Pregnancy affects each person differently, and subsequent pregnancies often affect the same body in different ways.

Fluctuations in hormones can cause disruption physically and emotionally throughout pregnancy, causing symptoms such as nausea, depression, and gastrointestinal issues, and a growing baby often causes discomfort in the low back and pelvis especially during the third trimester.

Relief from pregnancy-related conditions can be difficult to achieve as providers are often wary of conventional medications or therapies for fear of adverse effects. Acupuncture, on the other hand, offers a safe and effective treatment alternative for many of the most common issues experienced throughout the course of pregnancy.

The benefits of receiving acupuncture during pregnancy

Studies have shown favorable outcomes when receiving acupuncture for common pregnancy-related issues such as back pain, depression and nausea. From a Chinese medicine perspective, acupuncture helps to alleviate these types of conditions by moving stagnant energy in the body and allowing for the free-flow of Qi.

Conditions acupuncture can help treat during pregnancy include:

nausea and vomiting (including hyperemesis gravidarum — severe nausea and vomiting)
stress, anxiety and depression
gastrointestinal issues such as indigestion, heartburn, and constipation
varicose veins presenting in the legs and pelvic region including hemorrhoids
musculoskeletal pain related to pregnancy such as pelvic, hip, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and sciatica
birth preparation & labor induction
breech presentation of the fetus

Acupuncture & safety during pregnancy

When working with a licensed practitioner, preferably one with specialized training in obstetrics, acupuncture has been shown to be safe to receive during pregnancy. Recent studies published by researchers in Korea and the UK show a low incidence of minor adverse events (such as tenderness or bruising at the needle insertion site) and concluded that serious adverse events were both extremely rare and highly unlikely to have been caused by acupuncture.

Licensed acupuncturists receive extensive training in cautions and contraindications when working with pregnant patients. I experienced this personally when I became pregnant with our first child midway through my acupuncture program and received treatments from my peers through all three trimesters. Safety considerations were discussed during every treatment along with a “less-is-more” approach, out of an abundance of caution. The experience left me feeling even more confident in our training and in my ability to deliver a safe and effective treatment for pregnant clients.

How do acupuncture treatments differ for a pregnant person versus a non-pregnant person?

Comfort and safety are my priority when treating all clients, but especially so during pregnancy. When on the table, I use a combination of wedges, bolsters, and pillows to allow for optimal positioning and support for both mom and baby. Clients are treated in the side-lying position starting around 24 weeks. Acupuncture points or techniques that promote a strong movement of energy are avoided before the pregnancy has reached full term.

As with all treatments, after needles are placed the client is left to rest for 20-30 minutes. I always leave a call-button with the resting person so they can alert me if changes need to be made to needles, temperature, positioning, etc.

If you have any questions regarding acupuncture treatment during pregnancy please contact me or schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

Moon, H. Y., Kim, M. R., Hwang, D. S., Jang, J. B., Lee, J., Shin, J. S., Ha, I., & Lee, Y. J. (2020). Safety of acupuncture during pregnancy: a retrospective cohort study in Korea. BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, 127(1), 79–86. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.15925

Park, J., Sohn, Y., White, A. R., & Lee, H. (2014). The safety of acupuncture during pregnancy: a systematic review. Acupuncture in medicine : journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society, 32(3), 257–266. https://doi.org/10.1136/acupmed-2013-010480

Kvorning, N., Holmberg, C., Grennert, L., Åberg, A. and Åkeson, J. (2004), Acupuncture relieves pelvic and low-back pain in late pregnancy. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 83: 246-250. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0001-6349.2004.0215.x

Smith, C., Crowther, C. and Beilby, J. (2002), Acupuncture To Treat Nausea and Vomiting in Early Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Birth, 29: 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-536X.2002.00149.x

Manber, R., Schnyer, R. N., Allen, J. J. B., Rush, J., Blasey, C. M. (2004) Acupuncture: a promising treatment for depression during pregnancy. Journal of Affective Disorders, 83: 89-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2004.05.009

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Elizabeth Fuqua, L.Ac.

Elizabeth Fuqua is a licensed acupuncturist in Richmond, Virginia. Her scope of expertise includes chronic and acute pain management, digestive disorders, fertility support including pregnancy and infertility, stress management, and support with sleep issues.