Acupuncture & Herbs for your Pregnancy
We love supporting people with their fertility. Once they do conceive this is how we look at the pregnancy support plan. Based on your symptoms your practitioner will assign you a plan close to what we have put here.
First trimester - Congratulations! Now is a bit a waiting game. The first trimester is often a combination of nerves and varying levels of general unease.
The primary symptoms in the early weeks is nausea and vomiting. Acupuncture and herbs can help reduce nausea and vomiting. We us a special treatment technique to help your body release some tension and heat. If you choose to take herbs we have herbs to support your digestive tract.
Second trimester - it is common to see nausea and morning sickness go until about halfway through the pregnancy. Once you are feeling well we recommend treatments every 2-4 weeks in this phase. With regular care we can have a good eye on reducing any risk factors and keep you feeling well.
When to come in ASAP during the second trimester -
pubic symphysis pain
low back pain
acid reflux
a high blood pressure reading (herbs can help!)
before your gestational diabetes screening (herbs can help!)
Third trimester - We love this time. We recommend you get a midwife check in around 30 weeks to see your baby’s position. If your baby is still head up, now is one of the easies times to help baby turn! For those with OBGYN care it is common to check in on baby’s position around 36-37 weeks. If you get the news your baby is breech, come in ASAP!We have herbs and treatment to help your baby turn.
If you are feeling well we recommend to come every two weeks until 34 weeks. At 34 weeks we start to prepare your body for labor. We increase qi and blood flow and make sure to tonify you for the great physical event of labor.
At 37 weeks you can come as often as you want - if you’re up for it we will add in herbs to help prepare your body for labor. Acupuncture can help support cervical ripening, uterine function and baby’s descent.
Labor - we do house calls. If you want the support of acupuncture for labor just ask your practitioner. We can recommend someone on our team. (based on availability)
Fourth trimester - We encourage you to REST and eat nourishing foods and stay as chill as possible. This is the most challenging things for modern women. Truly resting will help your body heal from head to toe. We know so many women who accept urinary leaking, fatigue and tough mental health as the norm postpartum. This is common but does not need to be your normal. We are here to support you!
We recommend our three treatment postpartum home visit package. Starting 4-7 days after birth is a great time to get a treatment. The adrenaline is worn off and it’s time to rebuild the qi and blood from the huge effort of birth. Whether you have a cesarean or vaginal birth - acupuncture can be an incredibly powerful tool to support the reintegration of mind, body and spirit.
If you’d rather wait to come into the office, please give yourself a couple weeks of rest and come in on a day you have no other appointments. You may feel tired after your acupuncture appointment. This is ok, your body is asking you to rest and rebuild.
We LOVE treating you during this magical time of gestation. The transformation of pregnancy to motherhood is so incredible. Please contact us if you have any questions.