Pregnancy

Acupuncture treatment during pregnancy benefits both mother and child, allowing many women to enjoy their pregnancies to the fullest. Acupuncture is recommended at Florida Complete Wellness, Inc. to enhance the health of the mother, decrease unpleasant pregnancy-related symptoms and contribute to a positive overall birthing experience. We are now contracted with Memorial Hospital Miramar to provide labor acupuncture support for patients upon request.

First Trimester:

A recent Austrailian study published in the journal Birth reports that of 593 women less than 14 weeks pregnant who participated, those who recieved acupuncture reported having less frequent and shorter periods of nausea than the women who received no acupuncture. These improvements were felt immediately and lasted throughout the the four-week duration of the study. During the first trimester, acupuncture also relieves fatigue, bleeding and migraines.

Second Trimester:

By maintaining balance into the second trimester, acupuncture can alleviate hemorrhoids, heartburn, and help ease stress. Other commonly treated conditions include edema, elevated blood pressure and excessive weight gain. These latter conditions require concurrant monitoring by the expectant mother’s obstetric physician.

Third Trimester:

As this is the stage where certain conditions such as sciatica, pubic, joint pain and backache can be more problematic, acupuncture can offer much needed relief. During this time, the acupuncture physician will also focus on acupuncture points aimed at properly positioning the baby by encouraging a head-down position. In the last four to six weeks of pregnancy, the mother wil receive treatment to normalize labor and keep her as comfortable as possible.

Birth and Post-Natal Care:

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that the use of moxabustion, when applied to 130 pregnant women with breech presentations, increased the number of head-first births significantly. Used in China for centuries as a form of medicine, Chinese mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris) is lit in stick-form and burned over a point on the fifth toe (not touching the skin). This gentle, smoldering heat treatment should be used at 32-36 weeks and only in healthy pregnancies.

Acupuncture for Depression:

In a study published in the prestigious journal Obstetrics and Gynecology (March 2010) researchers found 63% of the women who received depression-specific acupuncture reported a significant reduction in symptoms, compared to 44% of women in the other two groups combined. Remission rates were not significantly lower in the depression-specific acupuncture group compared to the other two groups.

“I hope that people will respect the rigorous methodology used in this blinded, randomized, controlled trial and accept the result,” study researcher Deirdre Lyell, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Stanford University School of Medicine, said in a news release, and the treatment of depression during pregnancy “is critically important so that a woman can maintain her sense of well-being and take good care of herself, her fetus, and someday, her child.”

Acupuncture During Labor:

Many expectant mothers turn to acupuncture for pain relief and to replenish energy during labor. However, acupuncture can also help stimulate uterine contractions without the use of drugs. This is achieved by using acupuncture points not typically used earlier in the pregnancy due to their ability to perform this action. Usually, the expectant mother would have a series of two to three successive days of one-hour treatments prior to her induction date (if applicable), so early referral is essential. A loved one who can provide transportation to and from the clinic is needed as well.

Acupuncture After Delivery:

Acupuncture is often used to staunch heavy bleeding, and can be especially welcome after delivery. Additionally, the first six weeks postpartum can be an excellent time to address underlying imbalances with acupuncture that possibly have been existing for years, such as mild depression and menstrual irregularities.

In addition to restoring a mother’s energy levels after the stress of delivery and alleviating depression and anxiety, acupuncture can be used during pregnancy and postpartum to relieve backache and migraines. Additional acupuncture treatment may be needed after a Cesarean section to promote faster recuperation.

Research on Acupuncture during Pregnancy:

ACUPUNCTURE FOR PELVIC AND BACK PAIN IN PREGNANCY

In this Swedish study, 72 pregnant women (2437 weeks) suffering pelvic or low back pain were randomly assigned to an acupuncture group or a control group. Traditional acupuncture points and ahshi points were needled (with deqi elicited) in individualised treatments, once or twice a week until disappearance of symptoms or delivery in the acupuncture group. Treatment was given for at least three weeks, twice weekly for the first two weeks, then once a week. The control group received no treatment. During the study period the pain decreased in 60% of patients in the acupuncture group compared to 14% of the controls, dropping to 43% and 9% respectively at the end of the study. (Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2004; 83(3): 246-50).

ACUPUNCTURE AND RECURRENT PREGNANCY LOSS (RPL)

Letter from a patient experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss:

Dear Dr. Celada,

I apologize for taking so long to write, but I have been busy with a new baby. That baby, born January 6th, 2011, is here because of your help.

I came to you after suffering through over two years of multiple miscarriages. You first helped my body heal from my last miscarriage and then you began preparing my body to carry a baby to term. Once I was pregnant, you treated me through the third month, and the result was that I carried the baby to full term, giving birth to a healthy, beautiful boy.

Before I came to you, there were times that I had given up. You treated me with kindness, gentleness and absolute expertise. You gave me encouragement and hope. I feel truly blessed to have found you. Thank you for helping to make my dream come true.

All my love,

Alex H.