Acupuncture in Pregnancy
Acupuncture is a very useful and valuable treatment in pregnancy and childbirth. It is also a very safe and effective treatment so long as your acupuncturist has specifically studied this area.
Acupuncture may be used to treat:
Miscarriage - both in terms of preventing miscarriage or helping in the treatment of inevitable miscarriage.
Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. This is a very popular treatment and is the most common condition I find patients referred to me for from midwives.
Heartburn
Constipation
Varicose veins, Haemorrhoids and vulval varicosities
Urinary Tract Infections
Pain
Anaemia
Tiredness, fatigue, exhaustion.
Insmonia and anxiety
Pre-natal depression
Vaginal discharge and itching, and general itching in pregnancy
Pregnancy-induced hypertension
Oedaema
Breech and posterior positions
Induction. This is the other one I get referrals for. Acupuncture can succesfully induce labour and can circumvent the need for chemical induction. I only do this treatment with the permission of you midwife.
Labour and delivery - whilst acupuncture can be great I rarely get involved with delivery as it is so difficult logistically. It is easy to teach some useful acupressure techniques though.
Acupuncture is also useful postnatally and is used for:
Post-natal depression
Mastitis
Pain or persistant uterine bleeding
Night sweats
Perineal discomfort
Breast-feeding problems
Insufficient lactation
Jamie Gisby - Acupuncture obstetrics and gynaecology in Gloucestershire - Gloucester, Cheltenham and Cirencester
