Specialist treatment clinic: Pregnancy and childbirth

The aim of our specialist Pregnancy and childbirth clinic is to provide tailor-made acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to promote good health and vitality in pregnancy and post partum.

The aim of our approach is to provide flexible and tailored healthcare, which allows each woman to be in control of her own experience and follow her own body's needs. All these treatments can help to make pregnancy, childbirth, and post partum a much happier and more comfortable experience.


Specialist areas of expertise:

• Pregnancy and childbirth
  

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Pregnancy Acupuncture Programme

This programme of 10 acupuncture sessions has been designed to follow on from our IVF Acupuncture Programme and IUI Acupuncture Programme or for patients who have conceived naturally to support them from conception to their 12th week in pregnancy.

Chinese herbal medicine (optional extra) and weekly acupuncture sessions are typically used in the early stages of pregnancy where conditions such as morning sickness, anxiety, sciatica, and pelvic pain can occur, as well as problems with sleep and digestion.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine is also sometimes used in the early stages of pregnancy if there are any signs that the women's body is weakening and a miscarriage threatens, or where there has been a history of miscarriages.

At the later stages of pregnancy additional acupuncture sessions and Chinese herbal medicine can be used if the babies' growth is not optimal, and even later again acupuncture may be sought if the baby is long overdue.

Frequently asked questions:

• Can acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine be used at the same time during my pregnancy, and what happens during a treatment?
• What antenatal ailments can be treated with acupuncture and Chinese herbs?
• Is it true that acupuncture can induce labour?
• Are there any other labour-inducing therapies I can have that don't involve needles?
• Can acupuncture provide pain relief during labour?
• What therapies can I use after the birth to restore balance?

Can acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine be used at the same time during my pregnancy, and what happens during a treatment?

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are ideal drug-free treatments for pregnancy, childbirth, and post partum. Used by a skilled practitioner they are safe and have no harmful effects for mother or baby.

During pregnancy, some women will choose to live with the discomfort of minor complaints such as morning sickness or heartburn, rather than seek treatment because they are concerned about the possible side effects of orthodox medicines on their unborn child. Our therapeutic approaches can be used safely and effectively alongside orthodox care.

They are very effective used together, and alone which is why these are the core therapeutic approaches we offer to women during pregnancy and post partum. All our experts work safely alongside conventional medicine.

All our therapists will require a detailed consultation to understand your needs, and then a detailed programme of treatments will be made specifically to suit you. They will support you through your pregnancy and post partum.

What antenatal ailments can be treated with Acupuncture and Chinese herbs?

Acupuncture is extensively used in pregnancy management to treat back pain, nausea, vomiting, headaches, migraine, constipation and dental pain. Other antenatal ailments, which can be successfully treated with Acupuncture, include hyper emesis, sciatica, varicose veins, haemorrhoids, constipation, heartburn, carpal tunnel syndrome, oedema, abdominal pain, skin problems, anxiety and breech presentation. It is also highly effective in treating the side effects of becoming a non-smoker.

Acupuncture needles bear little resemblance to those used in blood tests. They are much finer and produce a very slight dull or tingling sensation. All needles are sterile and individually wrapped.

I’m afraid of needles. What are my alternatives?

You can use cranio-sacral therapy as an alternative to help you manage some of the uncomfortable symptoms of pregnancy. Both approaches are useful for women in their childbearing years as they are very gentle.

Is it true that Acupuncture can induce labour?

Women are often afraid of the threat of surgical induction and see it as the start of the 'slippery slope' to a caesarean section. At least 3 to 5 Acupuncture sessions of 1 - 1½ hours are necessary to obtain effective results, although sometimes, just one session can be enough. An Electro Acupuncture machine is attached to the Acupuncture needles via wires. This treatment maximises the stimulatory effects on the uterus.
Are there any other labour-inducing therapies I can have that don't involve needles?
For women who are afraid of needles, osteopathy and cranial osteopathy can be used. Also Shiatsu massage is useful as it can stimulate specific labour- inducing Acupuncture points using thumb pressure.

Can acupuncture provide pain relief during labour?

The ear auricle contains a complete set of Acupuncture points, which when stimulated can produce rapid relief from acute pain. Auricular Acupuncture is ideal for pain relief during labour as the woman can be as mobile as she likes. The needles are attached to an Electro Acupuncture machine, to provide extra stimulation. This machine is controlled by the patient, which empowers her to manage her own pain. Attending a birth can sometimes be impractical however, so only a few women can be supported at any one time. (You are welcome to speak to Jo regarding her schedule.)

For those who fear needles, ear seeds can be taped over the Acupressure ear points and stimulated by applying finger pressure. This treatment is ideal for those who wish to remain at home as long as possible during labour.

What therapies can I use after the birth to restore balance?

In traditional Chinese Medicine, childbirth is a very important stage in a woman's life, and it is thought that a woman's vital energy can be improved after having a baby. Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicines and nutritional support can be a great help in re-balancing your health after the birth.

Postnatal conditions successfully treated with Acupuncture include: lack of breast milk/problems with milk flow, haemorrhoids, perineal pain, stasis of urine/inability to micturate, backache, breast engorgement, mastitis, anaemia, post natal depression, back pain, shoulder pain, constipation, pain and flatulence following caesarean section, prolapse, insufficient lactation, tiredness.

Acupuncture is usually combined with Chinese herbal therapies, which are very effective at replenishing the bodies' energy after birth. Alternatively, homeopathy, cranial osteopathy, and Reflexology with and/or shiatsu massage may be used to help re-balance a woman's health after the birth.


The information in this section was sourced from:

The British Acupuncture Council.
The register of Chinese herbal medicine.