What Can Acupuncture Help With During Pregnancy?

Acupuncture during pregnancy… Is it an effective way to help manage the many health challenges you face during this time?

Pregnancy is an exciting but physically and emotionally challenging time for many women. From morning sickness during the early stages to the aches and pains as you progress through pregnancy… 

Most of these changes are entirely natural but that doesn’t mean you have to ‘put up’ with the discomfort without help! It also doesn’t necessarily mean you have to rely solely on conventional medical approaches either. In fact, such approaches don’t sit comfortably with a lot of women. 

This is where obstetric acupuncture comes in. When combined with understanding conventional obstetric care, it offers a natural approach to managing pregnancy-related symptoms.

So today, we are exploring the benefits of acupuncture during pregnancy. The specific symptoms it can help with along with answering key questions about its safety and timing…

Are There Benefits to Having Acupuncture During Pregnancy?

Acupuncture is widely recognised in countries like Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and New Zealand as being beneficial for various pregnancy symptoms. Specialist midwives in these regions receive training so they can integrate acupuncture into prenatal care as required. 

Here in the UK, this isn’t the case – midwives often recommend obstetric acupuncture but it’s not part of their formal training per se. So, if they want to administer it, they must obtain additional separate qualifications. Or send patients to obstetric acupuncturists…

Regardless, acupuncture is increasing in popularity as women seek relief that is safe for both them and their babies. In particular, pregnancy acupuncture can help with:

Morning Sickness 

Morning sickness, especially in the first trimester, is one of the most common early pregnancy discomforts and can significantly impact quality of life. Hyperemesis gravidarum for instance is a particularly severe type of morning sickness and can lead to hospitalisation.

Acupuncture is widely recognised as an effective way to reduce morning sickness.

Aches and Pains

As your body adapts to pregnancy, and your baby begins to put pressure on surrounding structures, you may experience back pain, pelvic discomfort, or headaches.

Acupuncture is particularly effective in targeting these aches and pains. Specifically, it can reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and relax tight muscles to provide holistic, drug free pain relief.

Depression and Emotional Wellbeing

Pregnancy and childbirth can be an emotional roller coaster of mood swings, highs, and lows.

Acupuncture releases endorphins and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system with many benefits for prenatal depression, stress, and anxiety.

Breech Babies 

In some cases, acupuncture and/or a technique called moxibustion can be used to help encourage a breech baby to move into the correct birth position. 

Moxibustion, like acupuncture, is an ancient Chinese practice that involves burning dried mugwort (moxa) close to a specific acupoint.

It’s thought the procedure stimulates hormone production, which encourages uterine contractions and makes the baby move around. The increased activity and contractions may then help it move into a better birth position.

Labour Pain 

Can acupuncture make labour easier?

Acupuncture can be used to prepare for labour and to reduce pain during delivery. 

This report for example found that acupuncture helps soften and dilate the cervix, which may potentially shorten labour.

There is also some evidence that acupressure to certain acupoints during labour can help manage pain.

Can Acupuncture Help with Pregnancy-Related Fatigue?

Tiredness and fatigue are common during pregnancy, most notably during the 1^st and 3^rd trimesters. Evidence indicates acupuncture can help with this by improving blood flow, balancing your hormones, and reducing stress.

Is Acupuncture Safe During Pregnancy?

Most studies verify that acupuncture, when performed by a trained professional, is generally safe during pregnancy. It doesn’t pose any known risks to your baby and is non-invasive and medication-free. 

However, it’s important your acupuncturist is trained to administer obstetric acupuncture because not all acupoints are suitable for pregnancy. Some also need to be avoided altogether to avoid complications like pre-term labour.

Acupuncture Points to Avoid During Pregnancy

Given that acupuncture can be used to induce labour or stimulate uterine contractions, it’s important your acupuncturist knows which acupoints to use for the condition being treated. And which ones to avoid…

For example, an experienced practitioner will be aware of the following acupoints and avoid them unless the goal is to help with labour induction.

• LI4 (Hegu): Located on the hand between the thumb and index finger. Typically used to induce labour.
• SP6 (Sanyinjiao): Found above the ankle. It may cause uterine contractions.
• BL60 (Kunlun): Situated near the ankle. Also associated with inducing labour.

When To Start Acupuncture During Pregnancy?

When do you need the specific benefits of acupuncture during pregnancy can provide?

Various acupoints target different pregnancy symptoms. As particular symptoms occur during different stages of pregnancy, you would typically start acupuncture when the symptoms you want help with are happening. If you want relief from morning sickness for instance, you would start acupuncture during the 1^st trimester. 

If it’s pain relief for backaches, help with digestive issues, or combating fatigue, these symptoms typically start during the 2^nd trimester so you would likewise start acupuncture then.

Similarly, acupuncture to help with the birth process, or correcting a breech baby, would start during the 3^rd trimester. 

How Often Should You Have Acupuncture During Pregnancy?

This will depend on what you need, how you respond to treatment, and the specific symptoms being addressed. Generally – most women start with weekly sessions and adjust as required. Closer to full term, you may move to twice weekly sessions but again – it really depends on the individual being treated.

Conclusion: What Can Acupuncture Help With During Pregnancy?

Acupuncture is a safe, natural, effective, and drug-free way to manage various pregnancy-related symptoms. 

From helping with physical discomfort such as back pain, nausea, or headaches; to improving emotional wellbeing by reducing stress and anxiety; or preparing for labour, acupuncture during pregnancy is a good way to support your physical and emotional health. 

Incorporating regular acupuncture sessions into your prenatal care routine can provide a sense of ease and overall wellbeing right throughout your pregnancy.