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First Trimester
Second Trimester
Third Trimester
Final stages of pregnancy
First Trimester
During this period perhaps the most common complaint treated
with acupuncture is
morning sickness. Also commonly treated is fatigue and
low immunity. You may notice an increase in colds and infections
as your immune system can suffer in the early days. Other
conditions that we can treat at this stage include; aphonia
(loss of voice), itching, blocked sinuses and constipation.
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Second Trimester
At
this stage symptoms such as heartburn or insomnia may start to
become problematic. These can all be treated in the clinic as
well as blood pressure problems, urinary tract infections,
headaches, cramps and swelling of the feet and hands. Painful
conditions such as SPD, sciatica and carpal tunnel syndrome can
also be treated with acupuncture.
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Third Trimester
Acupuncture can provide pain relief to help improve mobility at
this stage. For example, by treating pelvic and low back pain.
Also treated are haemorrhoids, varicose veins and dizziness.
Naturally, anxiety is also commonly experienced as the birth
approaches.
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Final Stage of pregnancy
In
the last 3 weeks
of pregnancy acupuncture can be used to prepare women for
childbirth. Research has demonstrated that the duration of
labour in a group of 140 women giving birth for the first time,
was reduced from 8 hours and 2 minutes in the control group to 6
hours and 36 minutes in the group that received pre-birth
acupuncture.
Labour Induction
Acupuncture can be used for induction of labour in normal,
healthy, pregnant women who have had no complications in their
pregnancy. Success tends to depend on how far beyond term the
pregnancy is, with the best results at 10 to 14 days. Treatment
will usually start the uterus hardening, and contractions may
begin. Repeat sessions may be necessary and can be arranged
outside of the drop in clinic hours in certain cases.
Turning Breech Babies
Acupuncture can be successful in turning
breech babies, with greatest success between 32 and 35 weeks.
However, it has been reported to be effective up to 37 weeks.
Your practitioner will demonstrate the process of using a moxa
stick over an acupuncture point on the foot, which can be
continued at home. It is a way of using heat to stimulate an
acupuncture point. It is vital to consult your midwife for
confirmation of whether the baby has turned.
Please note that acupuncture cannot be
used to turn breech babies in the following cases: if the mother
has had a previous caesarean section for breech position, if the
mother suffers with raised blood pressure, if there has been any
bleeding in pregnancy, or if the mother is rhesus negative.
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