Pregnancy Support
Morning Sickness > Heartburn > Threatened Miscarriage > Edema > Constipation > Hemorrhoids >
> Pain Management > Mental Health Support
Morning Sickness
Condition: Morning Sickness occurs when a woman experiences nausea and vomiting while pregnant. It is common in the first trimester, however it can last the entire pregnancy for some.
TCM Approach: Nausea and vomiting in Morning Sickness is seen as Qi going in the wrong direction, aka Rebellious Qi. The Stomach is also addressed simultaneously via an approach called Harmonizing; harmonizing the Stomach is thought to pacify the nausea as well.
Proposed Treatment: Treating morning sickness is done primarily through acupuncture. A 45 minute acupuncture follow-up would be ideal. The treatment plan would consist of bi-weekly or weekly treatments until the Morning Sickness ceases. Advice regarding nutrition, would be dispensed as well.
Heartburn
Condition: Heartburn is a common ailment experienced during pregnancy; as the baby grows it can press on the stomach causing discomfort. Hormonal changes, diet and stress can also contribute to pregnancy heartburn.
TCM Approach: Understanding whether the heartburn is caused by an Excess, for example the Stomach being too Hot or from a Deficiency, meaning the Stomach is fragile, will determine the acupuncture treatment and nutritional advice.
Proposed Treatment: Depending upon the trimester and the level of discomfort, a series of acupuncture treatments on its own or acupuncture combined with cupping can be beneficial in alleviating heartburn. A 45 or 60 minute acupuncture treatment done as needed until the heartburn is quelled is typical. Lifestyle and dietary tweaks maybe suggested to bolster the effects of the treatment
Threatened Miscarriage
Condition:Threatened Miscarriage is a collection of signs and symptoms, usually but not always, experienced during the first three months of pregnancy. This can include vaginal bleeding, backache, abdominal pain and a bearing-down sensation.
TCM Approach: Threatened Miscarriage is a Western Medical diagnosis that has also been observed in TCM gynaecology, known as Restless Fetus. The treatment protocol is to nourish the Qi of the baby, while strengthening the Qi of the Mother. By tonifying the Mother’s Kidneys, Qi and Blood, this will hopefully help the baby as well.
Proposed Treatment: In this situation, treatments are gentle and frequent. Acupuncture, with the use of moxibustion, can be a powerful combination to stabilize the pregnancy by enhancing the Mother’s Qi and Blood. Bi-weekly or even tri-weekly 45 minute acupuncture follow-up sessions would be ideal in this case.
Edema & Swelling
Condition: As the baby grows, pressure from its weight along with the excess fluids created in pregnancy can result in Edema and Swelling. This swelling can be localized to certain areas like the feet or be seen throughout the body. As a woman nears her due date, this can often cause the swelling to get worse. Hot weather can also exacerbate pregnancy swelling.
TCM Approach: TCM pays close attention to where the Swelling or Edema is occurring; is it mostly below the knees, just the feet or is it the whole body including the face? Even subtleties such as, pitting versus non-pitting are diagnostic tools determining how to treat swelling in pregnancy.
Proposed Treatment: A combination of acupuncture and cupping, gua sha or tuina massage can help to dispel this excess fluid by moving stagnant Qi. Edema and swelling responds well to bodywork, especially in the last trimester where movement may be impaired. If it is comfortable for the pregnant person, a 60 minute follow-up treatment would be ideal; frequency depends upon how quickly the swelling dissipates.
Constipation
Condition: Constipation is a very common complaint during pregnancy. As progesterone increases, it relaxes the bowels, which causes them to become slack. The peristaltic action of the bowels, or the squeezing and moving effect it has on pushing out stool has become weak.
TCM Approach: A combination of strengthening the bodies Blood and Qi, while gently encouraging the Qi to move can help get the bowels back on track. Moving Qi also has the added effect of reducing stress; not being regular can have a direct effect on our mood.
Proposed Treatment: A short, 45 minute acupuncture treatment done bi-weekly or weekly until the bowels begin to flow on their own is an ideal treatment approach. Incorporating gentle exercise like walking and stretching, while also addressing any dietary issues is a multifaceted approach to relieving constipation.
Hemorrhoids
Condition: Hemorrhoids are a result of congestion in the pelvic veins which can cause rectal discomfort, pain, anal bleeding and itching. In pregnancy, the baby’s growth with each trimester creates pressure on the pelvic veins; this is compounded if constipation is also an issue. The force needed in labour can also put considerable pressure on the pelvic veins resulting in Hemorrhoids as well.
TCM Approach: When Hemorrhoids appear, whether during pregnancy or after childbirth, any Heat or Dampness must be cleared to relieve the itching or bleeding associated with Hemorrhoids. Replenishing the bodies Qi and Blood while also moving Qi are all considerations especially if there is constipation involved or if the Hemorrhoids have appeared postpartum.
Proposed Treatment:This is a relatively painless approach to a very common and uncomfortable issue. The 45 or 60 minute follow-up treatments would be appropriate, coming in weekly until the condition subsides. Cupping can be incorporated to clear any Heat and relieve any tension the pain might be causing. By utilizing acupuncture, the Hemorrhoids can be treated indirectly in a comfortable and discreet way.
Pain Management
Condition: Muscular pain can occur during pregnancy. Everything from leg cramps, back pain and sciatica can be a result of a woman’s changing body. Sometimes attributed to hormones, muscular pain can be difficult to treat during pregnancy as pain medications are generally avoided.
TCM Approach: Acupuncture is a safe way to find relief from the common aches and pains attributed to pregnancy. Pain is caused when our Qi and Blood are not flowing smoothly. The needles are used locally to pinpoint the areas experiencing pain, but also indirectly, accessing acupuncture points that calm the nervous system. By helping the Qi to flow, the aim is to relieve pain and improve the overall mood of the pain sufferer.
Proposed Treatment: Acupuncture along with cupping, gua sha and/or tuina massage can be used to treat body pain. A longer treatment, such as the 60 minute follow-up would be ideal as this will allow enough time to employ a variety of techniques to glean the best results. Frequency depends upon the success of previous treatments; it may take 1 to 4 treatments to feel relief depending upon the individual and the nature of the pain.
Mental Health Support