Acupuncture in pregnancy

[justhayley]

Hi everyone,
I am 24 + 2 weeks pregnant and my boss ha decided to treat me to an acupuncture session tomorrow. He swares by it and says his wife had it through all of her pregnancies - resulting in labours under 90 minutes :) and no aches and pains during pregnancy.

Iv never had it before and was wondering if anyone has had it during pregnancy and/or if they know anything about it?

Thanks
Hayley x

Hi Hayley,

Not had it yet but my first pre-birth session is booked for tomorrow so will post again about how it was. Am 36 weeks btw.

The pre-birth acupuncture in the UK is not as common as it is in other countries and the women running my NCT classes said there was no evidence it was beneficial, like with all other alternative treatments but I happily disagree.

I'm from a country in Central Europe where accupuncture during pregnancy, especially in the last 4 weeks and during labour is standard if you want it and most midwives are trained to do it. In fact, studies from a well known Maternity hospital show that if you have at least 4 sessions of accupuncture in the 4 weeks before birth, it shortens your labour an average of 2 hours by preparing your cervix.

I found it hard to find info on this over here, so just use the ones given in my home country. It's good enough for me to give it a go. If nothing else, it should strenghten your confidence about labour and birth.

Hi Hayley

I had acupuncture to help me conceive this pregnancy, and I'm still having it now (10 wks). I use it to help me relax and relieve any symptoms. I'm going to stop during the 2nd trimester, all being well, but may consider it again at the end if i get spd again and to help prepare for the birth. Hth.

Hi both,
Thanks for your replys. Iv read a bit about it on the Internet, I really believe in holistic and alternative therapies and think it's a shame they are not offered out to people at affordable rates so we could all get involved!
From what iv read it seems most beneficial in the 1st and 3rd trimesters - I'm In the 2nd lol I'm hoping that it will relieve some of the pain I'm getting in my hips every night, and If it can tackle heartburn as well I'll be hooked! Would deff like to have it weekly from 7 1/2 / 8 months until birth - if it can shorten labour by even 10 minutes I reckon it must be worth it!

Let me no how you find your session tomorrow and I'll do the same.

Hayley xx

Like little friend i have had acupuncture
To help me conceive, get over miscarriages , through pregnancy and to
Help induce me.
It's fantastic for boosting system , dealing with nausea and fatigue and for post birth recovery . You do need an experienced practitioner though.

Hi ladies,
I had my acupuncture session today. Not really sure what to make of it to be honest. During the consultation before the session I was told I had healthy kidneys & I shouldn't eat ice cream as my baby finds it too cold! The therapist then felt my tummy and said you are defiantly having a boy - I was shocked that she just came out with it and said it with such conviction. I am actually having a boy lol. I actually fell asleep during the session so can't tell u much about it lol. I was surprised I wasn't told anything after - I thought they would tell me things about my body. My boss has kindly treated me to 6 sessions. They don't want to see me again for another 3/4 weeks. I didn't go in asking them to treat anything in particular so havnt come out being cured of anything. Maybe the next session will be more beneficial as I'll probably be a lot bigger and uncomfortable by then. the only thing I have noticed was the amount of mooving my babies done since the session - I'm not sure he's slept at all since 2.30pm - it's now midnight! I don't no if that's something that happens after acupuncture or it's a coincidence!

Anyway that's my experience. Off to sleep now if baby let's me - feels like hes invited some friends over to my stomach and is having a party in there!

Night all x

I'm a massive fan of acupuncture and other alternative practices, but (and this is a big but!) in the wrong hands it can be terrible. I've had amazing sessions that helped a lot (i.e. I once had a horrible head ache and 4 needles on my neck for 20 minutes got rid of it completely) and one really nasty one, where the lady actually hurt me and said it was normal. By the way, it isn't! If it hurts you have to tell the therapist and he/she will use an alternative point.