Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can be extremely useful in all stages of gynecological and obstetric care. For thousands of years women have been using this medicine to enhance their fertility and to contribute to a more comfortable pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience. Chinese medicine views pregnancy as a window of opportunity to enhance the woman’s well being. Value is therefore placed on promoting preventative care to strengthen the mother and baby, as well as dealing with problems as they occur during pregnancy.

Preconception

Acupuncture has been shown to increase blood circulation to the ovaries and uterus and hence increase the capacity for conception.
Through the use of acupuncture, herbs, and lifestyle advice Chinese medicine aims to:

Regulate the woman’s hormonal cycle
Improve the quality of women’s fertile mucous
Regulate ovulation
Promote efficient menstrual cycles
Enhance egg development
Improve sperm quality
Enhance the environment of the fallopian tubes
Promote embryo implantation
Reduce stress
Promote a viable pregnancy
Chinese medicine can be used to increase the chances of conceiving naturally or alongside medical interventions.

Pregnancy

Acupuncture offers women the choice of drug-free care during pregnancy and successfully treats a wide range of conditions.
Common ailments that respond wonderfully to this medicine are:

Nausea(morning sickness)
Muscular-skeletal pain(sciatica, back pain, rib pain, etc.)
Breech or posterior babies
Threatened miscarriage
Hypertension
Acid reflux(heartburn)
Common cold
Constipation
Fatigue
Insomnia
Anxiety
Sinusitis

In addition to treating these symptoms associated with pregnancy, acupuncture also prepares women for labor. Pre-birth treatments are offered once a week, starting at week 36, to prepare the woman for the most comfortable and efficient labor possible. Women who receive these treatments are much more successful at having the type of labor and birth they desire. Acupuncture has also proven very effective for inducing labor.

Postpartum

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs have been used for centuries to help mothers recover from delivery. Childbirth is an experience that drains energy, and Chinese herbs can provide a much needed boost to help with the blood-loss and fatigue most women feel. Other benefits include aid with insufficient lactation, wound healing, depression, and urinary incontinence.

The Essential Guide to Acupuncture in Pregnancy & Childbirth, by Debra Betts , is a wonderful resource that’s informed much of the information presented here. Please contact me if you would like additional information or to see research on any of the information in this article.