Acupuncture for pregnant women is a therapeutic measure, the effect of which is aimed at eliminating pain, discomfort, providing a general improvement in the condition of patients in a delicate position. It is performed exclusively on the recommendation of a doctor after familiarizing with the individual clinical picture, the presence of concomitant pathologies. The treatment scheme in this case is made individually for each patient, and the doctor throughout the course monitors both the condition of the woman and the effect of manipulation.
Now we will dwell in more detail on what conditions will be used acupuncture in pregnancy and after childbirth. We will highlight a number of restrictions on reflexology. We will describe how such treatment takes place.
Acupuncture in pregnancy: main indications
Acupuncture in pregnancy today is a fairly common and safe technique, which is widely used in France, Germany and other European countries. Gradually such a trend is spreading to Ukraine. The main indications for this procedure include:
- Early and late toxicosis. It is proven that in the first trimester of pregnancy reflexology is able to remove morning sickness, vomiting and malaise, migraine. It removes toxins that cause such manifestations – insufficient metabolism is improved; reduces fatigue, provides relaxation – improves the quality of life in general.
- Bladder abnormalities, back pain, and other problems provoked by the growth of the baby. They are often observed in the second trimester of pregnancy and are related to the increase in weight and size of the fetus. Acupuncture is also able to remove uterine tone.
- Irritability, frequent mood changes, depressive states, insomnia. In this case, the psycho-emotional state of the pregnant woman is normalized, which has a positive effect on both her general health and the condition of the fetus.
- Breech presentation of the baby, normalization of blood pressure, joint pain and other symptoms that are observed in the third trimester of pregnancy.
- Preparation for labor. Acupuncture for pregnant women can reduce pain during labor, and the process itself is easier, spontaneous and fast. In some cases, acupuncture is used to stimulate labor at 40-41 weeks of pregnancy.
- As a safer alternative to pharmacotherapy, acupuncture can also be an effective treatment option for pregnant women suffering from non-pregnancy related conditions such as gastritis, bronchitis, and others.
Studies show that this procedure can also be performed after childbirth, in particular to improve breast milk production, alleviate postpartum depression, control postpartum hemorrhage and so on.
But again, this therapy can only be performed under the careful supervision of a doctor and if there are no contraindications.
When acupuncture is not performed during pregnancy
In addition to the more than impressive list of indications, there are also a number of clinical conditions for which acupuncture during pregnancy is not performed:
- presence of benign and malignant neoplasms of various degrees;
- malformations in the development of the central nervous system;
- anemia, thrombosis, hemophilia and other diseases of the hematopoietic system;
- infectious condition, including different types of hepatitis;
- a number of pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
- excessive exhaustion or high body tension;
It should be understood that in some cases, reflexology is carried out solely to relieve symptoms and improve the general condition, while the treatment process itself will be transferred to the period after the birth of the baby. The appropriateness of such a procedure will be determined by a doctor after a comprehensive diagnosis of the patient’s condition.
Acupuncture in pregnancy: how the procedure is carried out
Given that acupuncture for pregnancy has a number of significant benefits for both the expectant mother and the fetus, the procedure is becoming increasingly popular in modern medical practice. In any case, it begins with a doctor’s consultation. At this stage, the reflexologist should make sure that you have no contraindications to the procedure. It is necessary to come to the appointment with an individual card of the pregnant woman or with a discharge from the hospital. The information provided here will allow the doctor to understand how the pregnancy is going, what problems and difficulties there are. In some cases, additional examinations may be prescribed. Expect that the obstetrician-gynecologist will issue a referral for acupuncture for pregnant women is not worth it, since such treatment in standardized protocols today is not provided. But the most progressive doctors can recommend the procedure.
If contraindications to reflexotherapy are not revealed, a schedule of conduct is drawn up. In terms of time, one session takes an average of 30-40 minutes. The procedure itself takes place in the following sequence:
- the patient assumes a comfortable position: often sitting or lying on her side;
- the doctor treats the area of exposure with antiseptics and introduces special needles into the active points: mainly hands, feet, ear lobes: may be accompanied by minor discomfort, a feeling of slight numbness;
- at the end of the procedure, the needles are removed and the skin is wiped again with an antiseptic solution.Literally immediately after completion of reflexology, you can go home. There are no adverse reactions from the body. Some women who have undergone the procedure, note a slight redness and numbness in the area of exposure. It will pass by itself in a few hours. The needle insertion site should not hurt.
Duration of acupuncture course
The number of acupuncture sessions for pregnant women, as well as the necessity or possibility of this procedure is determined by the doctor after getting acquainted with the clinical picture of the patient. Often a stable effect is achieved after 3-5 treatments. Each visit to the clinic will begin with the fact that the doctor will clarify the condition of the pregnant woman, find out whether the symptoms have changed after the previous session. In some cases, additional adjustments may be required in the future, including the number of treatments.
If you are interested in acupuncture for toxicosis, back pain and other pathological conditions associated with pregnancy, please contact the doctors of the medical center ” Prizma” in Kiev for additional consultations and professional help. Preliminary consultation can be obtained by phone or through online communication services. All further appointments will be made after the appointment with the doctor of the clinic.
