Pregnancy & Miscarriage
At Unity Acupuncture we are all experienced fully trained in obstetric acupuncture to support you throughout your pregnancy. With all treatments value is placed upon supporting and strengthening mother and baby as well as dealing with any problems during your pregnancy.
Acupuncture offers a safe, effective and drug free option in pregnancy.
Conditions we commonly treat during pregnancy
Nausea/ Vomiting
Threatened miscarriage
Heartburn
High Blood Pressure
Muscular skeletal problems (for example pubic symphasis pain)
Lower back pain/sciatica
Breech and posterior positioned babies
There are many other conditions we can address with acupuncture. However treatment can be received without any of the symptoms above, purely to support and strengthen during pregnancy.
Threatened Miscarriage
At Unity we have a 90% live birth rate on the pregnancies we have been involved with, we have a good understanding of miscarriage and how worked with many people with this has been a recurrent problem.
Birth Preparation
From 36/37 weeks treatments which are given on a weekly basis to prepare for labour. These treatments are individually tailored but include working on ripening the cervix, positioning of the baby for birth and stamina building.
Acupressure points can be taught to women and their birth partners for use during labour. These are points specifically used for in labour for pain relief and to aid the birthing process. This is a lovely tool which gives the partner a hands on helpful role during labour.
Inducing Labour
Acupuncture can be used to safely help induce a baby naturally. We work closely with each mother, and mostly give this treatment once the due date has past. Many women prefer this natural approach before going for any kind of chemical induction, especially if they have spent months planning for a natural birth. However we work with many complicated pregnancies which involve doing this procedure earlier. Even if a consultant plans to induce early for medical reasons, we recommend treatment prior to kick start the process and help to start the contractions.
Breech Presentation
One of the more remarkable treatments with acupuncture is the treatment used to help turn a breech positioned baby . Part of the treatment involves the use of moxibustion over a point on the little toe. Moxibustion is the name given to the process of burning a herb called moxa, in this treatment a cigar shaped stick, which is lit and held just above the point to warm and stimulate it. The process is completely safe, and the best results are obtained before 36 weeks, as post this there is little room for movement. The treatment may only need to be done once by the practitioner.
Morning Sickness
Morning sickness often starts early in pregnancy, and is a very common complaint. Chinese medicine often views morning sickness as an imbalance between the liver and the stomach/spleen/pancreas or an excess of heat in the stomach. In any case it is usually treated very effectively with acupuncture. One point that is often used for any kind of nausea can be found on the inside of the wrist. Travel sickness wristbands are designed to stimulate this acupuncture point, and can help to control your morning sickness in addition to treatments. Often though, the diagrams that come with the wrist bands are less than clear, so we would be happy to show you exactly where the correct point is.