You’re pregnant! Congratulations.
But perhaps you’re not blooming quite as you expected. We have this idealised version of the glowing pregnancy, but the reality is that it isn’t always like that, and it can be a tough time for your body and your mind.
And that’s where I come in - because acupuncture for pregnancy, along with Chinese herbal medicine, are wonderful treatments. They’re safe and nourishing on every level, free from side effects and a great way to alleviate common pregnancy issues. And they’ll help you to flourish (so you can feel the bloom after all).
Why acupuncture for pregnancy and birth?
Our life energy (qi in Chinese Medicine) is responsible for nourishing our bones, our blood, the internal organs, and every cell and tissue in the body. And so, with the huge physiological demands of pregnancy, it’s understandable that it can become sluggish or deficient. And that makes you feel unwell, physically or emotionally.
The acupuncture treatment for pregnancy will bring your body back to balance, so it can get on with all it needs to do, whilst still leaving enough in the reserves for you and your health.
What can acupuncture for pregnancy help with?
Acupuncture for pregnancy: first trimester
As a fertility acupuncturist, I continue to work with my clients with early pregnancy support, treating in the first trimester to help nourish the pregnancy and keep mum feeling as well as possible. I welcome new clients at this time too, so it's fine to get in touch if you’ve just had positive news and we haven’t worked together previously.
Treatments at this time can help:
- Alleviate morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and overcome food aversion
- Aid digestion and ease heartburn and indigestion
- Help boost energy levels and overcome fatigue
- Reduce stress levels and support general health and wellbeing
- Minimise chances of recurrent miscarriage
- Nourish embryonic development
- Reduce negative immune response
Acupuncture for pregnancy: second & third trimester
As the pregnancy continues, there can be more impact on you and your body, and again these respond brilliantly to acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Many of these are common pregnancy ailments. Some may not be related to the pregnancy but acupuncture provides a natural, safe remedy when you either can’t take medication or don’t want to.
A few of the conditions that respond well include:
- Back pain, sciatica and other musculoskeletal discomfort
- Oedema and swelling including ankle swelling
- Indigestion and heartburn/acid reflux
- Nausea, HG and other digestive problems
- Constipation, cystitis and other bowel or bladder issues
- Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD)
- Disturbed sleep and insomnia
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Low mood, depression, stress and anxiety
What can acupuncture for birth help with?
Pre-birth treatments
The last weeks of pregnancy are so important for preparing for the labour and birth physically, mentally and emotionally and I’ll be on hand to help you get you ready. It can be such an important time to feel well, strong and fully prepared for the birth.
Together, we’ll support you at this vital time to:
- Turn breech presentation if needed
- Relax the tendons and soften the cervix with the aim of avoiding medical induction
- Feel strong and powerful for the birth - on every level
- Stay calm and resilient, overcome the fear so you feel mentally prepared
- Keep energy levels up so you’re ready for birth - and a new baby
Postnatal treatments
And now that baby’s here, it’s time to welcome the Golden Month, as it’s known in Chinese Medicine. This time is vital for recovery on every level and even plays a role in future fertility. And yes, you’ll have a small baby with a whole heap of demands, but your needs are also so important now.
Treatment at this time is all about:
- Encouraging recovery and bringing the body, mind and emotions back to balance
- Supporting the Uterus, which has roles beyond what we think of in Western medicine
- Giving you a haven of me time, even if baby comes too
- Emphasising rest and recovery, and supporting your system with healing foods and gentle movement
- Enabling your body to regain its strength at its natural pace (no back-to-bikini challenges here)
- Putting long-lasting foundations for your health and fertility in place
"Just to say thank you for the acupuncture. He arrived late last night after I went into hospital with natural contractions the same morning. No induction needed! I really do believe the acupuncture had such a positive effect, both for natural labour and the fact I went from 5cm to 10cm in 45 minutes – which massively helped to speed things up!"
JT, 29
"Thanks for all your help – the midwives said the birth was amazing without any pain relief and what had I been doing to prepare?!"
AP, 33
"Thank you so much for all your help, expertise and calm words of wisdom over the last few months. I have really enjoyed the acupuncture sessions and am convinced they helped with the speedy and safe delivery of Max without the need for any interventions."
JR, 32
"He arrived yesterday in a water birth with minimal complications, so the energy was definitely channelled in the right direction!"
CR, 35
Why me?
Pregnancy is a miracle - but wow, it doesn't always feel like it. I was so lucky to enjoy my 3 pregnancies and I’m driven to help others experience the same. I see the struggle so many go through to get pregnant, I know how many imagine an idyllic time, and it breaks my heart when it isn’t matching their experience. And so I’m passionate about helping people to achieve the pregnancy experience they’ve dreamt of with my acupuncture for pregnancy services. I provide pregnancy acupuncture and pre-birth acupuncture in South West London (Raynes Park, West Wimbledon).
I have done heaps of postgraduate qualifications in Obstetrics including training with the guru Debra Betts. And as a member of the London Acupuncture Childbirth Team (ACT), I’m dedicated to continually expanding my knowledge and experience to positively impact women’s experience of pregnancy and childbirth.
Places are limited!
I limit the number of people I work with at any one time to ensure I deliver the level of service and support I pride myself on, and my clients get the results they desire. I often have a waiting list so please bear that in mind.
Our work together
Our work together will be a committed partnership during this incredible time. To make the health gains you long for, I’ll ask you to commit to either my initial Acupuncture for Pregnancy or Pre-Birth Foundation. These enable the treatment benefits to be established and then, if required, we’ll continue our work together with a treatment frequency based on your progress (see ongoing pricing here).
I do recommend that most of my pregnant clients take Chinese herbs to further enhance the acupuncture treatments. They are safe and effective in pregnancy. In the interest of fairness - as everyone’s prescription is specific to them and therefore priced differently - the packages do not include the cost of the actual herbs. They do include my work tailoring your specific prescriptions and creating orders with the relevant herbal supplier which you then pay for directly (guide pricing shown below). Package costs remain the same for those clients who do not want to use Chinese herbal medicine.
Please note if you’ve been a client in the last 6 months, a Foundation package is not required and we’ll resume your treatment with the ongoing options.
Pregnancy Foundation (6 - 12 Weeks Treatment Package)
- DIAGNOSIS
- Extensive pre consultation questionnaire with analysis
- Initial consultation, evaluation and diagnosis session (90 mins including 1st acupuncture treatment)
- Personalised diagnosis report
- Initial treatment plan
- TREATMENT
- 5 further acupuncture sessions (6 in total) at weekly/fortnightly intervals
- Bespoke Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions and order creation (actual herbs to be paid for directly to herbal supplier – prices range from £20 – £35 pw)
- SUPPORT
- Targeted holistic health protocols
- Full support including between sessions and out of hours via Signal
Pre-Birth Foundation (6 Week Treatment Package)
- DIAGNOSIS
- Extensive pre consultation questionnaire with analysis
- Initial consultation, evaluation and diagnosis session (90 mins including 1st acupuncture treatment)
- Personalised diagnosis report
- Initial treatment plan
- TREATMENT
- 5 further acupuncture sessions (6 in total) at weekly intervals
- Bespoke Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions and order creation (actual herbs to be paid for directly to herbal supplier – prices range from £20 – £35 pw)
- SUPPORT
- Targeted holistic health protocols
- Full support including between sessions and out of hours via Signal
Ready to have the pregnancy you’ve dreamt of and empower that inner birth warrior? Then let’s talk.
My discovery call is a 15 minute free chat where we can check we’ll work well together and you can ask any questions you may have. And if all feels great, we’ll get you booked in for your initial consultation (no obligation; no hard sell).