Pregnancy is a special time but it can also be a shock to experience such big emotional and hormonal shifts so early on in the first few weeks.
Acupuncture can help right from the beginning and at key points throughout each trimester.
And it’s a wonderfully safe, gentle and supportive treatment throughout pregnancy.
It is used to relieve morning sickness, reduce anxiety, support relaxation and sleep, and help common pregnancy symptoms like heart burn, insomnia and pelvic pain that make life tricky.
At Hanna Evans Acupuncture at the Fulham Osteopaths www.fulhamosteopaths.co.uk www.fulhamosteopaths.co.ukI support women throughout pregnancy, from the first few weeks through to birth preparation and the postnatal period.
Treatment can also be tailored around:
- Morning sickness and nausea
- Fatigue and low energy
- Headaches and migraines
- Anxiety and emotional tension
- Pelvic Pain
- Sciatica
- Sleep difficulties
- Digestive discomfort
- Supporting general wellbeing
- Moxibustion for Breech Turning
- Birth Preparation
- Acupuncture Induction
The aim is to help your body cope with the rapid physical and hormonal changes taking place and to help you feel at home in your body again.
Acupuncture in the First Trimester
The first few weeks of pregnancy can be an emotional rollercoaster.
Most women feel excited and hopeful, but also anxious and worried. They are unable to share their good news, except with partners and key family members. And as fatigue and morning sickness kicks in eating, drinking and getting through the working day is an hour by hour challenge
Acupuncture is a safe and recommended treatment for reducing nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
In a study of 593 pregnant women in 2020 experiencing nausea or vomiting acupuncture was compared to sham acupuncture and no treatment and showed that in the acupuncture group nausea symptoms improved
And Whittington NHS hospital in North London provides in house acupuncture to help with hyperemesis gravida and morning sickness at this time.
In my clinic, I often use gentle acupuncture alongside nutritional advice to help women through this early stage.
Acupuncture During the Second Trimester
For most women, the second trimester brings a welcome improvement in nausea and energy.
But as your baby grows, your body continues to change. Your pelvis and spine adapt to accommodate your growing bump, and muscles and ligaments are placed under increasing strain.
This is when I often see women for:-
Back pain and sciatica
As the pelvis changes and your posture adapts, lower back pain and sciatica can become uncomfortable. Acupuncture together with the right balance of exercise and rest helps relieve muscular tension and pain.
Pelvic girdle pain
Pregnancy-related pelvic pain can make walking, turning over in bed and getting in and out of a car painful difficult. Acupuncture can reduce inflammation and pain and help get you mobile and more comfortable again.
Heartburn and digestive symptoms
Hormonal changes and the growing baby can contribute to digestive discomfort, constipation and heartburn. Acupuncture is traditionally used to support digestive function and helps relieve symptoms.
I will also help with supplement advice support and nutrition support to make sure you are eating a well rounded diet.
Headaches and tension
Hormonal changes, tiredness, stress and changes in posture can all contribute to headaches during pregnancy. Gentle acupuncture can be a very effective treatment option.
The British Acupuncture Council www.acupuncture.org.ukhighlights the clinical experience and training of registered acupuncture providers using acupuncture for conditions including nausea and vomiting, heartburn, anxiety, insomnia, sciatica, back pain and pelvic girdle pain.
Acupuncture for Relaxation, Stress and Sleep
Pregnancy can be an exciting time, but it doesn’t always feel relaxing.
There are multiple appointments, scans, work, family commitments, other children to care for and plenty of practical things to think about before your baby arrives.
And then there is sleep!
Acupuncture can have a deeply relaxing effect. Many women describe feeling calmer and more grounded after treatment, which can be particularly valuable when pregnancy feels physically or emotionally demanding.
At my clinic, I take time to listen to how you are actually feeling, rather than simply treating a particular symptom.
Sometimes a valuable part of a treatment is having an hour where you can stop, breathe and allow somebody else to take care of you.
Acupuncture in the Third Trimester
The final few months of pregnancy can be physically demanding.
Your baby is growing quickly and you may experience increasing pressure through your pelvis, hips and lower back. Sleep can become more difficult, swelling may increase and everyday movements can feel harder.
Acupuncture can be used to support women with:
- Back and hip pain
- Pelvic discomfort
- Sciatica
- Leg cramps
- Swelling and fluid retention
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Sleep difficulties
- Stress and anxiety
- Breech Turning
- Birth Preparation
- Acupuncture Induction
This can be a lovely time to have regular treatments, giving you a chance to slow down and prepare both physically and emotionally for birth.
Moxibustion for Breech Presentation
From 35 weeks when you have had the position of the baby confirmed by your midwife or obstetrician you may be told your baby is breech, or not head down.
A traditional Chinese treatment called ‘moxibustion’ can help turn the baby at this time. It is a herbal treatment which involves the stimulation of a point on the foot which can help the baby move into a better position.
Women with a breech presentation come for treatment with moxibustion from 34–38 weeks. And published evidence suggests that moxibustion is effective in reducing the need for an external cephalic version (ECV).
