Women’s Health
Balanced Mama: Acupuncture & Wellness for Expecting Mothers
For a mother-to-be, pregnancy is a time of great metamorphosis. It also marks the beginning of new life. To say that it is an exciting time for you and your family is an understatement! It takes an incredible amount of energy and biological resources for an embryo to develop cell by cell, minute by minute over the course of 40 weeks into your full-grown sweet, precious baby. The physical demands placed on both you and child during this miraculous time are huge.
More and more, western medical practitioners are recommending acupuncture to their birthing patients as a safe and effective way to ease many of the discomforts that accompany pregnancy like nausea, indigestion, aches and pains, and depression and anxiety. In East Asian Medicine, health is treated not just as the absence of disease, but the presence of balance and vitality. Not only can acupuncture ease uncomfortable symptoms, it is a fantastic way to create a foundation of health and ease for both you and your baby from conception all the way up to labor and delivery.
First things first: Yes, acupuncture is safe to do while pregnant!
Acupuncture provides safe and effective relief for common ailments that can occur in pregnancy such as morning sickness, migraines, back pain, neck pain, fatigue, and indigestion. It is a great alternative to over-the-counter medications usually used to treat these conditions like Ibuprofen which are contraindicated during pregnancy. Acupuncture is also effective for labor and delivery preparation.
How Acupuncture Can Help
First trimester (Weeks 1-12):
- Creates better reproductive conditions for keeping and maintaining a healthy pregnancy
- Alleviates nausea, helping you to stay nourished as you nurture the beginnings of new life
- Reduces fatigue, supporting you to feel more energized as you adjust to the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy
Second & third trimesters (weeks 13-40):
- Reduces aches and pains (back pain, pelvic pain, hip pain, carpal tunnel syndrome sciatica, muscle aches), ensuring comfort for you and a calm environment for your baby
- Relieves heartburn, constipation, and regulates digestion, contributing to better nutrient absorption for your baby’s development
- Balances hormones, providing a stable environment for your growing baby
- Relieves shortness of breath, ensuring that you and baby get all the oxygen you need
- Eases swelling and improves circulation, relieving discomfort and enhancing flow of nutrients to your baby
- Reduces stress, anxiety, and helps with depression
- Alleviates sleep disturbances
- Regulates blood sugar and blood pressure, supporting overall health for both you and your child
Leading up to labor & delivery (week 36 onwards):
- Encourages optimal fetal positioning for labor, which can lead to a smoother delivery process for both you and baby. Baby is also an active participant in labor and benefits from optimal positioning!
- Softens the cervix
- Helps with pain management
- Increases energy levels, preparing you for the demands of labor and caring for your newborn.
Testimonials:
“At 28 weeks (the beginning of my third trimester), I started to experience shortness of breath that was impeding my ability to do the simplest of tasks. It was getting to the point that I was feeling short of breath even when I was sitting down! This is common in pregnancy, and I thought I would just have to suck it up and live with it until I gave birth to my baby.I came in to see Paola to see if she could do anything to help. Within minutes of my treatment starting, I already noticed a marked improvement in my ability to breathe – what a relief! Paola is a lifesaver. I’m at 32 weeks now, and haven’t had major issues with my breathing since. There is so much to do before baby comes and I now have the capacity to do it all without feeling tired and winded.” – A.O
“I had excruciating hip pain that was waking me up at night during my third trimester. After a few treatments with Paola, the pain in my hips decreased significantly and I have been able to sleep through the night on a more regular basis.” – A.O
Eating for Pregnancy
East Asian medicine offers a holistic approach to pregnancy nutrition that emphasizes balance, harmony, and the unique needs of both you and your baby. Here are some key principles designed to support your eating habits during every stage of pregnancy that can be practiced in conjunction with Western nutritional guidelines for pregnant women.
- Eat a balanced combination of Yin and Yang foods. Yin (cooling, nourishing) foods like leafy greens, fruits, and whole grains help build blood and support your baby’s development. Yang (warming, energizing) foods like ginger, garlic, and good quality meats support digestion and circulation. Adapt your balanced eating to the seasons, with more cooling foods in the summer and warmer, heartier foods in the winter.
- Eat warm, cooked, easy-to-digest foods that support the spleen and stomach. Think steamed foods, soups, and stews. Avoid “dampening” foods like dairy, raw fruits, and raw vegetables. It’s also important to avoid foods that cause excessive heat – your body is already in overdrive from all the hard work it is doing! These include heavy and rich foods that are hard to digest, as well as sweet and sticky foods.
- Eat foods that nourish Qi (energy) and support blood building like whole grains, legumes, dark leafy greens, and animal proteins. Pregnant women have increased blood volume, a lot of which goes towards nourishing baby’s growth and development. Eating blood building and Qi nourishing foods also helps prevent iron deficiency and maintain good energy levels.
- Aim for regular meals with a balance of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats to maintain energy levels and blood sugar stability.
- Eat slowly and mindfully in a calming environment to promote good digestion and avoid overeating.
- Drink warm or room temperature fluids such as herbal teas and warm water to support digestion, maintain balance, and support proper functioning of internal organs. Limit caffeine intake and avoid alcohol.
As you embark on this incredible journey to motherhood, remember that you and your baby are not alone. We are here to support you every step of the way, providing the guidance and care you need for a healthy and fulfilling pregnancy.
Whether through acupuncture, nutritional advice, or simply offering a listening ear, our goal is to help you navigate this transformative time with confidence and ease. Embrace the changes, nourish your body, and trust in the process of bringing new life into the world!
If you have questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can create a nurturing environment for both you and your baby. Your journey to motherhood starts here—let’s make it a beautiful experience.
Much love,
Paola & Amanda
Acupuncture for Fertility: Part I
Did you know that prime conception time in the United States occurs in fall and winter, particularly from late September through December? Whether you are trying to get pregnant in the coming months or accidentally happen to conceive, there are several ways you can prepare your body to be in the best position for a healthy start to pregnancy. Acupuncture is an effective method to support your reproductive health and create the best possible environment for your future baby to flourish!
First things first: Is acupuncture safe to do if you’re trying to get pregnant?
Yes! Acupuncture is absolutely safe when you’re trying to get pregnant. In fact, in recent years, acupuncture has emerged as a promising complementary therapy to enhance the reproductive health of both women and men. It also helps to create conditions under which your baby can thrive.
- Balances hormones and regulates your menstrual cycle
If you don’t know when you’re ovulating (or if you’re ovulating at all!), trying to have a baby becomes so much more difficult. Acupuncture balances hormone levels and supports regular ovulation, increasing your chances of conceiving.
- Increases blood flow to your reproductive organs
Better blood flow to your ovaries and uterus can lead to better egg quality and quantity, as well as a thickened, well-nourished uterine lining, increasing the likelihood of embryo implantation and successful pregnancy.
- Decreases stress and anxiety
Trying to get pregnant can be incredibly stressful! Stress, in turn, can cause hormone imbalances and impact menstrual cycles, creating a vicious cycle for those trying to conceive. Acupuncture stimulates the body’s natural mood enhancing hormones and helps regulate the body’s stress response.
A calm and balanced state can help set the stage for a healthy pregnancy. Lowering stress levels through acupuncture not only benefits mom’s health but can also positively influence your baby’s development once conception occur
When should i start acupuncture and how often should i come in?
If you’re dreaming of welcoming a little one, many acupuncturists suggest starting treatment a few months before you plan to conceive—whether naturally or with assistance like IVF (in vitro fertilization) or IUI (intrauterine insemination). This allows you to tune into your body and see how it responds over several menstrual cycles, setting a nurturing foundation for your journey to motherhood.
For those going through IVF, even just a few sessions around the time of embryo transfer can provide valuable physical and emotional support to help with implantation, making this special time as positive as possible for you and your future baby.
