Acupuncture Protocol During Pregnancy
PREGNANCY SUPPORT
You’ve received a positive pregnancy test! Congrats!
Whether it was easy to conceive or whether it was a very long road to get to this moment, I’m here to support you. What follows is a quick run-down of a typical acupuncture treatment protocol during a healthy pregnancy. Please note: in the event of any complications during pregnancy, the recommended protocol may look a bit different.
FIRST TRIMESTER
Weekly Visits
I recommend weekly acupuncture treatments through the first trimester, especially if you had difficulty conceiving or have a history of pregnancy loss. Acupuncture during this time is used to promote optimal uterine blood flow, support early embryological development, keep anxiety at bay, reduce stress, and soothe your nervous system as a whole.
SECOND TRIMESTER
1-2 Monthly Visits
Assuming that your pregnancy is going well and there are no specific health concerns to address, I recommend bimonthly or monthly treatments during the second trimester. This is often the time during pregnancy when women bounce back from first trimester fatigue and nausea and feel quite energetic. These regular maintenance visits help keep the nervous system “tuned up,” stress levels managed, and the mind calm.
However, if you are experiencing uncomfortable symptoms during this time or you receive a diagnosis such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), I recommend that you continue with weekly visits.
THIRD TRIMESTER
Weekly Visits
I recommend transitioning back to weekly visits starting around 32-34 weeks gestation. Treatments at this time are very useful to address any hip and low back pain, alleviate swelling in the feet, promote restful sleep, calm stress, and prepare the body for labor. I have heard OBGYNs and midwifes report that women who have had regular acupuncture during pregnancy tend to have labor for less time and have a smoother experience.
If you are past 30 weeks and you find out that your baby is breech, I recommend resuming care immediately, because there is a gentle and effective acupuncture technique that helps the baby orient to a head-down position. (This technique may be less effective the closer you get to your due date, because there is physically less room for the baby to shift positions.)
POSTPARTUM
Herbal Support
I primarily support women postpartum with herbal medicine. There are well-known “grandmother formulas” in China that are widely known and used to help women regain their strength and maintain emotional stability postpartum. I highly recommend herbal medicine for all women during the first few months postpartum, because it is a time when the body needs deep nourishment. Without this nourishment, sometimes fatigue and anxiety can develop and possibly linger long after delivery. I have worked with women three or more years postpartum who are still struggling with anxiety and fatigue. Fortunately, it’s never too late to address these issues, but I’m a proponent of preventing unnecessary suffering when possible. Keep in mind that herbal medicine and acupuncture can also be quite effective to promote lactation.
Unless there is very good reason to resume sooner, I usually recommend postponing acupuncture treatments until at least 6 weeks postpartum in the spirit of encouraging women to rest and engage in self-care at home as much as possible during those early weeks. If you need some tips and encouragement for how to structure your self-care postpartum, I recommend that you check out the book The First Forty Days by Heng Ou.
