Acupuncture and Prenatal Care
Pregnancy is an amazing and beautiful time in a woman's life and unfortunately it comes along with some intense changes that can be quite hard on the body. The majority of women just accept that they will have to suffer through these changes, unknowing that there is help and incredible relief to be had. Chinese medicine is a highly effective and safe way to deal with the negative apspects of pregnancy.
I have first hand seen it help breast pain, nausea and vomiting, hyperemesis, low back pain, heartburn, leg pain and cramps, high blood pressure, insomnia and so much more. I personally have had three children and used acupuncture and Chinese herbs through all three pregnancies. I believe strongly in the use acupuncture and herbs during pregnancy.
There are many other pregnancy symptoms that can be treated and one of the most noted is the turning of a breech baby. Around 34 weeks if your baby is still in a breech lay, then consider Chinese medicine to turn it before subjecting to external cephalic version and/or cesarean section.
During pregnancy we are severely limited as to what medications we can use and invariably during that 9 months you will come down with a cold or flu. Chinese herbal medicine can safely be prescribed during this time. **Please only use chinese herbs prescribed by a licensed practitioner**
What can be treated during pregnancy?
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anemia
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back pain
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breast pain
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breech presentation
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colds/flus
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edema
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emotional issues - stress, depression, anxiety, etc.
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fatigue
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hemorrhoids
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high blood pressure
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hyperemesis
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insomnia
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leg pain and cramps
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nausea and vomiting
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and many others
Prepare your body for birth!
At 36 weeks my prenatal patients start pre-birth acupuncture treatments. These weekly treatments ripen the body for labor and provide an ideal opportunity to promote a safe and effective birth. It helps to soften and dilate the cervic and also prepares the pelvis for labor. Pre-birth treatments have also been shown to reduce the time spent in active labor. Midwives have felt that pre-birth acupuncture has contributed to reduced intervention rates, including medical inductions and cesarean sections. Treatments can also affect conditions such as high blood pressure (PIH), heartburn, hemorrhoids, etc.
At or after 40 weeks labor induction becomes a possibility. Research shows that acupuncture takes from 3 to 60 hours to initiate contractions.(Zita West) I prefer that the pregnancy is a fairly healthy one before considering induction. Please contact me directly for more information on induction with acupuncture.
Acupuncture can also be used during labor to help with a long, painful, or stalled labor.
After the baby is born is one of the most important times to consider acupuncture and herbs. The body has been through tremendous stress, you may have suffered from a loss of too much blood (hemorrhage), injury to the pelvic area, c-section, or even have a low milk supply. This is a time to heal and rejuvenate, please take care of your body.
For more information and to make an appointment please call 530-217-9667
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