Pregnancy

Pregnancy comes with new challenges, from daily symptoms like nausea to breech babies as you approach labor and delivery. Regular treatments from licensed acupuncturist Bethany Leddy, DACM, MSOM, at Elemental Acupuncture in Tuckahoe, New York, can alleviate symptoms and set you up for a smooth delivery. Schedule your pregnancy acupuncture consultation online or over the phone today.

What are some common pregnancy symptoms?

Many people experience a range of symptoms as they go through the three pregnancy trimesters. While symptoms can evolve throughout your pregnancy, many of them are uncomfortable and disruptive to your everyday life. 

Fortunately, acupuncture can help alleviate these symptoms and improve your well-being while you’re pregnant. Acupuncture can reduce many common pregnancy symptoms across all three trimesters, including:

• Low back pain
• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Swollen ankles
• Heartburn 
• Headaches
• Sciatica

Additionally, symptoms of other disorders can flare up during pregnancy if you’re not allowed to take your typical medications for them. In addition to treating pregnancy symptoms, acupuncture is a safe substitute for medications for depression, anxiety, and allergies. 

How does acupuncture support a healthy pregnancy?

You might be surprised to find out that acupuncture isn’t just safe during pregnancy – it’s beneficial, too. In addition to treating common pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness and fatigue, acupuncture from an experienced acupuncturist can support you from the first trimester through labor and beyond. 

Personalized acupuncture at Elemental Acupuncture can help ensure on-time labor and delivery. While you can get acupuncture throughout your entire pregnancy, treatments at 36-37 weeks can align your energy to prepare your body for childbirth. Acupuncture can also induce labor. 

Another benefit of acupuncture during pregnancy is its ability to help turn breech babies. Breech babies are babies positioned upright in the uterus. For smooth childbirth, the head needs to come out first. Dr. Leddy has substantial experience in turning breech babies using acupuncture and moxibustion, a healing therapy using burning herbs called mugwort leaves. 

Should I continue acupuncture post-partum?

Dr. Leddy encourages you to continue using acupuncture post-partum for additional health and wellness benefits. Acupuncture post-partum helps restore your health and relax so you can be present and engaged with your new baby. During and after pregnancy, regular acupuncture promotes relaxation, stress relief, and sound sleep. 

Postpartum acupuncture can address:

• Postpartum depression
• Postpartum vaginal discharge
• Mastitis
• Insufficient or excessive lactation
• Postoperative healing after a Cesarean section

To further assist in your recovery process after giving birth, Dr. Leddy may offer dietary recommendations, herbal supplements, or additional Chinese medicine treatments. 

Schedule a consultation online or over the phone at Elemental Acupuncture to learn more about the benefits of using acupuncture during pregnancy.

“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