Acupuncture during the Childbearing Year

Many women find themselves exploring natural therapies during the childbearing year, in preference to drugs with harmful side effects and invasive procedures involving potential risks to mother and child. Acupuncture is a gentle yet effective system of health care which encourages your body's innate intelligence and healing ability. It can be integrated with your regular prenatal care in order to provide relief for some common conditions experienced during pregnancy. Here are some common conditions you may experience during each phase of the childbearing year:

Pre-conception: Whether you and your partner are having difficulty conceiving, or you simply want to be at your healthy best before conception, acupuncture can assist in maximizing your fertility potential. Acupuncture has also been shown to improve the odds of having a successful IVF transfer

(See www.ivf1.com/acupuncture-ivf/ for a summary of research studies)

 First trimester: Acupuncture is an excellent choice in the treatment of common first trimester issues such as nausea and/or vomiting ("morning sickness"), fatigue, stress and emotional swings. Treatments are focused on gently calming your system to allow it to adjust to its new passenger.

Second trimester: Women often have more energy and feel best during their second trimester, yet still experience certain complaints such as neck/shoulder tension, back pain, pubic symphysis and joint pains, heartburn or digestive issues. Acupuncture can help alleviate these issues by opening blocked energy channels and encouraging circulation of Qi and Blood.

Third trimester: By the end of pregnancy, the weight and pressure of the fetus often causes such issues as low back pain, shortness of breath, edema, carpal tunnel syndrome and insomnia. Treatments are focused on symptom relief as well as building up Qi and Blood to allow a "harmonious" birth.