About Acupuncture for Pregnancy Care

Below are information shared from Debra Betts' subject on Acupuncture for pregnancy care, click to see her web link (1):

Miscarriage

Threatened miscarriage

Early pregnancy supportive care

Nausea and vomiting

Constipation and hemorrhoids

Varicose veins and vulval varicosities

Headaches and migraines

Musculoskeletal conditions such as back pain, pelvic and hip pain

Fatigue and exhaustion

Anxiety and depression

Itching in pregnancy

Hypertension disorders including Pregnancy-induced hypertension

Gestational diabetes

Breech and posterior positioned babies

Preparation for a medical Induction

Prebirth acupuncture to prepare the body for an efficient labor

Acupressure taught to support people to use for pain relief during labor

Postpartum recoveryThe Stress And Health Of Pregnant Women Can Be Helped With Acupuncture Therapy

This involves a series of four treatments weekly from 36 or 37 weeks to prepare for labor. Points are used according to a woman's constitution and pregnancy history. This may include points used to assist in ripening the cervix, positioning the baby in the best presentation for labor and to promote optimal energy and stamina for women. For further information on research involving pre-birth acupuncture click here to see Debra Betts' web link 

are ideally treated between 34 - 36 weeks gestation. This is often a one-off treatment with women being shown how to continue treatment at home with a moxa stick (a herb that has been shaped into a cigar-like stick). The moxa stick is lit and held over specific places in the body to stimulate the acupuncture points. For further information on research into using moxa therapy to treat breech presentations click here see Debra Betts' web link

Further information on the use of acupuncture, acupressure, and moxibustion in pregnancy can be found in Debra's text  The Essential Guide to Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth

For some conditions, such as vulval varicosities, acupuncture treatments may be used just a form of maintenance, the condition may be resolved by itself after baby birth. Acupuncture offers help for women going through pregnancy, it is a safe intervention, with no side effects, some may experience minor discomforts but no adverse events. Jason's own clinical experience suggests similar results, with some patients reporting noticeable improvements after 1 - 2 treatments. 

Jason has gained precious knowledge and experiences in Dr. Debra Betts' (PhD) Hutt Hospital antenatal clinic.  

1. Debra Betts - Acupuncture and Acupressure for Pregnancy and Childbirth [Internet]. [cited 2017 Apr 10]. Available from: https://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/acupuncture/research/pelvic-pain/