OB/GYN & Oriental Medicine
Oriental Medicine, like Western bio-medicine, has within its scope of practice a variety of
specialties, among these is Obstetrics and Gynecology. There are a wide range of effective
treatments for fertility support, generating a healthy pregnancy, supporting a natural birth,
and assisting in rapid recovery for both mother and child during the postpartum period.
FERTILITY
Infertility affects almost one in five couples in the United States today. Acupuncture has
been used for thousands of years to enhance both female and male fertility. Modern
research has confirmed that Oriental Medicine benefits the following:
- Regulates the Menstrual Cycle
- Stimulates Ovulation
- Balances the Endocrine System
- Corrects Hormonal Imbalances
- Increases Blood Flow in the Uterus
- Promotes a strong immune system
- Relieves Stress
- Increases Success Rates of In-Vitro Fertilization
It is recommended for women to receive a series of weekly acupuncture treatments for
approximately three months prior to conceiving, in order to regulate and strengthen the
body to support fertility and a healthy pregnancy. It is also very beneficial for couples who
are having difficulty conceiving, to receive weekly acupuncture treatments and chinese
herbs for at least three months. It is best to continue acupuncture regularly throughout
the pregnancy, especially the first trimester, in order to assist the body in retaining the
pregnancy. Acupuncture can also be used to compliment IVF or other fertility treatments and there
are various studies that show that it can greatly increase the chances of pregnancy and
decrease the chances of miscarriage. This combination of treatments is becoming more
widely used and recognized for the treatment of infertility. When used alone, however,
acupuncture is probably most effective in treating functional problems, like irregular
ovulation, rather than a structural problem, like a blockage in the sperm ducts.
PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
Oriental Medicine can benefit both the health of the mother and the baby during
pregnancy. It helps to prevent complications and can enhance the development of the
fetus organs. It can help to decrease maternal toxins which helps in the preventative
treatment of childhood illness after the baby is born. Additionally, oriental medicine is very
successful in reducing habitual miscarriages, morning sickness, fatigue, migraines/
headaches, heartburn, hemorrhoids, edema, back pain, sciatica, stress and emotional issues
for the mother during the pregnancy.
In Childbirth acupuncture can optimize labor conditions. This is a safe way to naturally
induce labor (when the woman is in at least the 39th week of pregnancy), assist in pain
relief, boost energy and support a smooth, healthy childbirth. It also reduces the risk of
unnecessary interventions and emergency Cesarean births.
General Treatment Schedule Guideline: (we offer packages for each trimester)
1st trimester (onset -14): weekly one hour treatments.
This is the time in the pregnancy where growth of the fetus is very rapid, and is also the
time where the pregnancy can be most fragile. The heart starts beating, the cells rapidly
divide and grow, fetal circulation and the kidneys start to function, and the placenta
implants itself to the uterus, among many other things. In Chinese medicine (differently
from Western medicine), there is a corresponding organ and emotional/behavioral/
spiritual quality that is developing in the baby for each month of the pregnancy, and there
are treatments created to support the growth of each of these phases. This is the time for
the development of the Liver, Gallbladder, Heart and the Triple Burner.
Since there is so much happening during this trimester, it is one of the most important
times to be getting acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture can encourage circulation and
blood flow to the uterus to support the growth of the fetus as well as the implantation of
the placenta, which in turn will help to prevent miscarriages. It can also help with
symptoms that the mother may be experiencing at this time such as morning sickness
and fatigue.
2nd trimester (weeks 15-28): one hour treatments once a month.
During the second trimester the fetus is developing its skeletal system, as well as the
smaller more detailed structures, like eyes, nose, and nails. By week 24 most of the body
systems are functional and the links between nerves and muscles are established. In
Chinese medicine this is the developmental phase of the Triple Burner, spleen, stomach,
and lungs.
Treatments once a month during this trimester are great to continue to support the
baby's growth
3rd trimester (weeks 29-36) - one hour treatments two times a month and
(weeks 36-40) one hour treatments once a week.
During the third trimester the baby is now eight times bigger than at three months and
has increased in weight by 600 times. During the last month is also when the lungs finish
forming. In Chinese medicine this is the corresponding time to the Large Intestines,
Kidneys, and Bladder. Acupuncture is very helpful for treating discomfort and various
symptoms for the mother during this trimester, such as edema, heartburn, fatigue etc.
Additionally it can help to turn a fetus if not positioned correctly and is very good for
supporting the body to prepare for labor and childbirth.
Birth/Labor: Acupuncture and acutonics are very effective to use to: induce labor (after
39 wks), support smooth progression and transitions into the different stages of labor,
help with pain management, and overall support a smooth and healthy labor and birth
experience.
When set up in advance, we offer the service of going on site to your home or hospital
to give you treatments of acupuncture and/or acutonics, and assist in any or all of your
stages of labor and birth.
POSTPARTUM:
During the postpartum period it is crucial for the mother to have support in her
recovery, and acupuncture and chinese herbs can do that. In addition to accelerating the
healing process after a vaginal birth or cesarean birth, chinese medicine can help to
restore the mother's energy levels and increase her milk supply. It can also be used to
prevent postpartum depression and regulate the menstrual cycle. It is recommended to
receive weekly treatments for at least 3 - 6 months after childbirth. This can support the
body to recuperate from the pregnancy and birth as well as give back nourishment to the
body that is spent on caring for your new baby.
We offer a postpartum package that includes 4 once a week home visits during the first
month after birth, and then once a week one hour treatments in the spa for the following
2 months after.
ARE ACUPUNCTURE AND HERBS SAFE IN PREGNANCY?
There are specific herbs and acupuncture points that are contraindicated during
pregnancy. But when using the right herbs and acupuncture points the results are
beneficial for both mother and baby and are very safe. Our licensed acupuncturists are
well trained in chinese medicine in the treatment of pregnancy.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN A TREATMENT:
The first treatment lasts 60-90 minutes to allow for time to consult and diagnose, in
addition to the treatment. The following treatments typically last one hour. We use singleuse
sterile needles in our acupuncture clinic. Needles are gently inserted into specific
acupuncture points, and they are left in for 20-45min while you rest. Beds are positioned
to properly support a pregnancy. We recommend wearing loose comfortable clothing
and to have eaten at least one hour ahead of time. Please arrive 15 minutes before your
appointment with your paperwork completed.
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