Courtney Maree Reiman, DACM, LAc, specializing in fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and loss @drcourtneyreiman

How can acupuncture be helpful in pregnancy?

Acupuncture can alleviate many acute and chronic conditions, including those common in pregnancy, by ensuring the free flow of qi and blood. Based on the trimester that you are in, there are specific ways in which you may benefit.

First Trimester

This is the usually the most vulnerable time in your pregnancy, as the body is undergoing significant changes. The incredible joy and excitement of becoming pregnant can often be offset with some not-so-easy symptoms!

Morning Sickness

Although this term is a misnomer (speak to any mama whose experience with nausea was restricted to the morning!), morning sickness is no joke, and can range from light nausea to extreme cases of hyperemesis gravidarum (severe nausea and vomiting leading to risky levels of dehydration). Chinese medicine views nausea in pregnancy as an interruption to the natural flow of stomach qi; treatments work to redirect stomach qi back to the proper direction to help nausea subside.

Anxiety/Sleep Disorders

Given the symphony of hormonal changes that are happening in the body, it is not surprising that many women experience mood and sleep disorders during their first trimester. Whether you feel like you want to claw your partner’s eyes out or that you don’t have enough tissues in the house to soothe your tears during car commercials, it is okay and normal to experience emotional highs and lows in any stage of pregnancy.

Acupuncture treatments are able to pacify anger by smoothing stagnant qi; uplift the mood for bouts of sadness by nourishing the heart; or ground anxious energy by calming the spirit. In the same vein, our emotions are often what blocks us from a solid, good night’s rest. By working on balancing these emotions (or “smoothing the qi”), acupuncture can also be effective for those mamas who struggle with getting a good night’s rest.    

Fatigue

Up to 90% of pregnant women in their first trimester struggle with fatigue and exhaustion. It’s no surprise, given that progesterone levels are at an all-time high, together with the work that your body is doing to increase its blood volume or anything new that the body is working with in regard to the change and increase in overall hormonal activity. You are also growing an entirely new organ - the placenta! Acupuncture is very effective in nourishing the blood as well as strengthening and “lifting qi” to relieve severe fatigue.

Pain

Again, significant physiological changes in the body during pregnancy are not uncommon. Changes in blood flow and volume might lead to headaches, pelvic changes might lead to back pain, shifts in organ position, increased progesterone, and other causes might lead to constipation. Acupuncture helps by bringing the body into balance - releasing stagnation, sending blood flow and reducing inflammation to the areas that need it most.

Threatened Miscarriage

Most miscarriages occur within the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. While not all miscarriages can be prevented (most are due to chromosomal abnormalities), acupuncture is proven to balance hormone levels that may play a crucial role in decreasing miscarriage rates, particularly in early pregnancy. 

Second Trimester

Every mama is different, but in most cases, symptoms that pop up during the first trimester tend to subside in the second trimester. Fatigue, nausea, and even struggles with digestion often take a break during months four, five and six. 

The second trimester is typically when a woman has that unmistakable ‘baby glow’. They’ve regained their energy, they feel great in their bodies and the body is functioning well. For these women, I often suggest that they take a break from treatments during the second trimester and just allow their bodies to feel great on their own. Of course, if your symptoms continue into this phase, you might be advised to keep up with treatments.

Third Trimester

All of the glorious things that may come along with a growing belly: the return of symptoms that came about in the first trimester, with swollen feet/ankles, hemorrhoids, back pain - not to mention preparing your body for labor - are all perfect reasons to return to your acupuncturist during the third trimester. And keep in mind, by the end of pregnancy, a woman usually builds 60% more blood volume than when she was not pregnant. Your practitioner will help your body manage all of this change through acupuncture as well as nutritional and lifestyle guidance to meet the demands of your growing baby.

Breech Presentation

Acupuncture and moxibustion can be very helpful if your baby is in breech position. Studies show that implementing this modality is not only safe, it can really work! If your baby is breech, talk to your practitioner about when and how often to come in, starting at 34 weeks.

What is an appointment like?

At your first appointment, your practitioner will likely have you fill out a questionnaire, asking you thorough questions about your diet, digestion, sleep, mood, stress levels, menstrual history and overall health. They may take a look at your tongue and check your pulse. After talking with you at length about your health history, they get you comfortably set up on a massage table, and then you’ll get to relax for a bit. 

Based on your discussion with the practitioner and where you are in your pregnancy, you will be told how many sessions will be appropriate to resolve any symptoms, or to simply come in regularly to maintain a healthy pregnancy. Because there are so many changes that occur throughout pregnancy, many mothers opt to receive acupuncture throughout. Even if you do not have any major "symptoms", acupuncture is proven to nourish the blood, transport essential nutrients to the fetus, and then towards later pregnancy promote optimal positioning of the baby for birth, relax the ligaments and help with cervical dilation.

When is it best to make an appointment and how often do I have to go?

Results become evident over time as the body responds to gentle and consistent treatments, often together with diet and lifestyle adjustments. In addition to all of the other things that acupuncture can do to optimize your pregnancy, as you get closer to your due date, you may choose to use acupuncture for labor support or even to facilitate baby's optimal positioning (breech presentation).

Is acupuncture covered by insurance?

A growing number of insurance plans cover acupuncture. If a practitioner is not in-network, be sure to check what your out of network benefits are. Some practitioners will even bill as a courtesy to out of network providers. Still other clinics are happy to provide you with a superbill (itemized receipt) if you wish to submit for reimbursement to your insurance carrier, or if you prefer to use a health savings or flex spending account.