Eating For Fertility
When you’re trying to make a baby, what you eat can make a big difference. Here’s a simple guide to nourishing your body and boosting your fertility:
- Go for Yin Foods: Focus on cooling, moistening, and nourishing options like vibrant vegetables, fresh fruits, and hearty grains. Skip the raw veggies and salads, which can “dampen” your energy. Instead, think comforting sautés, warm soups, and cozy stews that keep your body fueled.
- Embrace Yang Foods: Don’t forget about warming and energizing choices like lean meats, fish, and whole grains. These foods can help build strength as you prepare for pregnancy.
- Blood-Building Power: Make sure your diet is rich in iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12—essential nutrients for a healthy pregnancy. Think leafy greens, red meat, eggs, liver, and beans. And don’t forget a prenatal vitamin to cover all your bases while trying to conceive!
- Spice It Up: Incorporate anti-inflammatory herbs like ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric. These not only add flavor but also help improve circulation and support fertility.
- Choose Whole Grains: Swap out refined carbs and wheat for whole, gluten-free grains. Your body will thank you!
- Sweeten Naturally: Replace refined sugars and artificial sweeteners with natural, low-glycemic options for a healthier boost.
- Limit Caffeine and Alcohol: Cut back on coffee and excess caffeine, and steer clear of alcohol, nicotine, and drugs. Your future baby will appreciate the healthy choices!
- Healthy Fats Matter: Include good sources of healthy fats, like avocados, nuts, and olive oil, to support your body’s needs.
By nourishing your body with these fertility-friendly foods, you’re not just fueling yourself; you’re also creating a welcoming environment for your future little one.
Can acupuncture help with male fertility too?
Absolutely! When it comes to starting a family, male fertility issues are often overlooked. In fact, more than 50% of infertility cases are linked to male factors like low sperm count and quality. Here’s how acupuncture can help you on your journey to fatherhood:
- Increases blood flow to male reproductive organs
Improved circulation helps deliver essential nutrients and oxygen to the testes and related areas, supporting proper functioning–crucial for creating healthy sperm.
- Regulates hormones
Acupuncture can help stimulate the production and regulation of hormones needed for effective sperm production and overall reproductive health.
- Improves sperm quality and quantity
Treatments can boost sperm count, enhance motility (the ability of sperm to move), and improve morphology (sperm shape), all of which are vital for conception.
As a male Looking to Increase fertility, how often should i come in?
Since it takes about 75-90 days for sperm to fully develop, regular treatments over three months can help maximize your chances of contributing to a healthy pregnancy.
Testimonials:
“I’m so grateful that I found Paola. I started my sessions with Paola this summer, and went to her in hopes to get pregnant with our third baby. After two successful pregnancies and births, I had a miscarriage in 2023, so going into trying this time around, I knew I wanted some additional support both in the process of trying to conceive and also throughout my pregnancy. Paola is incredibly kind, caring, and my work with her helped me to not only get pregnant (very quickly I must say!) but also to feel less stress/anxiety, and overall balanced.
She is incredibly in tune with my body (and has taught me to be as well), and is always so thoughtful in her questions. Whenever I’ve had anything come up outside of my visits, she is so responsive and supportive over text as well.
I’m so happy to be in my 11th week of pregnancy and to have conceived so quickly in working with Paola! I cannot say enough things about the entire office. Amanda and the other team members are so warm and kind, and it’s been so easy to schedule visits with my busy work schedule,
I look forward to continuing my sessions throughout this pregnancy as well as postpartum. I’m so grateful to have found Paola as I truly feel like no matter what comes up in the future I have a partner in working through things with Paola!” -L.
“I’ve been seeing Paola for over two years, and she has guided me through so many different phases of life with incredible care and skill. I first found her after a miscarriage, and within two months of treatment, I went on to have a healthy pregnancy, labor, and postpartum period.” -A.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3962314/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8158119/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9750622/
https://www.reproductivefacts.org/globalassets/_rf/news-and-publications/bookletsfact-sheets/english-pdf/Acupuncture_and_infertility_treatment.pdf
