Acupuncture and Balancing Exercises Can Help Women Have a Comfortable Pregnancy and Easier Labor Experience

Acupuncture is a safe, effective, and drug-free therapy for women in all stages of pregnancy. We use a combination of acupuncture, nutritional recommendations, gentle herbal teas, and balancing exercises to help women overcome pregnancy ailments and enjoy a more comfortable journey. The following is a list of pregnancy-related conditions commonly treated with acupuncture:

-Morning sickness (or as it may be...”All day and night sickness”)
-Mood swings: sadness, anxiety, fear, irritability, etc.
-Carpal tunnel syndrome
-Neck/shoulder pain, back pain, sciatica, and other musculoskeletal discomfort
-Constipation, heartburn, and other digestive complaints
-Edema/swollen ankles & feet
-Fatigue
-Headaches
-Sleeplessness
-Sinus & nasal congestion/pregnancy rhinitis
-Allergies
-Itching/hives/PUPPS
-Cholestasis
-Pregnancy gingivitis
-Preeclampsia
-Gestational Diabetes
-Breech presentation
-Delayed labor

Many women come to our clinic because they are past their due dates, which is a common occurrence. Often it means that the baby needs more time in the uterus before making his or her grand appearance! Frequently due dates are inaccurate and women shouldn’t worry if they’ve not entered labor by their due date. In fact, it’s normal for women to give birth 1-2 weeks before or after their due dates. An overdue pregnancy or post-term pregnancy is actually defined as a pregnancy which extends to or beyond 42 weeks. The Mayo Clinic spells it out on their website, “...your pregnancy must continue two weeks past your due date to earn the official label of overdue pregnancy, also known as postterm pregnancy.” According to ACOG (The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), “Babies born between 39 weeks 0 days and 40 weeks 6 days gestation have the best health outcomes, compared with babies born before or after this period. This distinct time period is now referred to as ’Full Term.’ “ If a woman is past her due date, some midwives and obstetricians will watch and wait, monitoring her until she goes into labor naturally. Other doctors will recommend labor induction. The decision to induce labor is not an exact science; doctors and midwives will have differing opinions about whether to intervene and when.

It’s important for expecting women to know that although medical induction is sometimes necessary, it can make labor difficult and/or prolonged for mom and baby, and can increase the risk of complications. Therefore it’s of great value to examine risks and benefits of interventions, go over possible alternatives, and be vocal about any questions and concerns. Since a woman is the primary decision maker in her pregnancy, she has the right to informed consent or informed refusal of interventions. Doulas, or birth assistants, can be very helpful during pregnancy by providing women with informational support that can help them make informed decisions. When women have access to evidence-based, mother-friendly resources, they are able to partner with their providers and work together to produce the most favorable birth outcomes. Doulas also assist women with comfort measures and important movements/positions during labor to make for an easier and shorter labor experience.

If your doctor is recommending induction, we suggest trying acupuncture, along with very specific body movements and positioning, on the days leading up to your induction date. Acupuncture can gently assist a woman’s body in initiating labor, sometimes making medical induction unnecessary. Even if induction is still required, acupuncture leading up to induction can make the process easier by preparing a woman’s body for labor and relaxing her prior to the procedure. Be sure to always communicate with your provider and let them know that you’d like to try acupuncture and gentle exercise to stimulate labor. In general, the earlier that acupuncture and balancing exercises are incorporated into prenatal care, the more favorable the response. When started earlier in pregnancy (for example in the second trimester), acupuncture and maternal movements/postures can help to condition and balance the body. Babies accommodate the space that we give them. Therefore if we can provide a balanced and relaxed uterus and pelvis, it may help baby to assume a position which is optimal for birth. Midwife Gail Tully discusses the importance of “optimal fetal positioning” on her website, Spinning Babies. Ms. Tully’s website is a wealth of information and an empowering way to participate in your own pregnancy care. Always remember to ask your obstetrician or midwife if there is any reason you shouldn’t be exercising or doing yoga. Some health conditions require restrictions on exercise or certain movements & postures.

Along with balancing exercises, acupuncture can assist with the proper descent of the baby into the pelvis, also called “dropping” or “lightening,” which typically occurs 2-4 weeks before delivery in first time pregnancies. Acupuncture also helps with cervical ripening & dilation and can stimulate contractions. We have very specific acupuncture points which heighten hormone response in the body, helping the mother and baby to initiate labor. Many mamas feel more relaxed during or after acupuncture, which helps to ease anxiety and let the body do its job.

Although the technological advances and medical interventions available to us during labor and birth can be lifesaving when there are complications, we often forget or ignore that a woman’s body is designed to work with her baby to allow for a safe, timely birth. Most pregnancies are healthy and able to proceed normally without medical interventions. More often than not, if we give the baby a chance, he or she will say “okay mama, I’m ready and in position!”

For more information on our prenatal services click HERE.

Nikoo Saleh Kasmai, MS, L.Ac. specializes in Pregnancy & Labor Support. She completed Birth Doula Training in 2013 and is trained in obstetric acupuncture. Her office accepts health insurance and bills them directly for many services provided during pregnancy.