Acupuncture and Pregnancy

From morning sickness to breech babies, acupuncture may be the answer to your pregnancy problems.

Acupuncture and Pregnancy

• Look for a TCM practitioner or acupuncturist who has specialized training in obstetrical care.
• Acupuncture during pregnancy can help relieve everything from mild cases of morning sickness to severe nausea and vomiting.
• In the third trimester, research shows acupuncture can encourage babies to move so they're no longer in a breech position.
• Acupuncture pregnancy treatments can help prepare your body for labor and delivery and can also be used to induce labor once you've reached your due date.

hether you're vomiting your way through your first trimester or are plagued by pregnancy-related aches and pains in your second and third, acupuncture may be the key to relieving your discomfort. Here's how it can help you have a happier, healthier pregnancy in each trimester:

Acupuncture in the first trimester

Acupuncture during pregnancy can help with everything from mild cases of morning sickness to severe nausea and vomiting that require hospitalization, says Stephanie Curran, a registered Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner in Victoria, B.C. "Morning sickness usually starts at the six or seven week mark and, although we can treat patients at any time, it's best to start at the early onset of symptoms."

If you have a mild case of morning sickness, you may need to be treated once a week. More severe cases (if you're vomiting several times a day, for instance) may require treatment three times a week, or even every day. "Either way, you will know in three sessions whether acupuncture will help you," says Curran.

The use of acupuncture to treat morning sickness is one of the most widely researched applications of the treatment during pregnancy. Needling is done on acupoints on the insides of the wrists to relieve the symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Acupuncture can also be used in combination with other morning sickness treatments, such as Diclectin.

Acupuncture in the second trimester

Since the second trimester is often referred to as the "honeymoon" period of pregnancy, Curran doesn't see as many patients as she does in the first and third trimesters. However, acupuncture can help you get a good night's sleep and relieve your stress if you're feeling anxious about impending motherhood. Acupuncture is also helpful if you've started experiencing some of the aches and pains associated with pregnancy, such as low back pain, headaches or carpal tunnel syndrome.

Many TCM clinics have special "pregnancy pillows" to help ensure you feel comfortable throughout your treatment, but just be aware that some practitioners won't treat pregnant women because they haven't had the proper training. "It's important to look for a TCM practitioner or acupuncturist who has specialized training in obstetrical care," says Curran.

Acupuncture in the third trimester

Between 32 and 34 weeks, your TCM practitioner will start to look at your baby's position in the uterus. If your baby is breech (head up as opposed to down), a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that acupuncture and moxibustion were very successful at encouraging babies to move until they were no longer breech.

Moxibustion is a TCM treatment that involves burning an herb (mugwort) over different acupoints on the body–in the case of breech babies, the herb is held over a point on the feet. "It's a nice option during pregnancy because it's safe and non-invasive," says Curran. "It's most effective when done between 32 and 35 weeks because there is more room for the baby to move and change position."

By the time you hit the 36 to 37 week mark, acupuncture on points on your legs and lower back can help your cervix soften and efface in preparation for labor and delivery. Then, once you reach your due date, acupuncture can be used to induce labor. "Your cervix has to be ready before the treatment can be done," says Curran. "And you have about a 10 day window before medical intervention becomes more likely."

Acupuncture FAQ

Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about acupuncture:

1. How does it work?
Thin, sterile needles are inserted into points along energy channels (meridians) in the body in order to create an unblocked flow of energy, which can help reduce pain and inflammation, increase blood flow, promote relaxation and establish overall health.

2. Will it hurt?
Some people feel nothing at all when the needles are inserted, while others feel a slight "ache" as the needles are manipulated to stimulate energy flow. "Some sensation is okay, but nothing should hurt," says Curran. "Once the needles are in, you may go into a state of deep rest and relaxation–many people fall asleep."

3. Is it safe?
Acupuncture needles are sterile, single-use needles and are perfectly safe, says Curran. "There is a slight risk of some bruising to the area of treatment," she says. "But the needles are very fine–you can fit three or four acupuncture needles into the hollow of a regular needle that would be used for something like blood work." Certain acupoints should not be used during pregnancy except during labor, which is why it's important to visit a practitioner trained in obstetrics.

4. How long does a treatment take?
An acupuncture treatment typically lasts 45 minutes to an hour.