Acupuncture is a safe, natural health care method that can resolve many common complaints during pregnancy and help your body prepare for childbirth. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine, hair-thin needles at various points on your body to help regulate your nervous and digestive systems, balance hormones and nourish your reproductive system. Receiving acupuncture throughout your pregnancy helps reduce undesirable pregnancy symptoms, aches and pains. Acupuncture can also prepare your body for labor and help alleviate labor pain.
First Trimester
Your first trimester occurs from week 1 to 12 of gestation. Your hormones go through many changes during this period, which may cause undesirable symptoms. Acupuncture during your first trimester can set the stage for a healthy pregnancy, balance your system and improve blood flow to your uterus, which can help prevent miscarriage. Acupuncture can reduce morning sickness, alleviate nausea and vomiting, improve your energy and relieve constipation and heartburn. Since acupuncture helps regulate your nervous system and hormones, you may also experience an increased sense of well-being, relaxation and mood stability.
Second Trimester
Your second trimester occurs from weeks 13 to 28 of gestation. At this point of your pregnancy, your morning sickness usually subsides and you start to feel better. However, you may experience other minor discomforts as your pregnancy progresses and your baby continues to grow. Acupuncture can help relieve heartburn, constipation, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, back pain and pubic bone pain during your second trimester. If you have anemia, which can also occur during this phase of your pregnancy, your acupuncturist may also prescribe Chinese herbs.
Third Trimester
Your third trimester occurs from weeks 28 to 40 of gestation. At this point you may start to feel much larger and heavier as your baby grows to full-term size. You may start to feel more tired and uncomfortable. Acupuncture during your third trimester can help relieve shortness of breath, insomnia, back pain, constipation, heartburn, edema, pregnancy-induced hypertension and leg cramps. If your baby is not in optimal position for birth, such as a breech position, acupuncture can also help turn your baby and promote better fetal positioning, which will contribute to a smooth labor with less complications.
Preparing for Childbirth
According to Debra Betts, acupuncturist and midwife, receiving acupuncture in the weeks before your due date may effectively prepare your body for labor thereby reducing its length and your need for medical interventions. Betts recommends starting acupuncture treatments around 36 to 37 weeks of gestation and continuing at least once per week until your labor starts. Acupuncture can help ripen your cervix, promote good quality contractions, ensure your baby is in good position for labor and improve your energy. Research in New Zealand has shown that pre-birth acupuncture led to 35 percent decrease in inductions, 31 percent decrease in epidurals, 32 percent decrease in C-sections and 9 percent increase in vaginal births.
Labor
Acupuncture can help improve your pain tolerance during labor and reduce the need for medical interventions. Receiving acupuncture during labor can improve the regularity and strength of your contractions, increase endorphins and improve your pain tolerance. Acupuncture may also promote optimal fetal position during labor, reduce fatigue, improve your stamina, and help resume regular contractions if your labor slows or stalls.
References
- "Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth"; Zita West, SRN, SCM, L.Ac.; 2001
- Debra Betts: Acupuncture Treatment in Pregnancy and Childbirth
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