The British Journal of Midwifery suggests it should be offered at hospitals to improve maternal outcomes.
This technique involves holding moxa sticks a few centimetres above an acupuncture point known as BL67 on the ouside of both little toes. The heat felt feels warm but not uncomfortable. Once I’ve shown you how to do the treatment safely you can then repeat at home for 15–20 minutes daily for another 9 days. There have been no reported side-effects for mothers or babies.
Several UK hospitals, including locally at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital support its use.
https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/services/maternity/pregnancy-birth/your-pregnancy/a-breech-baby
For best results I recommend patients come as soon as they know the baby is ‘breech’, usually when their position is checked manually or with a scan around 34-35 weeks.
Preparing for Birth with Acupuncture
From around 36–37 weeks until 40 weeks women often choose to have acupuncture specifically to prepare for labour.
This is often called pre-birth acupuncture.
The idea is to support your mind and body as it gets ready for labour.
We use points which are known to help soften the cervix, prepare the hips and pelvis for giving birth and reducing any stress and anxiety which might be in the way of fully relaxing fully in the last few days and weeks before your due date.
Studies have found that acupuncture in the last few weeks of pregnancy reduces the rate of caesarean section and the use of syntocin for induction and reduced the need for other forms of pain relief.
And UK hospitals like the Whittington Hospital offer acupuncture as a birth preparation service and recommend it as a way to shorten labour.
Birth preparation is about supporting your body – physically, mentally and emotionally – giving your body the tools it needs to tip naturally into active labout and helping you feel calm and prepared, and giving you practical tools that you can take into labour.
Learning Acupressure for Labour
One of my favourite parts of birth preparation is teaching you — and your birth partner — simple acupressure techniques that can be used during labour.
Acupressure gives your partner something practical to do to help you through each contraction.
This helps your partner feel involved and more importantly can help you focus, relax, breath and increase oxytocin and endorphin release to reduce pain during each wave of contractions.
What About Acupuncture to Induce Labour?
When you are at or have passed your due date acupuncture is sometimes used to help you to tip over into natural labour.
We use a set of traditional acupuncture points to help soften the cervix, support uterine contractions and calm the mind so the body can focus on making more endorphins and oxytocin to help your labour begin and to reduce pain during each contraction.
Is Acupuncture Safe During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy acupuncture is always be carried out by a qualified practitioner with a British Acupuncture Council www.acupuncture.org.uk registered acupuncturist with specific training and experience in treating pregnant women.
Treatment is adapted according to your stage of pregnancy, symptoms and medical history.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4112450
Pregnancy Acupuncture at Hanna Evans Acupuncture
I have been supporting women through fertility, pregnancy and birth for many years, combining acupuncture with nutritional and lifestyle advice where appropriate.
During each appointment, and if its your first appointment take a full health history, we talk about how you are feeling, what’s happening physically and what support you may need at that particular stage of pregnancy.
Sometimes you may come because you are struggling with morning sickness.
Sometimes it is your back that is keeping you awake.
Sometimes you may feel anxious and overwhelmed and need to feel less stressed, to slow down, breathe and feel cared for.
And as you approach birth, acupuncture can become part of your preparation for the physical and emotional experience ahead.
My aim is always to give you a calm, supportive space where you can feel listened to and cared for and get some holistic help for the conditions which are bothering you.
Hanna Evans Acupuncture at the Fulham Osteopaths
For more information about pregnancy, fertility and women’s health acupuncture, visit www.hannaevans.co.uk or call the Fulham Osteopaths on 0207 384 1851 or contact via [email protected]
Suggested FAQs
Can you have acupuncture while pregnant?
Yes. Pregnancy acupuncture can be provided by a suitably qualified practitioner with appropriate training and experience. Treatment is adapted according to the stage of pregnancy and your individual circumstances.
Is acupuncture safe in pregnancy
Acupuncture is generally considered safe in pregnancy. Hospitals like the Whittington Hospital in North London and other NHS hospitals like Chelsea & Westminster recommend it for support with nausea, hyperemesis and for breech and birth preparation. A fully qualified and practising acupuncturist will be trained in how to best practice during pregnancy
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31483927
What can acupuncture help with during pregnancy?
Acupuncture is commonly used to support symptoms including nausea and vomiting, back pain, pelvic discomfort, headaches, heartburn, stress and sleep difficulties. The British Acupuncture Council’s evidence and clinical resources cover a number of these areas.
When should I start pregnancy acupuncture?
There is no single time that is right for everyone. Some women seek support in the first trimester for nausea or fatigue, while others begin later for musculoskeletal symptoms or birth preparation.
Can acupuncture help prepare me for labour?
Pre-birth acupuncture is commonly offered during the final weeks of pregnancy. Research shows it can shorten labour and reduce the need for medical intervention like syntocin and extra pain relief. Several UK hospitals recommend it.
Can my partner learn acupressure for labour?
Yes. Birth-preparation appointments can include teaching simple acupressure techniques that your birth partner can use during labour.
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