Pregnancy Support

Acupuncture during pregnancy offers women the choice of drug-free treatment and can be successfully used to treat a wide range of conditions. These include:

• Nausea & Vomiting
• Miscarriage
• Heartburn/Reflux
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Anxiety & Stress
• Varicose Veins
• Urinary Tract Infections
• Itching & Rashes in Pregnancy
• Pregnancy-induced Hypertension
• Swelling & Fluid Retention
• Musculoskeletal Conditions & Pain
• Breech & Posterior Positioned Babies
• Pre-Birth Treatment to Prepare the Body for Efficient Labour
• Induction of Labour
• Pain Relief During Labour
• Post-Birth Recovery
• Breast Milk Problems, such as Mastitis, insufficient supply

Nausea & Vomiting

Acupuncture is often very effective in reducing the severity and frequency of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Research in Australia has concluded that "Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for women who experience nausea and dry-retching in early pregnancy"

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Pre-Birth Treatment

Pre-Birth Treatment involves a series of 4 acupuncture treatments done weekly, from 36 or 37 weeks pregnancy to prepare the body for an efficient labour.

The aim of the treatments is to:

• Ripen and soften the cervix
• Help position the baby in the best possible presentation for birth
• Promote optimal energy and stamina for women to enter into labour

Acupuncture points are used according to the woman’s constitution and pregnancy history.

Research in a major midwifery practice in New Zealand has demonstrated that Pre-Birth Acupuncture is able to:

• Reduce the number of inductions required (35%)
• Reduce the need for epidurals (31%)
• Increase the efficiency of the active stage of labour
• Reduce the need for emergency caesarean delivery (32%)

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Breech & Posterior Babies

Moxibustion treatment is offered to women from 33 weeks gestation. Moxa is a plant (Artemisia Argyi Folium) that is used as a heat source to stimulate acupuncture points. By treating an acu-point on the toe with moxa, the baby can gradually turn to the correct 'head down' position, ready for birth.

Breech babies are ideally treated between 34-36 weeks gestation, and usually involves 1-2 sessions.

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Induction

Acupuncture can provide a gentle inducement of labour if the baby is overdue and it is an effective alternative to those wanting to avoid a medical induction

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Pain Relief During Labour

Acupressure offers drug-free alternatives for pain relief during labour.

Sessions are available to teach partners/support people these useful acupressure techniques so that they can provide assistance during labour.

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