Acupuncture has been known to effectively ease the pregnancy and labor process. Having acupuncture therapy during pregnancy is common in Germany, France and China.
Acupuncture is traditionally used during pregnancy to help relieve nausea, bladder discomfort, mood swings, and other symptoms. Its effects are profound and it can be used safely during the last month of pregnancy to help women who are past their due date or to turn a baby who is breech. There are good successes with acupuncture to help inducing labor, for pain control in pregnancy, and to control postpartum bleeding. After birth, acupuncture can help speeding up recovery.
In the combined application of acupuncture and physiotherapy, pregnant women will get benefits physically and emotionally. Physiotherapy can treat and educate to prevent back and pelvic pain of pregnant women. Correcting pre-natal and post-natal postural alignment is helpful
Acupuncture for a Healthy Mother and Baby
Acupuncture treatment once or twice a month during pregnancy is valuable for both Mom and Baby. It will help ensure optimal health of the mother and the fetus at different stages of development, cell differentiation and growth. It can also prevent and treat pregnancy-related symptoms. This is a great option when the mother wants treatment as natural as possible.
One popular acu-point used during pregnancy is Zhubin (K9) known as “the beautiful baby point. It is said to calm the mind, relieve anxiety, build blood and benefit the fetus.
During the final 4 to 6 weeks of pregnancy, weekly treatments are recommended to help prepare for labor. Typically women usually only feel a mild pressure or heaviness sensation at the site of the needle insertion.
Acupuncture for Labor Induction and Childbirth:
For pregnancies that have gone beyond their due date, acupuncture is amazingly valuable to help induce a natural labor.
Acupuncture stimulate and direct the mother’s energy to get her chemical feedback loops for strong contractions and cervical dilation. It is safe and encourages the body to go into a natural labor. Acupoints to induce labor are deliberately avoided during the 9 months of pregnancy, and are now used freely to encourage uterine contraction. Acupuncture for labor induction will also help to tonify the mother’s vital energy as well as calm her anxiety. This helps her to relax, which also facilitates a healthy delivery. Daily acupuncture treatment for 3 to 5 days is usually sufficient to induce labor.
Acupuncture for Post-Partum Recovery:
After delivery, acupuncture assists the normal recuperative process. It can help relieve backache and ease pain of the perineal area. It is also ideal for preventing and treating post-partum depression. So, even though the new mom will be busy tending to her newborn, it is important that she still get her acupuncture treatments. All women would benefit from receiving acupuncture throughout their pregnancies. Acupuncture is valuable to ensure a healthy mother and fetus and to address pre-existing and pregnancy-related symptoms during pregnancy.
