Acupuncture for Each Trimester

Photo by SuhelSheikh.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a wonderful tool during pregnancy: drug-free and relaxing for baby and mother. I get this question a lot, acupuncture can be used safely and effectively throughout the entire pregnancy, even after delivery.

• During the first trimester a woman might feel fatigue and nausea or experience a lot of vomiting. There may be some herbal formulas to take but these are limited since many herbs shouldn’t be used during pregnancy, worse, the taste may be difficult for a pregnant woman with nausea to handle! Weekly acupuncture treatments are the best remedy during this time of the pregnancy to combat nausea and help gain some energy.

• During the second trimester, a woman often starts to feel slightly better (and look and feel more pregnant). She will start to feel the baby move, and changes in her body become more rapid. Due to these rapid changes, it’s possible that heartburn, constipation, varicose veins, and even hemorrhoids may occur. This is due to hormonal changes that affect the smooth muscle in the body, as well as the veins. Acupuncture points can be used now to provide relief for the mother. Weekly treatments are recommended if symptoms are severe.

• In the third trimester, acupuncture can help relieve edema (water retention) around the ankles and feet as well as back pain and insomnia. If the baby is in a breech position, moxibustion can be used to turn the baby around. It usually takes around ten days of using the moxibustion stick daily, but it can be very effective when used properly. Tuina or shiatsu massage are techniques I use to help the mother relax and to help with back pain.

Acupuncture can also be used closer to the delivery date to help with cervical effacement, and to shorten the labor time. There are also practitioners who will help induce labor in a baby that is past the due date, depending on the situation. Some hospitals and midwives allow acupuncturists to be present during a delivery if requested by the mother.

Every pregnancy is different, and it’s important to keep an open mind with your treatment options.  This site has some good suggestions about Western herbs to avoid during pregnancy, as well as some other helpful hints. What to Expect When You’re Expecting is a great pregnancy book, and Mother’s Special Blend is an oil that several women swear by to help with stretch marks (you can also find this at New Seasons in Portland). Pregnancy is a special time in a woman’s life, and acupuncture can effectively help her to have the best 40 weeks possible.

Amy Chitwood, L.Ac. is a graduate of the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. She is nationally board certified in Chinese herbal medicine and manages the Portland Acupuncture Blog.