Acupuncture for a Happy, Healthy, and Easy Pregnancy

Check out our latest article that is published in The Meath Coaster Magazine, December Issue page 40:

Pregnancy is a wonderful time in a woman's life and for some women it is a “once in a lifetime” event. In an ideal world each of us would sail through pregnancy and acupuncture can help us just do that.

Acupuncture is the treatment of choice for pregnant women because it is safe and drug free, but mostly because it works. Acupuncture treatments can address pre-existing health conditions as well as pregnancy related conditions and could truly be the key to your happy, healthy pregnancy.

In early pregnancy, women turn to acupuncture to prevent miscarriage, relieve nausea & vomiting and also increase their energy levels.  As pregnancy progresses, acupuncture treatments can relieve a variety of conditions including back pain & sciatica, SPD, constipation & haemorrhoids, varicose veins, anaemia, anxiety, insomnia etc.

In the 3d trimester, many women with breech babies think that a planned C-section is their only option when in fact acupuncture, and more particularly moxibustion, excels at turning breech babies. In a moxibustion treatment, a moxa stick (mugwort) is held over acupuncture points for 20min. Women are taught how to use and given moxa sticks to have their partner repeat the treatment for 10 consecutive days at home.  The earlier you start the better and success rates can be as high as 90% if performed around 34 weeks, but babies can still turn in the 39th week.

Moxibustion can also help babies that are not breech but are not in the optimal position prior to birth, such as those in a posterior or transverse position.

In the final 4 to 6 weeks of pregnancy, pre-birth acupuncture can help women prepare for childbirth.  The focus of these treatments is to soften and ripen the cervix, relax the pelvis, help position the baby in the best presentation, promote relaxation and build up energy reserves ahead of childbirth.

Studies show that benefits of pre-birth acupuncture include going into labour spontaneously, a shorter duration of labour, a more efficient labour with a reduced need for pain relief and medical intervention such as forceps, ventouse, or C-section.

It is also possible to perform an acupuncture induction a few days prior to a scheduled medical induction.

In the postnatal period, post birth acupuncture can help women recover from childbirth. This series of 4 to 6 weekly treatments focuses on replenishing energy levels and aiding with recovery. There is a specific moxibustion treatment call “mother warming” that can be done 4 to 5 days after birth”.  At this time, acupuncture can also relieve many conditions including, after pains, postnatal depression, low milk supply, mastitis,

No matter how far along you are in your pregnancy, Sabine Niamh and Sharon are here to support all your pregnancy needs. We can assist in preventing common pregnancy ailments as well as maintaining your general wellbeing.

---