Acupuncture in Pregnancy

Rapid hormonal and physical changes during pregnancy are often accompanied by a variety of maladies. While symptoms usually clear at the conclusion of the pregnancy, they can make for a miserable nine months. Pregnant woman are limited in the number of medications they can take for relief and may be in search of a safe alternative treatment such as acupuncture. Any woman considering acupuncture should not only seek the treatment of a licensed acupuncturist, she should also consult with her doctor or midwife.

History

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical practice. According to Acupuncture Care, the symbols of yin and yang came to Fu Hsi during his meditations on nature. Yin and yang represent creation and reception, the duality that, when fused, creates a third aspect, called qi, or energy. This third aspect forms the basis of Fu Hsi's I-Ching, which informs all of Chinese medicine and acupuncture.

Function

The body contains a series of channels, called meridians. These meridians carry qi throughout the body. When qi is blocked, the body may no longer function at optimum levels. Acupuncture, or the insertion of thin, disposable needles at appropriate points in the body, releases qi. Melissa B. Light of Austin, Texas, says "it can take one needle in one pressure point one time, or it can take up to three complete treatments to experience some relief."

Benefits

The benefits of acupuncture during pregnancy are many. In her book, "The Essential Guide to Acupuncture in Childbirth and Pregnancy," registered nurse Debra Betts compiles research that links acupuncture to nausea relief, safe labor induction, reversal of breech presentation, pelvic pain relief and digestive relief. The Mothering website's "Acupuncture, Baby?" explores the link between acupuncture and relief from anxiety and depression.

Warning

"There are over 300 points that are used in acupuncture," says Light. "Some of these points are considered 'forbidden in pregnancy,' or FIP, because they can start labor." These points should only be used when a pregnancy is term at 40 or more weeks and a woman has discussed natural labor induction with her acupuncturist and doctor or midwife. Major points to be avoided during pregnancy are spleen-6 (SP-6), located four finger-widths above the ankle on the inside of the leg; large intestine-4 (LI-4), located in the webbing between the thumb and index finger; gallbladder-21 (GB-21), located in the middle of the upper back.

Expert Insight

Some Western experts agree that acupuncture is effective. "Acupuncture does have real effects on the human body, which scientists are documenting using high-tech tools," says Melinda Beck in "Decoding an Ancient Therapy," which appeared in the March 22, 2010, Wall Street Journal. She says neuroimaging, thermal imaging and Doppler ultrasound all illustrate that acupuncture is a safe and natural treatment for a variety of conditions, including those specific to pregnancy.