Pregnancy Acupuncture | The Trimesters
Pregnancy Acupuncture Treatment involves minimal intervention,
is drug-free and supports you & your baby's natural physiology
We have years of experience helping mothers-to-be to get the most out of their pregnancy. Below is a summary of how it can be used throughout the different stages.
1st trimester (Up to 12 week scan)
Once you have a positive pregnancy test, acupuncture is recommended every week to two weeks, up to 12 weeks, to reduce the chances of miscarriage and to ensure good blood quality and circulation for you and your baby. It is also useful to counteract the effects of stress and worry, and is commonly used to help alleviate common conditions of early pregnancy such as morning sickness and fatigue.
Second and third trimesters
Between 12 and 36 weeks acupuncture is recommended about every four weeks. Treatment helps to maintain good circulation and to keep your system balanced. If during this period any other pregnancy related conditions develop then the frequency of treatment is altered according to their nature.
If your baby adopts a breech position we recommend treatment from 32 - 35 weeks to help turn it.
From 36 weeks
For the last few weeks, pregnancy acupuncture is advised once a week. The baby is ready and your body is preparing for childbirth. These pre-birth treatments help prepare you and your baby for labour and beyond.
Specific points are chosen depending on your constitution and pregnancy history. These include points to ripen the cervix, to soften the tendons and ligaments, to help optimize the baby's position and to build your stamina.
At this stage you may wish to bring your birthing partner with you for one session and I will demonstrate on you a collection of acupressure points that they can use on you before and during labour.
40 weeks +
As well as continuing to prepare you and your baby for labour and beyond, treatment is designed to induce labour. Points are used that directly stimulate the sacral plexus a collection of nerves directly involved with labour.
Where do the needles go?
During pregnancy we avoid lower abdominal points and use mostly ‘distal’ points. These are on your arms and legs, below your elbow and knees.
If we do need to use points on or around your abdomen it is done with with extreme care and knowledge of your anatomy and physiology, and with utmost care of your womb and amniotic sac.
I will always discuss what points I am going to use first and make sure that you feel comfortable.
How much treatment do I need?
At the initial consultation we go through your medical history and any notes or test results that you have, and combine these with a Chinese medical diagnosis to develop an individual treatment plan to suit you. This plan will depend on the nature of your issue and stage of pregnancy.
About Rick Mudie BSc (Hons), BSc (Oriental Med), MBAcC
Rick is a traditional Chinese acupuncturist with over 20 years clinical experience & is a member of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC).
He is a Course Leader, Clinical Supervisor and Lecturer at The International College of Oriental Medicine (ICOM), the UK's oldest acupuncture college. He lectures and teaches Gynaecology and Obstetrics at ICOM.
Rick has been using acupuncture for fertility, miscarriage prevention and during pregnancy since 2004 and has worked within and alongside The Agora Gynaecology and Fertility Clinic, in Hove, since 2010.
Read more about Rick.
Booking appointments
Read our pregnancy related blog articles below
- All
- Pregnancy
Acupuncture for Aches, Pains & Injuries
Acupuncture for Sciatica
Acupuncture for Back Pain
Jing 精
Acupuncture to turn Breech Babies
Acupuncture during Pregnancy | Research
Acupuncture during pregnancy | treatment
