Pregnancy Acupuncture
Women Health
Pre-Birth Acupuncture
This is a series of 4 weekly treatments from week 36 to prepare for labour. Points are used according to a woman’s constitution and pregnancy history and include points to ripen the cervix, to help position the baby in the best position, and to promote optimal energy and stamina for women to enter into labour.
The protocols used in this treatment are based on the practice and experience of a number of midwives and acupuncturists based in New Zealand who performed a study on 169 women. They found that when comparing all of the pregnant women’s caregivers (midwives, GP’s, consultants, etc) to those who had received pre-birth acupuncture there was.
A 35% reduction in the number of inductions (for women having their first baby this was a 43% reduction)A 31% reduction in the epidural rate
32% reduction in emergency caesarean delivery A 9% increase in normal vaginal births There was no difference in the onset of early labour in those women receiving pre-birth acupuncture.
Pregnancy Acupuncture in Bexley & London
Acupuncture offers women the choice of drug free treatment and can be successfully used for the treatment of a wide range of conditions:
- Miscarriage
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pelvic girdle pain
- Lower back pain
- Heartburn
- Sciatica
- Headaches/Migraines
- Acid reflux
- Constipation
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Anaemia
- Itching in pregnancy
- Small for date babies
- Breech presentation
- Induction
- Urinary tract infections
- Musculoskeletal conditions
- Insomnia
- Anxiety and depression
- Pregnancy-induced hypertension
- Oedema
- Postpartum recovery
- Pain relief and problems during labour
- Pregnancy-induced hypertension
Women Health
Acupuncture & Moxibustion for Breech Presentation
Acupuncture and moxibustion treat a breech presentation by using gentle heat and stimulation on a specific acupuncture point on the little toe to encourage the baby to turn naturally.
How the Treatment Works:
The treatment is focused on an acupuncture point located on the outer corner of the fifth (little) toenail. A smokeless cigar-like stick is lit, and held about one centimeter away from the skin over the point on the little toe. The gentle, warming heat stimulates local blood flow and is thought to influence maternal hormone levels, which triggers increased foetal movement.
Acupuncture may also be used to complement the moxibustion treatment and to promote overall relaxation of the pelvic region.
Timing and Routine:
Treatment is most effective when started between 34 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, with week 34 widely considered the optimal time. After 38 weeks, it becomes much less effective because the baby is larger and has less room to move although it is still worth trying to avoid an ECV or c-section.
At your initial consultation, Angelo D’Alberto will teach you or a partner how to safely perform the moxibustion at home. Sessions typically last 20-25 minutes and are repeated daily for up to 10 days. The moxibustion sticks will be provided at the end of your session for use at home.
Safety and Considerations:
Success Rates: Clinical studies suggest success rates ranging from 66% to 75% in helping fetuses rotate into a head-first position. Learn more about the research for turning breech .
Contraindications
This treatment should not be used if you have placenta previa, multiple pregnancies, uterine abnormalities, or a history of bleeding or premature labor.