At our Gold Coast acupuncture clinic we focus on fertility, IVF and maintenance throughout your pregnancy, including induction for labour and post birth recovery.

Acupuncture during pregnancy has been shown to reduce morning sickness and nausea, reduce symptoms of anxiety & stress, regulate hormones, relieve muscular tension, prepare mother and baby for birth, ripen the cervix ready for birth and help release hormones like oxytocin, elastin, and relaxin!

How often are the treatments?

Treatments are normally given weekly up until 12 weeks, then once a month until 36 weeks, then weekly sessions are recommended, followed by twice weekly at 40 weeks until the baby arrives.

Why have acupuncture to induce labour and how does it work?

  • Studies have shown that by receiving Acupuncture for childbirth this can shorten labor time and can minimize the overdue time
  • Acupuncture points have been shown to release natural oxytocin, which can help bring on a natural labour
  • Help to soften or ripen the cervix (which may reduce pain)
  • Relax muscles which may help the baby drop into the correct position
  • Releases elastin, which is a hormone that softens tendons allowing them to stretchacupuncture-gold-coast-induction
  • There are no safety concerns as acupuncture’s natural induction technique is extremely safe for both mother and baby. There are also no known side affects.

When do I start treatment for induction?

Ideally, treatment would start at approx. 32 weeks until 36 weeks, (32, 34 & 36) then once a week until 40 weeks (37, 38, 39, 40). After this we recommend twice per week until the baby arrives. If you don’t start until after 32 weeks that’s ok too, however the sooner you can start treatment the earlier we can get mum and bub ready!

How long does the treatment take?

30-50 minutes, however it will depend on each individual case.

Can acupuncture help following birth?

Having a newborn can be a very stressful and busy time, acupuncture may assist in the management of stress and sleep deprivation as well as prolapse, postpartum depression, mastitis and assist with milk production. We may also suggest Chinese herbs that may assist in rebalancing your body after labour as well as to provide nourishment.

If you would like to speak to a practitioner to discuss your treatment, please give us a call on 5531 6461 or email us on info@haynesacupuncture.com.au. You can also book online here.

© Haynes Acupuncture

References:

da Silva, J. (2015). Acupuncture in pregnancy. Acupunct Med, 33(5), pp.350-352.

Kvorning, N., Holmberg, C., Grennert, L., Aberg, A. and Akeson, J. (2004). Acupuncture relieves pelvic and low-back pain in late pregnancy. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 83(3), pp.246-250.

Li S, Zhong W, Peng W, Jiang G,.  (2018). Effectiveness of acupuncture in postpartum depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.  Acupunct Med.

McDonald J, Janz S. The Acupuncture Evidence Project: A Comparative Literature Review (Revised edition). Brisbane: Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association Ltd; 2017. http://www.acupuncture.org.au.

Park J, e. (2016). The safety of acupuncture during pregnancy: a systematic review. – PubMed – NCBI. [online] Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24554789?dopt=Abstract [Accessed 11 Oct. 2016].

West, Z. (2008). Acupuncture in pregnancy and childbirth. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier