How can acupuncture help me to prepare for labour?
For most people, the prospect of bringing a new life into the world is one of the most joyful yet terrifying experiences imaginable – all of that excitement at having a child to love and nurture is also wrapped up in the natural fears we have about birthing and parenting.
My last article dealt with morning sickness and the more serious hyperemesis gravidarum and how acupuncture can help to alleviate the symptoms – but how can acupuncture help you to prepare for labour and the arrival of your baby?
Women in pregnancy have benefited from acupuncture for around two thousand years. As an ancient form of Chinese medicine, it has survived the introduction of modern Western medicine and is today valued by many GPs and obstetricians as a complementary therapy that can greatly enhance clinical care.
For many women, and especially those expecting a first child, pregnancy and birth represents a time of great uncertainty and it is often the time at which they find themselves exploring different ways to support their emotional and physical wellbeing.
Acupuncture is a popular option for women in pregnancy because it is both safe and holistic, meaning it can help to support the management of many of the emotional and physical challenges they face.
These may include stress and anxiety, morning sickness, insomnia and pregnancy-related musculoskeletal problems.
What is acupuncture?
It’s important to understand what acupuncture is and how it works in order to be able to see the true value it has in supporting you through your pregnancy and into the run up to labour.
Acupuncture involves superfine needles being painlessly inserted under the skin at strategic points. These needles stimulate the natural energy – known as qi and pronounced chee – that flows through your body along pathways that we call medians.
Acupuncture is based on the principle that wellness is linked to how that natural energy interacts with your heart, lung, spleen, kidney and liver (the zang organs) as well as the six fu organs – gallbladder, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, urinary bladder and sanjiao (the last of these is less an organ and relates more to a collection of functions).
If an organ is deprived of qi through median blockages, then you will experience a reduction in wellness. And similarly, by removing that blockage we increase the flow of energy to these critical organs which reduces or eliminates your symptoms.
How can acupuncture help in pregnancy
Because acupuncture is concerned with emotional health as well as physical health, it is able to reduce stress and anxiety, which are common issues understandably linked to carrying a child.
Reducing or removing stress and anxiety has a relaxing and calming effect on both mum and baby, improving the quality of rest and sleep you’re both able to enjoy and giving both of you a better pregnancy and birthing experience.
Acupuncture is also shown to be very effective in dealing with physical complaints related to pregnancy such as aches and pains and morning sickness.
How can acupuncture help me to prepare for labour?
I just mentioned the calming effect acupuncture can have and this is especially important in the days and weeks leading up to labour.
The stimulation of qi through acupuncture encourages the natural release of prostaglandins, the hormone that softens the cervix to allow a more comfortable birth, and oxytocin, which is the hormone that triggers contractions.
A combination of the calming effect of acupuncture and the natural production of important hormones also helps to bring your baby into the ideal position for birth, relieves tension in muscles and tendons and optimises your energy levels to give you the stamina to manage your labour.
Can I have acupuncture if I’m in labour?
There’s no reason why you shouldn’t have acupuncture in early labour. It can help to relieve the pain of contractions and is emotionally soothing.
Some maternity units provide acupuncture therapy, although it’s not widely available. You should discuss your preferences with your obstetrician and explore whether it is possible for you to receive therapy if you are giving birth in hospital.
And even if you don’t have acupuncture therapy during labour, your acupuncturist will be able to show you how you can stimulate you’re your energy points with your thumbs. This is known as acupressure.
At The Acupuncturists we believe that pregnancy and birth is something that should be an enjoyable experience for everyone involved and we know that acupuncture is a brilliant way to help women to manage the challenges that can get in the way of that.
If you’d like to find out more about acupuncture in pregnancy and how acupuncture can help to prepare you and your baby for labour, please do get in touch for an informal and confidential chat.