I remember the first time I got pregnant, you can put it down to hormones, but I remember being in shock as it happened so fast, elated as I realised I could get pregnant, fear of the unexpected. As the pregnancy progressed and morning sickness kicked in, I felt very ill. Nobody warns you that you go from feeling nauseous to throwing up anything while feeling hungry. It was like being on the boat that you couldn’t get off! Despite it all I still enjoyed the majority of being pregnant.
HOW ACUPUNCTURE CAN HELP
Acupuncture was really helpful at alleviating my symptoms as long as I could get to my appointments. When I was studying I was fascinated by the different stages and how Chinese medicine helps throughout the different trimesters.
The first 3 months we treat the mother to be and any deficiencies pre conception that can manifest as problems like morning sickness. The second and into the third trimester we treat the baby as needed to help with development and any issues that may occur. The last month reverts back to the mother.
Some symptoms that Acupuncture can be helpful for are as follows:
- Morning sickness
- Constipation or loose stools
- Anxiety
- Energy levels
- Sleep problems
- Headaches
- Hay fever
- Pelvic girdle pain or pubis synthesis disorder
- Musculoskeletal problems
The last month of pregnancy can often be the most stressful. There are various reasons like the last few days scrambling to finish work before your maternity leave kicks in, the midwifery checks and discussions about birth plans, making sure you have everything before the baby arrives and packing your hospital bag. The most stress is whether the baby will arrive in the 40-42 weeks that hospitals allow before they arrange a date for a medical induction. Acupuncture can be so helpful from this point.
In terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the last 4 weeks of your pregnancy are about the mother and preparing for birth. Research has shown that having weekly treatments from 36 weeks onwards can help women for the following reasons:
- Baby more likely to arrive around EDD (working with your hormone levels)
- Stress and anxiety
- Having a more controlled shorter labour with less stress
- Less need for medical interventions
- Better post natal recovery
- Post-natal treatments start within 10 days post birth onwards and can help for:
- Energy level depletion
- Helping with lactation and milk supply
- Regulating hormones
- Anxiety
YOU DON’T LIKE NEEDLES?
No problems! Needles aren’t for everyone. The most important thing is for you to relax so no point stressing yourself out. Instead why not try Reflexology?
It is a very relaxing gentle way of having a treatment without any use of needles using acupressure and massage on the feet to rebalance you and help with any pregnancy related symptoms and as a natural induction method.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vera Wong is a member of the British Acupuncture Council, Acupuncture Fertility Network and completed a degree in TCM Acupuncture from the University of Westminster. She treats a wide range of ailments from emotional to physical conditions and has a wealth of experience in fertility issues, pregnancy, and pediatric concerns. Vera is available for appointments at Fix East Village.