Pregnancy is a beautiful and fantastic experience that can sometimes offer physical challenges. Acupuncture works for many of these challenges in pregnancy, for everything from morning sickness in the first trimester to sciatica in the third trimester. It is also a safe and effective treatment when some options such as western medicine may be contraindicated in pregnancy.
Acupuncture can treat every symptom that develops throughout pregnancy from swollen ankles, and fatigue, to breech presentation and lower back pain. Acupuncture can also address pre-existing conditions that taking medications for are contraindicated in pregnancy such as allergies, depression, or anxiety. As a great side effect of treatment patients feel relaxed, less stress, and sleep more soundly.
Acupuncture is also important post-partum. The restoration of the mother’s health is imperative for her own well being and for her ability to be present for her newborn.
It is important to choose an Acupuncturist who is experienced in working with pregnant patients. I have had the good fortune to work with hundreds of pregnant patients through every stage of their pregnancy and have assisted at many births by easing pain during labor and speeding the progression of labor naturally.
Acupuncture is also extremely effective in turning breech babies. I have much success in turning breech presentation with acupuncture and moxibustion. It is effective about 80% of the time. You should begin treatment around 35 weeks for breech turning.
Acupuncture is also extremely effective in helping to ensure on time labor and is effective in labor induction. Around 36-37 weeks you should begin to have treatment to harmonize and align your energy and help get the uterus and body ready for delivery. If you have gone past 40 weeks then we can immediately begin labor induction treatments which help encourage hormonal changes necessary to bring about labor.
Conditions Treated During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Morning Sickness
Neck and shoulder pain
Fatigue
Heartburn
Constipation
Hemorrhoids
Pelvic, hip, and sacral pain
Lower Back Pain and Sciatica
Edema
Wrist pain and Carpal Tunnel SyndromAllergies and nasal rhinitis
Breech and Transverse Presentation
Labor Induction
Anxiety
Depression
Postpartum vaginal discharge
Postpartum Depression
Mastitis
Insufficient or Excessive Lactation
If there has been caesarean section, acupuncture can help with the post operative healing.
“I've always been very active, but after the birth of my son I had trouble with incontinence and it made jogging almost impossible for me. A friend suggested that I see Bethany, and nearly immediately I began to see a marked change. Bethany continued to treat me regularly for about months and now, thanks to her, I am back to my normal activities.” B. Mancini, 38
“I credit Bethany with enabling me to get pregnant and carry my baby to term. After several miscarriages, I visited Bethany prior to my next pregnancy attempt. I was 39, which the medical world loves to call advanced age. I truly believe my daughter would not be here if it wasn't for Bethany's touch. I also had a needle phobia and she worked me through that as well. Not only did I see her for the first trimester, but I chose to continue my visits until birth. I had an amazingly easy pregnancy, which I credit her for. Not only is Bethany fantastic at her profession, but she truly cares about her patients and their well being. “ Maya Brewster-Dorian
“I started seeing Bethany halfway through my second pregnancy with a laundry list of complaints. I had never had acupuncture before, so I was a little skeptical. But Bethany took a lot of time to get to know me and was able to concentrate on a number of different issues in each session. For my acute pain, I was able to find relief within 24 hours. Thank you Bethany, for making my pregnancy so much more comfortable!”
When I got quite a bit past 40 weeks into pregnancy without going into labor, my midwives suggested I try acupuncture to get things going. Bethany Leddy was great about fitting me in for an appointment even with very little notice. I had no previous experience with acupuncture, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but Bethany did a great job explaining everything to me. I expected that it might be quite painful, but for me it really wasn't, and the actual experience ended up being extremely relaxing. When we spoke on the phone before I came in, Bethany mentioned that, since I'd never had acupuncture before, it was likely that I'd need two sessions before going into labor, but that then it should hopefully have an effect within 24 hours. And indeed I went into labor about 12 hours after my second session. All in all, being treated by Bethany was an excellent first experience with acupuncture, and I would certainly recommend it to a friend. –S. Torpey