Pregnancy is a wonderful journey but it is not without challenges. Having a baby presents numerous needs for decision-making along the way. Sometimes the process begins before pregnancy with infertility and trying to get pregnant. It can finish with many new mothers experiencing various symptoms and ailments postpartum.
Getting Pregnant
Many couples struggle to get pregnant. This challenge can wear on couples and be a major source of frustration. Some couples will try nearly anything to get pregnant and perhaps decide to visit a fertility doctor.
If you and your partner are considering getting pregnant make sure to read this article from the Mayo Clinic as it offers good, basic advice to get started.
During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a rollercoaster. Some days feel better than others. A pregnant woman can feel everything from heart burn to experiencing frequent vomiting. According to the Center for Disease Control, here are some of the complications that can occur:
- Anemia
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Mental Health Conditions
- A low or sad mood
- Loss of interest in fun activities
- Changes in appetite, sleep, and energy
- Problems thinking, concentrating, and making decisions
- Feelings of worthlessness, shame, or guilt
- Thoughts that life is not worth living
- Hypertension
- Diabetes During Pregnancy
- Obesity or Weight Gain
- Infections
- Hyperemesis Gravidarum (Morning Sickness)
Postpartum
When people think of pregnancy there is always a lot of attention paid to the first two parts- getting pregnant and pregnancy. This Vox article points out that too often, post birth health of the mother is an afterthought. New mothers can experience a lot of different things in what is called the 4th Trimester. The obvious issue revolves around lack of sleep, but there are mental health issues, body issues, and more.
Where Does Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Fit in the Pregnancy Journey?
The wonderful thing about acupuncture and herbal medicine is that it has a place in all three aspects of pregnancy and offers solutions to many of the issues that arise.
Is Acupuncture Safe During Pregnancy?
Yes, it is very safe. However, treatment that requires antibiotics such as inflammation should be avoided. And any treatment that always pulls the Qi (What is Qi?) down is never used.
Before
There are myriad ways that acupuncture assists in the process of getting pregnant. Herbal medicines and acupuncture can help with your general wellness. A healthy body aids in fertility. Some other ways it can help:
- Get pregnant again after experiencing a miscarriage
- Help sperm reach the egg and implant well in the uterus
- Infertility
During
Herbal medicine can be taken during the entire process to strengthen the fetal musculoskeletal structure among other things. Closer to birth, acupuncture is utilized to:
- Move the baby to the right position before birth
- Induce labor
Positioning baby and induction are popular and have shown to be very successful practices.
After
A regiment of herbal teas can aid in the healing of the mom’s body and speed up recovery through body restoration and tonifying. Herbal medicine and acupuncture can also help with other ailments such as a lack of energy throughout the day, stress, aches and pains, and more.
Getting started with acupuncture
If you are ready to explore acupuncture, oriental medicine, and herbal remedies as a treatment before getting pregnant, during pregnancy, or post-birth book your initial consultation with 120 Acupuncture today. In your initial visit, Dr. Ko will work with you to create a custom plan that will support your path to wellness and guide you toward your pregnancy goals.
