PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM SUPPORT

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Acupuncture during pregnancy can help you to thrive throughout all trimesters and into the postpartum period. It supports and nourishes the carrying parent and baby and can be used to address:

  • Morning sickness

  • Fatigue

  • Threatened miscarriage

  • Back and Pelvic Pain

  • Headaches

  • Swelling

  • Breech Baby

  • Hemorrhoids

  • Cervical Ripening/Prebirth

  • Delayed Labor

  • Postpartum Depression

  • Postpartum Recovery

  • Lactation Support

Postpartum support can be helpful in addressing hormone imbalances, depression, anxiety, pelvic pain, fatigue, insufficient lactation, mastitis, hair loss, and can help to improve sleep quality.

IS ACUPUNCTURE SAFE DURING PREGNANCY?

Absolutely! Acupuncture in pregnancy is safe for pregnant people when performed by a qualified practitioner, and indeed, can provide many benefits for your health and the health of your baby. At Six Branches Family Acupuncture, we’ve treated many throughout their pregnancy with great results. Our whole team has undergone post-graduate training in obstetric acupuncture and Naomi Skoglund is one of 15 senior members of the Obstetrical Acupuncture Association in the United States. When you work with us during your pregnancy, we become a part of your team and are able to help you through your postpartum period as well.

When Can I Get acupuncture in pregnancy?

Anytime! We often see patients regularly throughout the first trimester for relief from nausea and anxiety. Then we also recommend coming in regularly in the 4 weeks leading up to your estimated due date. in between, you can come in as often as you like, and especially if you develop pain, gestational diabetes, or any other condition where we may be helpful in relieving symptoms.

ACUPUNCTURE FOR NAUSEA

Acupuncture in pregnancy can be very helpful for relieving nausea symptoms in the first trimester and beyond.  Treatment usually includes acupuncture, a type of massage called “gua sha”, and dietary and lifestyle advice.  In severe cases, herbal medicine may be useful but usually is not necessary.

ACUPUNCTURE FOR BREECH PRESENTATION

Acupuncture and moxibustion are very helpful for resolving a breech presentation between 32-36 weeks gestation.  A Cochrane Systemic Review of moxibustion for breech presentation found that “When combined with acupuncture, moxibustion may result in fewer births by caesarean section; and when combined with postural management techniques may reduce the number of non-cephalic presentations at birth”

ACUPUNCTURE TO ‘INDUCE’ LABOR

While “induction” is a western medical term that doesn’t really describe what we do, a lot of pregnant people come to acupuncture at the end of their pregnancies to help their bodies move smoothly into labor.  Acupuncture can help your body prepare for labor, encourage cervical ripening and remove any imbalances that may be stalling the labor process.  Plus, we help you RELAX.   For those interested in late-term acupuncture in pregnancy, it is ideal to begin treatment around the 37th week, especially if this will be your first time receiving acupuncture.