Acupuncture for Pregnancy, Childbirth and New Mothers
The journey from pregnancy into motherhood is both miraculous and daunting. As the fetus develops and becomes a baby, remarkable demands are placed upon your body as you become host to another life. As you physically carry that responsibility, your health and well being are challenged in many ways.
If you don’t want to use drugs, what can you do?
Pregnancy requires your body to work overtime to meet the needs of the growing life within you. Acupuncture is well suited to help you meet the everyday challenges of digestion, constipation and colds. It can also be helpful with pregnancy related nausea, respiratory and urinary infections, pelvic, low back, upper back and neck pain, leg cramps and carpal tunnel syndrome.
How can I increase my chances for having a natural childbirth?
In the weeks before childbirth, acupuncture can be used to prepare your body for labor. Studies have shown that women who receive acupuncture weekly in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy have more comfortable labors with fewer medical interventions (pitocin, epidural injections and cesarean sections.) Additionally, when needed, acupuncture can be used to turn the baby (with posterior or breach presentations) and induce labor.
Acupressure is an excellent way to manage pain and discomfort during labor. Your birthing partner or labor support person can be trained to use specialized acupressure points to help manage pain during labor. These acupressure techniques are easy to learn and are remarkably helpful in the labor process. Bring your partner to your acupuncture treatment so they can learn the acupressure points for labor support.
After the baby is born, new mothers are often challenged. Classically, the Chinese have viewed the first month as Zuo Yuezi or “sitting the month.” In this important time the mom is supported, nurtured and sheltered to help both the new mom and baby develop and bond.
Can acupuncture help new mothers? Yes! Acupuncture can help you with lactation problems, post-partum depression and the many physical issues that visit the new mother’s body.
Five Element Acupuncture supports the health of the mind, body and heart to come into balance in pregnancy, childbirth, motherhood and at any time in your life. Call us at 973.509.8464 • 212.529.1901 or book on line to schedule an appointment.
Acupuncture for Childbirth Preparation
Acupuncture is a powerful tool to help manage many of the problems women face during pregnancy. Exhaustion, depression, digestive issues, constipation, hemorrhoids, headaches, heartburn, insomnia, low back pain, nausea and stress related symptoms are successfully treated within the scope of acupuncture. It can also be helpful as an adjunctive therapy for gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory infections, UTI’s and more.
Weekly acupuncture during the last four weeks of pregnancy focuses on the preparation of a woman’s body for natural childbirth.
The goals of treatment include:
Studies have shown that pre-birth acupuncture significantly lowers the incidence of medical interventions including C-sections, epidurals and episiotomies. Women who have pre-birth acupuncture have shorter labors with less discomfort.
Acupressure can be utilized to support a woman during labor. Prior to labor the acupuncturist instructs the woman’s partner or labor coach on how to administer acupressure to specific points that will help to facilitate the childbirth process. For some childbirth pairs, we mark the most important points on the women’s body so they are easily accessed when needed.
For childbirth support during labour, I recommend using two or three points together. I’ll share the name of each point and a little about the spirit of each point. Please note: Some of these points are contraindicated during pregnancy.
Acupressure for Reinforcing Labor
SP6 The United Crossing of Three Yins – This is an earth point. Here, the spleen, kidney and liver channels meet and the nourishing force of Qi joins with vitality and strength (earth, water, wood.) This meeting point joins these great resources.
LI4 Union Valley – This is a metal point. Valleys are lush with resources and this point helps clear the body of what is no longer needed, and does so with great vitality, helping the energy to flow.
Acupressure During Labor
GB21 Well of the Shoulder – Baby Descending Point. Wood. Helps us to shoulder life’s burdens, to stand upright and remain balanced. Fresh water gives us inspiration and reserves to shoulder our responsibilities.
BL32 The Second Sacral Bone Notch – This is a water point – water always reaches its destination, it is both soft and strong. In addition to helping babies find their way into the world, it reduces pain during contraction, facilitates dilation.
Maintaining Stamina During Labor
KD1 Bubbling Spring – Also a water point. Bubbles up from the ground with great vitality. The source of vision which comes from growth. This spring taps into knowledge, tranquility, wisdom, creativity and courage.
ST36 To Walk in the Great Strength of Stillness – Earth point. Storehouse for putting things into action and moving with extra strength when things are difficult.
Pregnancy and childbirth are a treasured and sacred journey. Both acupuncture and acupressure are wonderful tools that can provide support for the transition.
By David Frome • Acupuncture • • Tags: acupressure, acupuncture, childbirth, childbirth preparation, labor, natural childbirth, pregnancy