Pregnancy
Pregnant? Acupuncture, TCM and Massage Therapy can facilitate comfortable and healthy pregnancies and help you prepare for a satisfying birth experience.
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture is an effective and safe treatment option for women to manage their health concerns and complaints while pregnant. I joyfully support women through the miracle of pregnancy and support you through the many physical and emotional changes that occur with confidence and care.
Acupuncture in Pregnancy can help with
Morning Sickness, Heartburn, constipation
Insomnia and Anxiety
Threatened Miscarriage
Pain: Hip/Pelvic, Sciatica, headaches, Carpal Tunnel, Varicocities
Optimal Fetal Positioning, Breech, Posterior
Cervical Ripening and Post term induction
Birth support Acupuncture (In labour)
Postpartum and Breastfeeding support
Acupuncture of optimal fetal positioning
Acupuncture and moxibustion (the warming of a specific acupuncture point with an herbal stick) can be helpful to support optimal positioning for a baby who by 34-35 weeks is still breech or at 36-38 weeks is facing posterior or for a baby at 39-40 weeks who has not yet descended. Our intention is for the mother and baby to have the gentlest birth possible. With treatments, we help in regulating the woman’s energy, lowering her stress, in opening the pelvis and by increase fetal movements so that if the baby is able and choses to turn, and descend, the conditions will be optimal. The baby however may know something we don’t and since our treatments are non invasive they are completely safe. In these cases we trust that the baby will remain in the position that is safest and best for them.
Acupuncture for Birth Preparation
Pre-birth acupuncture consists of a series of weekly Acupuncture sessions beginning at 36-37 weeks until the spontaneous onset of labor. During these treatments we can address both your pregnancy complaints, treat baby’s positioning as well as to help prepared for a smooth and efficient labor.
Cervical Ripening is another way to describe birth preparation with its emphasis on relaxing the mom, increasing her energy, opening and regulating the energy of the pelvis, moving blood flow to the reproductive organs which in turn helps the body soften and prepare for an easy and gentle birth. These treatments aim is to help the body get ready to initiate labor on its own when both the mother and baby are ready and that labor is as smooth as possible thereby minimizing medical intervention.
A New Zealand study published in 2006 found that women who received weekly acupuncture in the 4 weeks prior to birth had a:
A 35% reduction in the number of medical inductions
A 31% reduction in epidural use
A 32% reduction in emergency C-section rate
A 9% increase in normal vaginal births
Acupuncture and Labor Induction
Labour induction Acupuncture may help induce the start of labor as a last option 3-4 days before a medical induction is scheduled. I strongly believe in a women’s innate wisdom and ability to birth her baby though it can be beneficial to help the conditions be optimal for an easy birth. Birth preparation treatments facilitate the body’s own knowing so it may begin labor when both the mother’s body and baby are perfectly synchronized and ready.
Occasionally, there is a medical necessity to hasten this process or a woman choses a medical induction when she is “overdue”. In these cases, Acupuncture can be used to stimulate the uterus to either help avoid the medical induction or to work with it so that the woman may need the least amount of intervention possible. I aim to provide effective, informative and non-judgemental support in women’s medical choices.
Acupuncture for postpartum recovery
After giving birth, the body goes through many hormonal changes that can manifest both physically and emotionally. Acupuncture can help moderate these hormonal changes, smooth this transition and help the woman recover. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help speed recovery and stabilize the mood and increase milk supply.
Proper rest, support and self care in the postpartum period are vital for a smooth recovery as parents focus on the immense task of caring for their newborn(s). It can be a very challenging time. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help you in this recovery in both routine care or to help symptoms such as; constipation, urinary and pelvic floor problems, insomnia, back pain, hip pain, low milk supply, carpal tunnel, insomnia, night sweats, postpartum depression, or fatigue associated with the postpartum time.
Acupuncture for lactation support
There are specific acupuncture points as well as herbal remedies that can increase the milk supply in lactating women. I have some experience with assisting in breastfeeding and addressing latch problems and always recommend seeking help from a lactation consultant if needed. We can also discuss dietary and lifestyle changes to support healthy milk supply.
Learn more about Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
Massage Therapy and Pregnancy
A woman’s body undergoes major physiological, structural and emotional changes during pregnancy.
Some women experience muscle and joint pain. Stress, anxiety, depression and fatigue can also be problematic for pregnant women.
Pregnancy-related low back and pelvic pain has an impact on daily life for many women. A recent study has shown this type of pain is prevalent in 72% of pregnant women.
Registered Massage Therapists may help:
Reduce general muscle tension and pain
Decrease stress, depression and anxiety
Improve mood and sleep
Decrease back and pelvic pain
Reduce headaches
Manage symptoms of edema & sciatica
Learn more about Massage Therapy
