Pregnancy brings about a lot of changes in a woman’s bodies, and sometimes these can cause pain and discomfort. Although they are considered “normal”, it does not mean that any woman has to suffer during this time. There are existing and safe ways that can address the most common complaints soon-to-be-mommies have.
I learned about this when I found out that I was expecting my first child. I was looking through some courses offered for pregnant women and found acupuncture as listed. I was curious and read a little bit more about why this was among the best tips for healthy pregnancy. What I discovered surprised me. Not only can these treatments relieve me from common backaches and other body pains, it can also help with these other conditions: fatigue, headaches, heartburn, constipation, nausea, cramps and even swelling.
In fact, going for trusted pregnancy acupuncture in Melbourne has benefits on the various stages:
First Trimester
During the riskiest part of the pregnancy, going through this treatment will put together a healthy foundation. This is done by diverting your resources into keeping your baby nourished and supporting its rapid growth. At the same time, sessions with your acupuncturist will help prevent miscarriage and deal with the most dreaded symptom of this trimester, morning sickness. In fact, severe nausea can shift your digestive system and make sure that you will both receive enough nutrients. With twice weekly visits the symptoms will greatly be reduced.
Partnering these sessions with a quality massage in Ivanhoe area will also address fatigue, and bring up energy levels. Every treatment enhances mom to be’s production of blood and optimal function of all internal organs.
Women who experience bleeding at this time, as well as pain in the back or in the abs, might be facing a threatened miscarriage. Scheduling an appointment with your acupuncturist as soon as possible can help you avoid this. Drinking some Chinese herbs as tea during the treatment can also help strengthen the uterus.
Second Trimester
Although most complaints tend to ease up during this time, a combination of acupuncture and massage can still help women maintain their energy or deal with any symptoms that have lingered from the first trimester, as well as the back pain that is increasing as the baby bump also grows.
Third Trimester
During this time, the baby grows to a point that mommy’s center of gravity shifts and starts to squish the organs around. This means pregnant women feel even worse back and hip pains, difficulty in sleeping, shortness of breath, heartburn, among other uncomfortable symptoms. Acupuncture can help them limit this discomfort. At the same time, it can help them prepare for the labor and delivery of the new tiny addition to the family. In fact, studies support the fact that women who actually received regular treatments during the last trimester experience easier and shorter labor.
These sessions also help in cases of breech babies. The treatment will help relax the muscles of the uterus and the abdomen, making it easier to turn them. This has been traditionally done based on Chinese medicine and has a 70% success rate. Without bringing any risks to you both, acupuncture is done between the 32nd and the 36th week so that the baby still has room. The baby should turn within 24 hours, if successful.
Visiting your acupuncturist every week towards the end of pregnancy will help women to have more efficient contractions, and help their cervix to soften and open more smoothly. Even statistics have shown that the sessions reduced the length of time women are in labor, especially for first-time moms like me. The need for medical intervention is reduced as well, including the induction of labor, the use of an epidural and the need for a caesarean delivery.
Acupuncture also provides a natural method to induce labor for those who are overdue. This has a proven 88% success rate in stimulating labor.
Post Partum
Treatments can still benefit new mothers after they give birth, supporting their physical and mental recovery. This can improve circulation of blood, and in turn, will help the production of nutritious breast milk for your new baby. A happy, well-fed newborn will also help the new parents rest more and recover quickly.
At the same time, acupuncture addresses other complaints of post-partum women like problems with milk production, urination issues, cramps, bleeding, constipation and even depression.
Reading about the benefits of visiting the nearest acupuncturist helped me make up my mind to schedule some sessions for myself. Not only do I hope that the sessions would help me deal with the pain due to my growing baby bump, I also look forward to having an easier first labor and delivery experience. As a new mommy-to-be, I want to enjoy the magic of motherhood and have the energy and good spirits to take care of my newborn. Thankfully, there is acupuncture, the best natural treatment available out there for all kinds of people, but especially women like me.
