Supporting Your Pregnancy Journey with Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine
Author: Renee Boyd, Acupuncturist
Pregnancy is a beautiful and transformative time in a woman's life. As your body undergoes hormonal shifts, physical changes, and emotional fluctuations, it’s natural to seek support for the challenges that arise during this extraordinary journey. As an experienced practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), I offer gentle, holistic care through acupuncture to help ensure your pregnancy is as comfortable, balanced, and healthy as possible.
How Can TCM & Acupuncture Support You During Pregnancy?
Acupuncture, an integral part of TCM, has been used for thousands of years to support women through various stages of pregnancy. From the first trimester to post-birth recovery, acupuncture offers a safe, non-invasive, and drug-free solution to common pregnancy-related discomforts.
As an experienced registered practitioner, I tailor treatments to meet your unique needs, supporting both your physical and emotional well-being during this extraordinary time. Let’s take a closer look at how acupuncture and traditional medicine can benefit you throughout your pregnancy.
How Can TCM & Acupuncture Support You During Pregnancy?
1. Easing Morning Sickness & Nausea
Morning sickness affects many pregnant women, often leading to fatigue and dehydration. Research shows that acupuncture is highly effective in reducing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, with studies highlighting acupuncture as a valuable option for pregnant women seeking relief without medications (Smith et al., 2002). Specific acupuncture points, such as Pericardium 6 (PC6), can help to soothe nausea, allowing you to feel more comfortable in the early stages.
2. Reducing Fatigue & Boosting Energy
Pregnancy can often leave you feeling exhausted, especially during the first trimester. TCM focuses on nourishing Qi (vital energy) and Blood, ensuring your body has the energy it needs to support both you and your growing baby. Acupuncture works to balance energy levels and combat fatigue, helping you feel rejuvenated and more capable of handling the demands of daily life.
3. Alleviating Joint & Muscle Pain
As your body grows and changes, the added weight can put strain on your muscles and joints, leading to discomfort. Acupuncture can help ease muscle pains, back pain, pelvic girdle pain, and sciatica by reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and releasing tension in affected areas. Studies show that acupuncture is particularly effective in relieving lower back and pelvic pain, with a marked improvement in the quality of life for pregnant women (Wedenberg et al., 2000).
4. Managing Digestive Issues
Digestive issues such as heartburn, constipation, and bloating are common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and the growing uterus. Acupuncture and TCM principles aim to harmonise digestion, promote regular bowel movements, and reduce reflux, ensuring you feel more comfortable throughout the day. Acupoints like Stomach 36 (ST36) can assist in restoring digestive health during pregnancy.
5. Supporting Sleep & Emotional Well-Being
Pregnancy can bring on anxiety, mood swings, and insomnia, making it hard to get the rest you need. Acupuncture provides a natural remedy for insomnia by regulating the central nervous system and reducing stress. Points like Shen Men (HT7) help calm the mind, alleviate stress, and restore a peaceful sleep. Additionally, acupuncture helps regulate mood swings by balancing hormonal fluctuations and enhancing emotional resilience.
6. Preparing for Labour & Birth
As your pregnancy progresses, acupuncture can support your body’s preparation for labour and enhance your overall experience.
Traditional Chinese Medicine at this stage can help:
-
Cervical Ripening: Acupuncture has been shown to promote cervical ripening, which can make the cervix softer and more favourable for labour (Gribel et al., 2011).
-
Shortening Labour Duration: Acupuncture has been found to reduce the overall duration of labour, especially the active phase, leading to a more efficient labour process (Makvandi et al., 2016).
-
Reducing the Need for Medical Interventions: Studies have shown that acupuncture can reduce the need for interventions such as induction, epidurals, and caesarean sections (Elden et al., 2005).
-
Breech Presentations: One of the key benefits of acupuncture in the later stages of pregnancy is its ability to help turn breech babies. Studies have shown that acupuncture, especially when combined with moxibustion (a heat therapy), significantly increases the chances of a breech baby turning to the correct position for birth (van den Berg et al., 2008). Moxibustion is a safe and effective technique that involves the burning of a special herb near the little toe, stimulating the baby to move into the head-down position.
Acupuncture During Each Trimester
Trimester One (0-12 Weeks)
In this early stage, acupuncture is helpful for alleviating morning sickness, fatigue, and anxiety. Regular treatments nourish both your body and mind, supporting overall well-being during this critical developmental phase.
Trimester Two (13-26 Weeks)
As pregnancy progresses, you may experience issues such as back pain, sciatica, and pelvic discomfort. Acupuncture offers effective relief from these symptoms while supporting healthy digestion and maintaining energy levels. This stage is also ideal for addressing emotional health and stress reduction.
Trimester Three (27-40 Weeks)
In the final trimester, acupuncture can help relieve discomforts like heartburn, leg cramps, and sleep difficulties. You can start preparing for labour in your third trimester (around 28 weeks), with acupuncture appointments focused on preparing the body both physically and emotionally for childbirth. From around 34 weeks, weekly appointments focus on preparing your body for labour by encouraging optimal positioning, supporting cervical ripening, and reducing stress levels, all while promoting emotional balance and mental clarity.
Evidence-Based Support for Traditional Chinese Medicine in Pregnancy
Research continues to highlight the positive outcomes of acupuncture during pregnancy and is widely considered a safe treatment option when performed by a qualified and experienced practitioner (World Health Organisation, 2002).
At Darling Health, I take a collaborative approach to your care, working alongside your other healthcare providers to offer personalised, patient-centred support throughout your pregnancy. From preconception to postpartum, I’m here to guide and empower you with the tools and care you need for a healthy and balanced experience.
If you'd like more information or to schedule an appointment, feel free to reach out. I’m here to support you every step of the way on this journey.
--------------------------------
References
Elden H, Ladfors L, Olsen MF, Ostgaard HC, Hagberg H. Effects of acupuncture and stabilising exercises as adjunct to standard treatment in pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain: randomised single blind controlled trial. BMJ. 2005 Apr 2;330(7494):761. doi: 10.1136/bmj.38397.507014.E0. Epub 2005 Mar 18. PMID: 15778231; PMCID: PMC555879.
Gribel GP, Coca-Velarde LG, Moreira de Sá RA. Electroacupuncture for cervical ripening prior to labor induction: a randomized clinical trial. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2011 Jun;283(6):1233-8. doi: 10.1007/s00404-010-1526-x. Epub 2010 Jun 8. PMID: 20532541.
Makvandi S, Mirzaiinajmabadi K, Sadeghi R, Mahdavian M, Karimi L. Meta-analysis of the effect of acupressure on duration of labor and mode of delivery. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2016 Oct;135(1):5-10. doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2016.04.017. Epub 2016 Jul 29. PMID: 27569023.
