As a Registered Acupuncturist with years of experience treating prenatal health, I’m happy to share that acupuncture can be a safe and remarkably powerful natural therapy for pregnant women.
But if you’re an expecting mother, you might have some concerns about the safety of acupuncture during pregnancy. I’ll answer some of the most common questions I get regarding acupuncture as an option for common issues that may come up during pregnancy.
Is acupuncture safe while pregnant?
Yes! Acupuncture is a gentle, effective option for many issues that may arise during all stages of pregnancy. Most Registered Acupuncturists have extra training to work with pregnancy, but be sure to inquire about their experience and how often they treat pregnant patients.
Here in Ontario, other types of acupuncture providers such as chiropractors or physiotherapists cannot offer acupuncture during pregnancy, as it is not within their scope of practice.
Rest assured that qualified acupuncturists know proper positioning techniques so that pregnant women can sit or lie comfortably and safely during treatment. There are always choices for acupuncture point locations used in a treatment, for both safety and comfort. Treatment time may also be slightly shorter to maintain comfort level.
Can I get acupuncture at all stages of pregnancy?
Acupuncture can help at each stage of pregnancy, and is often one of the few natural, medication-free remedies available.
Acupuncture in the first trimester of pregnancy
During the first trimester, it can help support the body to maintain a healthy pregnancy, as well as alleviate issues such as fatigue, nausea (morning sickness) or stress.
Acupuncture in the second trimester of pregnancy
During the second trimester, it can help with any issues that may come up as a woman’s body continues to change. This may mean help with body discomfort, headaches, back pain as well as constipation or trouble sleeping.
Acupuncture in the third trimester of pregnancy
During the third trimester, acupuncture can help with many of these same issues, while also starting to help prepare a woman’s body and mind for a healthy delivery and post partum. At this time, there may be increased stress for some women, especially first-time moms who may have some uncertainty about child birth and what to expect.
Where do the needles go for prenatal acupuncture?
Needles may be placed at acupuncture points all over the body: hands, arms, feet and legs. Depending on the issue being treated, point locations may also include back, torso, ears and scalp.
They may be “local points” at the location of pain, or they may be “distal points” far from the area. In my own practice, I tend to use fewer needles with pregnant women than I do in other cases.
After a certain time, we will no longer use acupuncture points located on the low back, sacrum and on the belly. There are also a small number of points that are called the “forbidden points”. These not used during pregnancy for safety reasons (although they may be used at the very end of term to support the start of labour – see below).
Can acupuncture help turn a breech baby?
Both acupuncture and moxibustion can indeed be useful to help turn a baby presenting in breech position. Moxibustion, or “moxa” is using a type of cigar-shaped herbal stick made of mugwort. For this treatment we use the burning moxa stick near the UB67 point at lower edge of each baby toenail.
Each woman’s situation is unique, but ideally the best results can be expected at around weeks 33-35. I usually suggest a combination of acupuncture visits in the office plus daily “moxa” treatments as homework for 7-10 days in a row.
Can acupuncture help induce labour?
Technically, only a medical doctor can offer labour induction – as it is a medical procedure. However, acupuncture has been successfully used to prepare the body for an easier labour and delivery. If a woman is having a healthy pregnancy but is past her due date, it can be used to encourage natural labour to start.
In fact, many women who are scheduled for an induction will opt to come in for acupuncture to try and get started naturally.
When to start acupuncture to encourage labour to start?
Ideally, acupuncture treatments will have started at least 3 weeks prior to the due date. Some women may be physically uncomfortable at this stage, either with body aches or being unable to sleep due to the size of their belly.
Some moms-to-be may be anxious about labour or life with a newborn. Others may worry that their due date has come and gone and their doctor is suggesting a medical induction.
The idea at this time is to calm the mind, as well as help relax the muscles and tendons and prepare the body for labour. During this time we may begin to use some of the points that could not be used earlier in the pregnancy. These particular points are used to prepare for and encourage labour, and are thought to gently stimulate the uterus.
Acupressure points to use during labour
During these last appointments I will go over simple acupressure protocols that can be used during labour. These are easy to find acupressure points on lower limbs, hands and shoulders that may help alleviate pain and relieve stress during labour (and helpful for mom to share with her birthing partner in advance).
Studies
Research summaries Debra Betts: Acupuncture and Acupressure for Pregnancy and Childbirth https://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/acupuncture/pregnancy-childbirth/research/
International Journal of Obstetrics:Safety of Acupuncture in Pregnancy – a retrospective cohort study from Korea https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1471-0528.15925
