Acupuncture is one of our absolute favourite modalities for helping pregnant women maintain optimal health. It’s a safe (there are literally hundreds of studies on acupuncture in pregnancy & fertility) and highly effective natural therapy that can be used to address a variety of pregnancy concerns include nausea, pain, anxiety and low energy.
Acupuncture is especially helpful in helping women prepare for labour and delivery. Pre-birth acupuncture is used from week 36 until the end of the pregnancy to promote a safe natural labour. Studies show that the use of specific acupuncture points in the weeks leading up to birth encourages the mother’s body to release prostaglandins; compounds that help to soften and ripen the cervix for labor. Acupuncture also increases oxytocin levels in order to gently encourage contractions, thereby reducing labour time. Aside from promoting a healthy and complication-free vaginal birth, pre-birth acupuncture can also be helpful when it comes to inducing labour in late pregnancy and can even encourage rotation of a breech-presenting baby.
Studies on pre-birth acupuncture demonstrate the following impressive statistics:
- 31% reduction in the need for epidurals
- 35% reduction in medical inductions for all women studied
- 43% reduction in the need for medical interventions in women having their first baby
- 32% reduction in caesarean delivery
- 9% increase in normal, uncomplicated vaginal births.
The weeks leading up to delivery can also be quite scary for patients as there are so many unknowns on the horizon. My pregnant patients love their pre-birth acupuncture sessions as they find these appointments to be incredibly relaxing. Acupuncture can be an extremely effective tool to calm the mind and reduce fears & anxiety during the 3rd trimester and I recommend that my patients begin pre-birth acupuncture weekly from weeks 36 until delivery.
If you have more questions, or if you live in Muskoka / Almaguin and are interested in a customized fertility support program you can book your in person visit here, we also offer natural fertility counselling to patients all over Ontario!
References:
- Betts D, Lennox S. Acupuncture for prebirth treatment: An observational study of its use in midwifery practice. Medical acupuncture 2006 May; 17(3):17-20
- Cardini F, Weixin H. Moxibustion for correction of breech presentation. JAMA 1998; 280:1580-1584
- Deadman P, Al-Khafaji M, Baker K. A Manual of Acupuncture. Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications, Eastland Press; 2001 p 103& 318
West Z. Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth..Churchill Livingstone; p2001 - Elden H, Ladfors l, Fagevik Olsen M, Ostaard H, Hagberg H. Effects of acupuncture and stabilising exercisers as adjunct to standard treatment in pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain: randomised singleblind controlled trail. BMJ 2005;330:761
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29482798
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22439880 - Rabl M, Ahner R, Bitschnau M, Zeisler H, Husslein P. Acupuncture for cervical ripening and induction of labour at term – a randomised controlled trail. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2001; 113 (23-24): 942-6
- Smith C, Crowther C, Beilby J. Acupuncture to treat neasea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a randomized trail. Birth.2002Mar:29 (1):1-9
- Smith C, Crowther C, Beilby J. Pregnancy outcome following women’s participation in a randomised controlled trial of acupuncture to treat nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. Complement Ther Med. 2002 Jun; 10(2):78-83.
- Rabl M, Ahner R, Bitschnau M, Zeisler H, Husslein P. Acupuncture for cervical ripening and induction of labour at term – a randomised controlled trail. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2001; 113 (23-24): 942-6
This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your Naturopathic doctor or primary care physician. Do not use the information in this document for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Always speak with your Naturopathic doctor before taking any medication or nutritional or herbal or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read online.
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