Acupuncture and Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time when many women are motivated to embrace a healthier lifestyle. These positive changes not only help protect and nurture the unborn baby, but also promote a smooth pregnancy, from the moment of conception right through to the recovery period.
Is acupuncture safe during pregnancy?
Many other women have wondered about this very question. The answer is yes! Acupuncture is safe during pregnancy.
Our registered acupuncturists are trained in proper treatment approaches for pregnancy. Acupuncture is safe—and effective—for pregnant women, and offers a drug-free and side-effect-free alternative to managing their health and wellbeing.
Here are a Few Acupuncture Benefits
Acupuncture reduces stress
During this important journey, it’s vital that you feel relaxed and supported—both for you and the life growing inside you. Stress during pregnancy has been linked to numerous health concerns, including pre-term labour and low birth weights.
By de-stressing with acupuncture, you’ll feel more relaxed and prepared for the journey, and you’ll be giving your little one the best start in life.
Acupuncture relieves pain
Women experience discomfort in all stages of their pregnancy, whether it’s pelvic pain, hip pain, lower back pain or ligament pain. Acupuncture is a safe, natural and effective way to improve circulation and quell these common ailments.
Acupuncture lessens pre- and post-partum depression
Acupuncture is an effective drug-free alternative to treating depression, both during and after pregnancy. It balances hormones, restores energy levels and helps new moms adjust physically and emotionally to life with a baby.
Acupuncture eases nausea
Pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting are common among women, particularly in the first and second trimesters. During this time, rising levels of hormones, fatigue and stress wreak havoc on the digestive system. Acupuncture restores balance to this sensitive area and offers relief for this debilitating issue.
Acupuncture promotes smooth labour
Many women, especially first-time mothers, are a little apprehensive about the birthing process. Acupuncture can help alleviate your anxieties and fears, and also prepare your body for a more efficient labour and delivery process.
Acupuncture reduces interventions
Research has shown that pre-labour acupuncture reduces induction rates, reduces epidural rates and also reduces the amount of emergency C-sections.
Acupuncture improves postpartum recovery
The weeks following childbirth are an exciting—and exhausting—time. Your body is going through even more physical, emotional and mental changes, and on top of it all you have to care for a newborn!
Acupuncture during the postpartum recovery period is a great way to restore your strength and energy, improve your quality of sleep, prevent the baby blues and just get some quality “me time.”
These are just a handful of the ways your acupuncturist can help you ease through the trimesters and have a healthy pregnancy, birth and recovery. If you’d like to know more, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us, book an appointment online, or drop by our acupuncture clinic in downtown Victoria BC.