Bloating and acupuncturist

[Yubgftr]

I'm 8 weeks pregnant and have acupuncture every week - have done so for months to help with conception and cycle etc.

It's definitely helped my cycles and Pms symptoms and I conceived very quickly.

Sometimes my acupuncturist talks about some of my pregnancy symptoms, particularly bloating and sore breasts, as if they are not the normal and almost something to be concerned about. From what I read online bloating happens to a lot of people but she says this indicates an imbalance and needs to be worked on. Tbf my bloating is a lot less this time compared to a previous pregnancy that sadly ended early.

Because I've had previous losses, when I hear things like this it really worries me. Now I'm freaking out because I was quite bloated over the weekend. I'm so terrified something might not be right.

I don't think my acupuncturist means anything bad with her remarks and acupuncture has been beneficial to me overall. But I often come out feeling like there's something not right with me or my symptoms even though it's been fine so far according to Western medicine standards.

Bloating and sore breasts are normal.

The bloating is caused by progesterone slowing down your digestive system, and sore breasts as the tissue is getting ready for breastfeeding.

I'm 9 weeks now and have both. Think your acupuncturist is talking out of their arse.

I'm sorry for your previous losses, it must make this time even more anxiety-inducing. Maybe pause the acupuncture for now? Or even just a week or two?

Thanks @BackOnTheBandWagon I'm also taking progesterone pessaries so have extra progesterone in system so no surprise there's bloating.

I keep meaning not to discuss my symptoms much in the acupuncture sessions so she doesn't comment too much but not ideal. I'm going away next week so maybe I'll do a break then.

Even when I tell her I'm going away and taking a plane, she implies that that's a bad thing. But it's short haul and to a safe EU country. Gynae and midwife said its fine. Hate doubting myself so much

Bump

There are some great acupuncturists out there. But unfortunately I don’t think yours is one of them. You need to feel able to discuss your symptoms and they shouldn’t be guilt tripping you.

@FivePotatoesHigh you're right. I often come out feeling like I'm not right or I'm doing sth wrong but with other medical professionals it's the opposite.

I'm 35 but gynae and midwife don't bat an eyelid at my age yet I've had a lot of comments from acupuncturist about age as if I'm 45.

I've spent the day feeling worried after the bloating comments and like I have to brace myself for something bad happening again.

Not sure what to do as the treatment does benefit me a lot and maybe I've come to see it as necessary to my fertility journey but the comments just don't help at all.

Could you try a different acupuncturist?

This acupuncturist is a lot closer to home than others which has meant I can fit it into routine but I will look into alternatives and hopefully if I make it to second trimester I can maybe stop going after a while

I'm sorry you walk out of the sessions with so many doubts @Yubgftr and agree with PP re either pausing treatments or possibly finding a different acupuncturist. You shouldn't be made to feel bad and to me it seems really insensitive, especially considering your previous losses.

I had all my antenatal care in China with dc1. Your acupuncturist is not following Chinese medicine rules here. Pregnancy symptoms in China are treated as very normal and expected, and the professionals in China recommended that I avoid all medical intervention during pregnancy even herbal teas or paracetamol, and including acupuncture as this is not viewed as a complimentary therapy over there and wouldn’t be used willy nilly.

I think your acupuncturist is either inexperienced with how TCM views pregnancy or is looking for problems to solve to keep you going back. I found people in the west find more problems to worry about during pregnancy because it is so medicalised even by alternative practitioners.

Suuuuper bloated in early pregnancy - never suffered with it before. Currently 33 weeks and I've heard of so many people who also got really bloated

I think your acupuncturist is either inexperienced with how TCM views pregnancy or is looking for problems to solve to keep you going back.

I think you're right, it makes it seem so necessary if she keeps highlighting issues and I've fallen into that trap a bit as I would be nervous to stop completely yet in case something bad happened but I think I need to reevaluate as this isn't making me feel good.

Thanks @Skippy90 I definitely need to rethink things. I've had some nightmares about pregnancy loss tonight and just starting to feel very nervous about everything. Last loss was at 12 weeks so feel like I'm entering danger zone soon

Hi Op, I agree with other posters that you should leave your acupuncturist, she is not being professional and whilst you may feel the benefit of the acupuncture itself she is making you anxious and stressed in the process which isn't helpful.

An alternative would be to try talking to her about the way you feel and ask her to stop. You'd like to think she'd rather stop the comments than lose a client!