by Kelly Zeng, R.TCM.P.
Acupuncture is a highly effective, safe, and natural method for many concerns that women have during their pregnancy. In recent years, acupuncture has been gaining more and more recognition for helping pregnant women maintain optimal health.
Pre-birth acupuncture is when a woman is treated in her final weeks of pregnancy at about week 36/37 and right up to labour. As your journey toward giving birth approaches, you are trying to make all of the preparations necessary to gently and safely welcome your baby into the world. Pre-birth acupuncture can promote a safe, efficient, and natural labour.
A study has found that pre-birth acupuncture resulted in the following:
- 35% reduction in medical inductions (43% reduction for women having their first baby)
- 31% reduction in epidurals
- 32% reduction in emergency caesarean delivery
- 9% increase in normal, uncomplicated vaginal births.
Pre-birth acupuncture will encourage the mother’s body to naturally release prostaglandins to soften and ripen the cervix for labour, and oxytocin to trigger contractions, thus reducing labour time. It also helps to calm the mind to reduce fears and anxiety during the labour. Aside from promoting a smooth vaginal birth, pre-birth acupuncture can also be individually tailored to include points that encourage rotation of a breech-presenting baby, encourage a post-date pregnancy to move forward, and treat late pregnancy symptoms such as heartburn, leg cramps, back pain, insomnia, swollen hands and feet, and fatigue.
It is recommended that pregnant women start pre-birth acupuncture weekly from weeks 36 to 37 onwards. The treatment will takes 30-45 minutes, and most acupuncture points will be on the arms and legs, based on concerns the mother might have and the history of the pregnancy. Contact us if you have any questions, would like to book and appointment for yourself, or want to gift some acupuncture sessions to an expecting mother.