Has anyone tried accupuncture/any other alternative therapies during pregnancy and did they work?

[angels1]

For anything and did it help at all?

I;m feeling generally down/rubbish at the minute. I'm 15 weeks and haven't felt good/normal once since even before my bfp. Have been on holiday from work but need to return next week and not sure how I'll cope (nausea, tiredness, lethargy, headaches, dizziness, blood sugar craziness, emotional extremes with lots of anxiety etc etc), especially as I've spent the past 3 months doing almost nothing but rest - which my body needed but now it has lost its nac at doing anything.

Just at the end of my tether and wondering if accupuncture/anything might help. I've had accupuncture in the past and it didn't seem to do much/any good, so I don't know if it's worth the bother. Any other treatments that anyone thinks it's worth me trying??

[narmada]

Hmm, I am not sure, I have had it recently for sciatica and the first time I thought it had made a difference. The second time, though, it hasn't done anything at all...

If you are feeling really down, then maybe the GP might be a better bet? He or she could perhaps offer something to help with the nausea, etc, and the anxiety. Have you been tested for medical causes - e.g., anaemia?

[greenbeanie]

I have had a lot of acupuncture treatment. I found it reasonably helpful for nausea (lasted a couple of days after treatment), very good for inducing labour. The best results I got were using acupuncture for postnatal depression so it might be worth a go.

In fact I was so impressed that I am now part way through training as an acupuncturist!

But as Narmada said, given that you have been feeling so low for so long I would perhaps speak to your midwife to see if there is anything that they can suggest. Antenatal depression is more common than postnatal depression for a start.

Also there is nothing worse than feeling constantly sick for making you feel low in mood and run down. Take care.

[japhrimel]

I've had physio and specialist massage, but that was for pain and muscle weakness linked to existing issues and SPD.

If the acupuncture didn't do a lot for you before, I wouldn't waste your money now TBH.

Have you been checked for anaemia? Get your doc to check your other vitamin/mineral levels too - low vitamin D for example can cause extra fatigue.

[angels1]

yes narmada, my iron levels are apparently fine and I've been on anti-sickness pills since I was 5 weeks! Spoke to my mw this week about it and she just says it'll take a bit longer to get better and I may need more time off work, but I really want to feel able/up to going back next week. I think I'm getting all anxious about it which is making it worse but I really can't help it.

I had reflexology in the past which was great, but my fabulous lady who did it has moved and I've tried other people but they just don't compare to her and the effects are never as good :(

[angels1]

sorry japhrimel - did write a little post at you comments but then mn went all on me.

I've been referred to physio too for a back problem that was pre-preg but has started a bit again (another joy!).

Tbh I'm not sure if the accupuncture did help or not. My complaint did get a bit better, but I don't know if that was from the time lapose or the accupuncture.

I think my extra fatigue might just be as I've barely done anything for so long my body isn't used to it anything...and mixed with general pg tiredness and my rubishness at pregnancy in general..

[worrywarts]

Hi Angels

Sorry you have been so poorly. I know the feeling, I had bad morning sickness this time round and was terrible to be around for about 14 weeks.

That has been replaced by low blood pressure and bad headaches and feeling rubbish....so in answer to your question, yes I have tried alternative remedies and I think they are helpful.

When I was feeling very sick I went to see a homeopath who gave me a remedy, which seemed to help. I also take flower remedies which have helped immensely with my anxiety (although it has not gone completely).

I found that when my sickness was very bad, and I was stuck indoors with a small child, I was very low and weepy. That's when I went to see the homeopath.

I had been on anti-d's prior to discovering I was pregnant and was considering going back on them because I was feeling so low. I am trying this first though, and cutting down on caffeine, sugar, processed foods etc (normally, I'm very healthy, but in the first trimester, because I was so sick, I just ate whatever I could stomach, which was things like crisps, fizzy drinks etc etc)

I have had shiatsu, too, which works on the acupuncture points, and found that to be very relaxing. (whether it helped who knows but it was good to have that time to myself!!!)

I would recommend though that you have a chat to your doctor as well if you are feeling low.

Hope this helps.

[alleykitten]

I had acupuncture for low mood, bad skin and sciatica with ds1 and it definitely worked. I'm a pretty narrow-minded mediacal geek and had never seen an acupuncturist or any "alternative" healthcare practitioner before, but the guy I saw was great and works as a consultant to various NHS trusts which seemed to recommend him. The improvements were noticeable within days and my quality of life and energy levels changed dramatically.

Don't go back to the person you saw before if they weren't any good. Just as there are competent GPs and rubbish ones, there are some excellent acupuncturists who really know their stuff alongside some dimwitted hippies who just don't. Go on a recommendation - or IM me if you're in London and I'll give you the details of the excellent acupuncturist I saw.

[angels1]

thanks alleykitten. I'm not in london but maybe should look around. Thing is - my previous accupuncturist WAS recommended to me by someone which is why I went to her, but I never had much faith in her (and her room she worked in was horrible - being told to 'relax' for 45 minutes is one thing but when all you have to look up at is a dirty ceiling that looks like it hasnt been painted in my lifetime and you're covered in the same blanket every time with the same cigarette burn hole...maybe I'm odd like that but found it very hard). If I did have accupuncture again I would try someone else though.

[angels1]

oh and worrywarts I'm seeing my doc on monday, although not sure what she'll say or do.