ACUPUNCTURE FOR FERTILITY & PREGNANCY
Acupuncture is a safe, comfortable and cost effective treatment that has a long history of helping couples with Fertility Issues, and as there are no drugs involved with this form of treatment it is extremely beneficial to women suffering from many of the common ailments that present during pregnancy.
Why should I get Acupuncture for Fertility Issues?
Using a set of acupuncture points specifically chosen for the individual acupuncture will help to ease the cause of infertility and improve the likelihood of conception.
Acupuncture can help to improve your Fertility by:
Regulating the Menstrual cycle - A regular 28-30 day cycle with good quality fertile mucus, pain free ovulation mid-cycle, little or no premenstrual symptoms and a pain free period with efficient bleeding indicates a balanced menstrual cycle. This is essential to improve your chances at conceiving.
Improve the quality of Fertile Mucus - Fertile mucus appears several days prior to ovulation and is required to help nourish the sperm and guide it to the egg.
Regulate Ovulation- An ovulation occurring on day 13 -15 of a cycle indicates that the egg is being released at its optimal development time.
Promote a viable pregnancy - Acupuncture can be used in the early stages of pregnancy to help promote maternal and foetal wellbeing. There are treatments to aid with any problems during pregnancy such as morning sickness, breech presentation, anaemia, blood pressure problems and muscular skeletal pain, as well as treatment protocols to prepare for childbirth.
Why should I get Acupuncture during Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is an exciting and wonderful time. However, with the many physical and hormonal changes that occur, it can also be a time of discomfort. Many pregnant women suffer from fatigue, nausea, backache and other conditions that are considered a "normal" part of pregnancy. Acupuncture is a safe, gentle and effective way to address these complaints, especially since many Western medications can't be used during this time.
Regular acupuncture during pregnancy sets the foundation for a healthy mother and baby. In addition, women who receive acupuncture during pregnancy often have a shorter and easier birth experience than women who don't receive acupuncture. Several European studies concluded that women who received acupuncture once a week during the last month of pregnancy had significantly shorter labour than women who did not receive any acupuncture.
Conditions treatable with Acupuncture during Pregnancy
· Nausea and vomiting
· Heartburn
· Constipation
· Varicose veins
· Musculoskeletal conditions (back, neck and shoulder pain)
· Fatigue and exhaustion
· Anaemia
· Insomnia
· Anxiety and depression
· Itching in pregnancy
· Sinusitis
· Pregnancy-induced hypertension (High blood pressure)
· Oedema
· Breech and posterior positioned babies
· Induction
· Pre-birth treatment to prepare the body for an efficient labour
· Acupressure for pain relief during labour
· Postpartum recovery
Pre-Birth Acupuncture Treatment
This involves a series of four treatments weekly from 36 or 37 weeks to prepare for labour. Points are used according a woman's constitution and pregnancy history. These include points to ripen the cervix, to help position the baby in the best presentation for labour and to promote optimal energy and stamina for women to enter into labour.
Benefits to Pre-Birth Acupuncture
· Energy & Stamina Boost for mother
· Baby is helped into best position for birth
· Shorter labour
· Lowers the chances of patient needing to be induced
· Lowers the chances of emergency caesarean sections being necessary
Data on 169 women was gathered by 14 midwives as part of their midwifery practice in
An overall 35% reduction in the number of inductions (for women having their first baby this was a 43% reduction)
A 31% reduction in the epidural rate.
When comparing midwifery only care to women receiving pre-birth acupuncture there was a:
32% reduction in emergency caesarean delivery
A 9 % increase in normal vaginal births.
There was no difference in the onset of early labour in those women receiving pre-birth acupuncture.
General Treatment Plan for Pregnancy
Acupuncture during the first trimester focuses on setting the foundation for a healthy pregnancy. Treatments are given to prevent miscarriage and to address any early pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea and fatigue. At the end of the first trimester a special traditional treatment is given, using what is called the "beautiful baby point," to ensure a healthy baby. For optimum results, the recommended frequency of treatments during the first trimester is once a week.
Acupuncture during the second trimester aims to maintain balance and offer relief from many of the common complaints of pregnancy. At the end of the second trimester the traditional "beautiful baby" treatment is given again. The recommended frequency of treatments for the second trimester is evaluated for each individual. Patients may come one to two times per month if the pregnancy is uncomplicated and there are no complaints. If addressing a certain issue, patients may need to come more frequently.
Acupuncture during the third trimester prepares the body for labour and delivery. Pre- birth treatment is begun at 36 – 37 weeks to prepare for labour. Treatment is given for breech presentation between weeks 32-36. Treatment for labour induction can be given anytime after week 39 if there are no complications with the pregnancy.
During the third trimester, patients are encouraged to receive weekly treatments to ensure a smooth labour and delivery. Studies show that women who receive regular acupuncture during the third trimester typically have shorter and more productive labour.
