Pregnancy

Acupuncture in pregnancy, for breech babies and for birth preparation

Pregnancy can be an exciting, special time. However carrying a baby can place many physical and emotional demands on the body. Woman are frequently concerned about the use of medication in pregnancy and this concern often leads them to try acupuncture. Acupuncture is a safe, natural treatment that can be used any time in pregnancy.

Woman seek acupuncture for a whole range of problems including back pain, headaches and migraines, insomnia, constipation, anxiety, depression and a general feeling of exhaustion. Lydia has experience of treating all of these conditions.

Acupuncture can also be used in the run up to birth. Acupuncture, or more specifically, moxabustion is a common treatment for turning breech babies. The optimum time to do this is at 34 weeks gestation. Babies can still turn right up until the end of pregnancy although the likelihood becomes less with each passing day. The woman, and preferably her birth partner, need to attend for one appointment. During this appointment they are shown how to use the moxabustion to encourage the baby to turn. They then go home and carry on this technique for the next 7-10 days.

Acupuncture can also be used to prepare the body for labour (from week 37 onwards). The holistic nature of acupuncture means that it works alongside the changing hormonal states of the body to stimulate uterine contractions and dilate the cervix. Woman often report feeling calm and relaxed after treatment – a good state to be in for a successful labour.

Woman also seek acupuncture for induction of labour, often with the expressed desire of avoiding medical induction. Given that no two pregnancies are the same it is always difficult to say how many treatments are needed but most commonly it is 2 or 3, although in some cases it can happen after one session.

Lydia has a post-graduate Diploma in Gynaecology, Fertility & Obstetrics from the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine (CICM) in Reading.