Pregnancy is a new and profound time in a woman’s life, a state of understanding that she is not only supporting herself, but creating and nourishing another life. Chinese medicine offers a natural and safe means to ease you through the many physical and emotional changes that occur during each trimester to help ensure a comfortable and healthy pregnancy.

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COMMON CONDITIONS TREATED DURING EACH TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY

 

First Trimester

• Morning sickness

• Frequent urination

• Fatigue

• Miscarriage prevention

• Colds and sinus congestion

• Digestion irregularities

• Constipation

 

Second Trimester

• Body Aches

• Sciatica

• Heartburn

• Varicose veins

• Hemorrhoids

• Pre-eclampsia

 

Third Trimester

• Edema

• Back pain

• Insomnia

• Anemia

• Anxiety

• Muscle cramps

• Breech position

• Delayed labor

 

 

BREECH POSITION

One out of every six pregnancies will have breech presentation. This is when the baby is in the upright position. Acupuncture and moxibustion can successfully turn the baby back into the head down position.  In some cases, as little as a single treatment can turn the baby. Moxa is used as a heat source to stimulate acupuncture points, and in addition to being used in the office, you may be sent home with a moxa stick and instructions on how to continue treatment.  A mother should always check with her midwife or doctor to ensure that the baby should be turned.

 

LABOR INDUCTION 

As your due date eagerly approaches, weekly acupuncture treatments can help prepare a mother for a smooth labor by relaxing the pelvic floor muscles, helping the baby lower into position, and alleviating anxiety and stress. Acupuncture can also be an effective tool to enhance labor.

 

Naturally, labor begins when the baby releases a small amount of the hormone, oxytocin, which signals the maternal hormones to initiate labor. By increasing blood circulation to the uterus, relaxing the pelvic floor muscles, lowering the baby and assisting in softening and ripening the cervix, acupuncture can help create a comfortable and conducive environment to encourage the baby to release oxytocin. Acupuncture can also aid in the calming of anxiety and relief of pain symptoms to ensure a more comfortable birth.

 

BIRTH SUPPORT

A birth doulas role is to help the mother to be have a positive and safe birth experience, no matter if it’s a hospital, home, or birth center birth. Leading up to the birth a doula can help create a birth plan, teach you how to advocate for yourself in labor, and what consent looks like.

 

A birth doula will help with:

• Breathing and relaxation techniques

• Labor positioning

• Massage for comfort

• Ensuring you eat and drink

• Letting you know when it’s time to go to the hospital if necessary

 

In the event a birth becomes complicated and requires medical assistance, a doula will stay by your side and support in any way she can. A doula will not make decisions but she will provide balanced information to help the couple make an informed decision.

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POST PARTUM

Chinese medicine can also be an invaluable tool during post-partum recovery. According to the ideologies of Chinese medicine, a new

mother loses much of her vital energy during childbirth. The post partum period is an important time for her to regain her energy and strength so that she can continue to care for herself and her new baby.

 

Common Conditions Treated During Post Partum Recovery

• Body aches and pains

• Constipation

• Depression

• Fatigue

• Hemorrhoids

• Healing from incisions

• Insufficient lactation

• Mastitis

• Persistent Lochia

• Sweating

• Urinary difficulty