ACUPUNCTURE IS A SAFE DRUG-FREE TREATMENT IN PREGNANCY.

ACUPUNCTURE IS A SAFE DRUG-FREE TREATMENT IN PREGNANCY.


Are you pregnant and looking to maintain your health for the next 9 months ?

Are you looking for an alternative to help with whatever is bothering you during your pregnancy?

Treatment of women in pregnancy and labour has a long tradition in China with many pictures found on tortoise shells depicting some pregnancy and labour related problems. The first surviving text dedicated entirely to obstetrics in China is The Treasure of Obstetrics by Jing Xiao Chan Bao, written during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) ,followed by formal medical training hospitals including dedicated obstetric departments. Currently, Acupuncture and/ Chinese herbs are proving in many modern studies to be a worthy way of treating the issues that occur in pregnancy.  The thoughts in TCM is that during pregnancy, it is important to keep the qi (energy flow) and blood in harmony.In modern terms this means it helps  normalize the body’s internal biological balance which then helps to ensure a healthy problem free pregnancy.  So, in short the treatment plans are generally designed to restore the female’s balance which strengthens and helps her combat any negative effects they may be experiencing in  pregnancy including, but not limited to, depression,morning sickness, dizziness and headaches(See list below).

 

What are the benefits of having  Acupuncture or taking Chinese Herbs while you are pregnant ?

 

  • It is a  natural form of medicine that can be used for most reasons in pregnancy.
  •  It provides a safe and therapeutic health system to assist a mother and baby throughout the whole of her pregnancy.
  • It can help resolve lots of different health issues (see below for the list).
  • It  brings about a greater sense of wellbeing, comfort, better sleep and  a noticeable reduction of stress levels.
  • From a health maintenance point of view, acupuncture  can help  the fetus develop harmoniously by supporting the mother’s health and metabolism while helping to improve the woman’s immune functions.
  • For the woman who is entering pregnancy with health related issues whether it be a history of depression,recurrent miscarriage, auto immune issues or otherwise, Acupunctureand/herbs are a serious and often proven alternative and they can be integrated as part of their overall  medical care.
  • Most importantly it can  help to reduce the need for chemical intervention which is a serious factor for most women and their medical team  who always place safety at the heart every pregnancy care plan.
  • Acupuncture during pregnancy has been proven to help with major depressive disorder, http://med.stanford.edu/ism/2010/february/acupuncture.html
  •  Research has shown that for women with a history of recurrent miscarrige, regular monitering and stress reduction treatment in the first 12 weeks increased live birth rates. 86% of women in the treatment group, compared to 33% for women that did not receive treatment. (Aust NZ J Obstet Gynecol 1991:31:4:3210)

 

Here is a list of  what acupuncture/herbs can  help with when pregnant;

  • Reduces the chance of miscarriage,
  • Boosts immunity,
  • Drug free choice for problems such as sinusitis, coughs, colds etc…
  •  Proven alternative for depression in pregnancy,
  • Improves energy and quality of sleep,
  • Balances your emotions,
  • Eases if not stops morning sickness,
  • Can resolve constipation,
  • Eases water retention,
  • Helps with headaches,
  • UTI’s,
  • Small for dates babies,
  • Back and pelvic pain,
  • Breech presentation, and it helps to
  • Preparation of  the cervix and
  • Proven to shorten labour time in particular first time mothers,
  • Labour induction from 40 plus 1 day term.

 

Why choose my practice?

  • I have specialized training in obstetrical care. I have an advanced diploma in gynae,fertility and obstetrics. (see earlier blog about becoming an associate practitioner of the Women’s Natural Health Practice in the UK)
  • I am in practice for over 10 years with most of them specializing in fertility, women’s health issues and pregnancy
  • The Drogheda Mid Wifery Unit refer women to me.
  • I teach third year students in Lansdowne College of Acupuncture in Dublin on fertility and pregnancy.
  • I am registered with the only independent acupuncture organization the Acupuncture Council of Ireland  and the Irish Register of Chinese herbal Medicine.