. Some women will experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, reflux, and sensitivity to certain foods and smells. It can be quite overwhelming.
Acupuncture can offer a natural and safe way to alleviate morning sickness. Research on severe morning sickness, known as hyperemesis, have shown that women who received acupuncture needed shorter hospital stays. They also experienced fewer miscarriages and adverse events.
If you are unable to keep fluids down, are losing weight, or feel dehydrated, seek medical advice promptly.
Turning breech babies
Acupuncture can be a helpful tool in managing breech, posterior, transverse, and oblique presentations.
We understand that having your baby in a position other than the optimal one for labour can be a significant concern. Often, there’s no clear reason why a baby ends up in a breech position. However, you’re not alone in this journey. Gentle, safe methods like acupuncture can help encourage your baby to move into the optimal position for birth.
Timing is crucial. As your baby grows, there’s less room for them to turn. If your baby is in a breech position, don’t delay, reach out to us. Ideally, we’d like to hear from you by the 32nd or 33rd week of your pregnancy. This allows time and space for your baby to turn. We’ve had patients whose babies have turned with the gentle help of acupuncture even in the final weeks of pregnancy, but the earlier you contact us, the better.
When applied correctly and in a timely manner, acupuncture can reduce the risk of a caesarean section. It’s a gentler, safer method of breech version (turning your baby) than external cephalic version (ECV).
Don’t wait for the uncertainty to turn into worry. Take the first step towards a healthier and more confident pregnancy journey. Contact us today to learn more about how acupuncture can assist you.
Happy you – happy baby
A stress-free, joyful pregnancy not only benefits you but also contributes to your baby’s happiness.
“studies examining maternal depression/anxiety during pregnancy and other indices of gestational stress have shown significant associations with emotional problems in children” Reference
Anxiety and depression in pregnancy can impact your wellbeing and, consequently, your baby’s health. The safety of antidepressants during pregnancy is a complex issue, and it is a moving target. As new studies emerge, sometimes we discover new, previously unknown side effects of these medications. Some antidepressants have been linked to complications in pregnancy and adverse effects on the baby. Even when used leading up to pregnancy, these drugs can potentially cause significant harm. While it’s crucial to discuss safety with your prescribing physician, we’re here to offer you a natural approach to managing your emotional wellbeing. Acupuncture has been shown to be both safe during pregnancy and effective for managing anxiety and depression.
Pregnancy depression
Pregnancy depression affects about 1 in 7 pregnant women. Importantly, the problem with it is not only the well-being of the expectant mother. Mother’s depression can impact the health of the developing baby. Risks are worrisome and include increased chance of preterm birth, smaller babies with smaller brains in proportion to their bodies, blunted stress response in babies, altered structure of the offspring’s brain to name a few.
Acupuncture offers a safe and effective alternative for depression during pregnancy.
Don’t let stress or depression cloud the joy of your pregnancy. Reach out to us today and discover how acupuncture can help nurture a happier, healthier you for a happier, healthier baby. Your wellbeing and your baby’s health are our top priorities.
Pregnancy acupuncture is endorsed by the World Health Organisation
The World Health Organisation recognises the benefits of acupuncture during pregnancy.
“In early pregnancy, acupuncture can be used for the prevention and treatment of morning sickness.”
“Acupuncture is useful if induction of labour is desired, such as in prolonged pregnancy; the effect is comparable with that of oxytocin by intravenous drip.”
“Acupuncture stimulates milk secretion after childbirth and can be used to treat deficient lactation…”
NHS, National Health Service is the publicly funded healthcare system of the United Kingdom. They advise caution when taking pharmaceutical medications during pregnancy.
“Ideally, you should avoid taking medicines when you’re pregnant”
Other pregnancy conditions acupuncture can help with
- postnatal depression
- high blood pressure / gestational hypertension / preeclampsia
- urinary incontinence
- anxiety
- insomnia
- insufficient lactation (insufficient production of breast milk)
- gestational diabetes
This is not an exhaustive list of conditions that could benefit from pregnancy acupuncture. If your condition is not listed, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help you understand how this time-proven therapy can benefit both you and your baby.
To conclude
In summary, acupuncture is a safe therapy for addressing pregnancy-related conditions, and can be used for preparing for conception, maintaining a healthy pregnancy, preparing for labor, and even aiding labor induction.
Don’t wait to start feeling better. Reach out to us today. Your wellbeing and your baby’s health are our top priorities.